Lifeguarding (Ages 15+)

Lifeguarding (Ages 15+)

When you become a lifeguard, you are like a superhero! These courses provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over.

Lifeguard Certification

Niebur
3/7/25 - 5/29/25
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***Please schedule a prerequisite test with the aquatics office after signing up***

Two swimming skills prerequisites evaluate overall swimming strength, endurance & comfort in the water, and the ability to meet the time requirements.

  •  Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:
    • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front
      crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not
      permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)
    • Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only
      the legs
    • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both
  • Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim
      goggles are not allowed).
    • Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 – 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound
      object.
    • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point,
      holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the
      surface.
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

If a candidate is not successful on the first attempt, there is only one opportunity to reattempt the prerequisites after sufficient rest. Entry into the Red Cross Lifeguarding course is strictly limited to those who meet the minimum age requirement and successfully complete the prerequisite swimming skills evaluation. Failure to have attained the appropriate skill level could pose a safety threat to the class and the individual. This class will certify individuals who successfully complete the prerequisite and successfully complete the course. Lifeguard Candidates must be 15 yrs of age on or before the course end date. The course consists of both written and performance tests.

This will be a hybrid course, so there will be an online portion of the class that needs to be completed before class. You will gain access to the online portion after completing the course prerequisites (which will be scheduled by the aquatics director no later than a week after signing up). You MUST be present at ALL in person classes/dates to earn your lifeguard certificate. 

*if interested in working for the YMCA, please call 618-656-0436 or email Gunnar Kohlbrecher at [email protected]!


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
12/1/24
@ 06:00 AM
12/31/25 Online / Front Desk $ 275.00$ 350.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Minimum Deposit
03/07/25 - 03/09/25
Friday- 5-9, Saturday- 8-5, Sunday- 8-5 - Su,Fr,Sa
$ 45.00 Waiting List  
03/16/25 - 04/06/25
4 Sundays 12pm-5pm - Su - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
$ 45.00 Waiting List  
05/16/25 - 05/18/25
Friday- 5-9, Saturday- 8-5, Sunday- 8-5 - Su,Fr,Sa
$ 45.00 Register  
Closes
05/09/2025
05/27/25 - 05/29/25
Tuesday-Thursday 9-4 - Tu,We,Th
$ 45.00 Register  
Closes
05/20/2025

Lifeguard Instructor Certification

Niebur
2/21/25 - 2/23/25
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Course Purpose
The purpose of the American Red Cross r. 24 Lifeguarding Instructor course is to train instructor
candidates to teach the basic-level courses in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program.

Course Prerequisites

  • Be at least 17 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding Instructor
    course.
  • Possess a current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep
    Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. (Note: r.17 Lifeguarding
    certification accepted)
  • Obtain instructor and participant course materials before starting the course.
  • Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course prior to the
    precourse session.
  • Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario to continue in the course. The
    prerequisite skill assessment scenario evaluates the following skills (completed during class):

    • Entry
    • Swimming approach
    • Surface dive in deep water (7 to 10 feet)
    • Passive submerged rescue
    • Rapid extrication (with an assisting rescuer)
    • Rapid assessment
    • Single-rescuer CPR (3 minutes)

Course Length
The Lifeguarding Instructor course is delivered in a blended learning format, consisting of an online
session (completed independently by the candidate) and in-person sessions (led by an American Red
Cross–certified instructor trainer).

Certification
Candidates who successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor course will be issued the following
American Red Cross certificate: Lifeguarding Instructor, valid for 2 years.

Any candidate with a current r17 Lifeguarding certificate will also be issued a r24 Lifeguarding certificate, and be charged an additional fee of $50.

To maintain the Lifeguarding Instructor certification, the instructor must successfully complete the
Lifeguarding Instructor Recertification blended learning course within the 2-year certification period.

If the instructor certification is expired, the instructor is eligible to participate in the Lifeguarding
Instructor Recertification course for up to, but no longer than, 1 year past the Lifeguarding instructor
certification expiration date. This 1-year grace period applies only to achieving recertification. It does
not extend the instructor certification and the instructor may not teach courses during this time.


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
12/1/24
@ 06:00 AM
2/21/25 Online / Front Desk $ 375.00$ 375.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Minimum Deposit
02/21/25 - 02/23/25
Friday- 5-9, Saturday- 8-5, Sunday- 8-5 - Su,Fr,Sa
$ 90.00 Waiting List  

Lifeguard Recertification

Niebur
3/15/25 - 5/3/25
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Individuals with a current lifeguarding/first aid/cpr/aed or shallow water lifeguarding/ first aid/cpr/aed certificate may participate in a review course. Must be current to date of class.

Allowing individuals the opportunity to review the course content within a formal course setting. The review course format optimizes a participant’s ability to successfully complete the knowledge and skills evaluations. The review course will consist of all prerequisites for the Lifeguard Class, as well as the written final exams and in water skill evaluation. The responsibility for preparing for the final written exam is that of the participant.

The re-certification course is for those who currently have an American Red Cross Lifeguard certificate nearing its expiration date. You must attend all in-person class dates to earn your lifeguard certificate.

Please contact Gunnar Kohlbrecher- Aquatics Director at [email protected]!


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Winter 1 Open Registration 1/1/25
@ 06:00 AM
12/31/25 Online / Front Desk $ 150.00$ 190.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
03/15/25
Sa - 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Waiting List  
04/19/25
Sa - 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Register  
Closes
04/16/2025
05/03/25
Sa - 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Register  
Closes
04/30/2025