Certification classes are offered through swim clubs, local YMCAs, universities, town sponsored classes and private lifesaving services. There is no set schedule or season for lifeguarding courses, and many are available on the weekend.
The basic requirements for becoming a lifeguard are being 15 years of age or older, able to swim 300 yards continually, and to retrieve and swim 20 yards with a 10-pound object using a surface dive.
The lifeguard course teaches proper methods of rescuing a person from the water, how to tell if a person is in distress and how to use pool equipment such as lifesaving rings and backboards. Water quality and care are also covered.
Lifeguard certification includes CPR and First Aid training.
There are two parts of lifeguard testing: an in-water exam and a written exam. In order to pass the written exam, a person must score an 80% or better, which means they understand emergency management skills in an aquatics setting. The in-water practice test includes being able to throw a line accurately, be able to complete multiple active and passive rescues, complete both a compact jump and shallow dive to rescue a victim and perform various rescue techniques such as backboarding and walking assists. A CPR and First Aid test is also administered.
Lifeguard Training and First Aid certificates are valid for 3 years. CPR certification is for 1 year.
Once certified as a lifeguard, other training and certifications are available such as Water Safety Instructor (WSI), Waterfront, Water park, Management, and Open Water Lifesaving. If you want to work at a beach or teach swimming further certification is required beyond the Lifeguard Training course.