Want To Become a Lifeguard? Certification and Training

Becoming a lifeguard requires specific training and certification. You must meet a minimum age requirement, typically 15 years, and pass a swimming skills test. The process involves enrolling in a lifeguard certification course that teaches important lifesaving techniques, first aid, and CPR. Successful completion of the training program results in certification.

What Does It Take to Become a Lifeguard?

Ever wondered what it really takes to wear that whistle? It’s more than just a summer job; it’s a serious commitment to water safety and lifeguarding. The responsibility can feel huge. Your main job is to prevent accidents and be ready to save lives in dangerous situations. To even start your journey toward a lifeguard certification, you must meet a minimum age, usually 15.

You also need strong swimming skills. Think about Maria, a 16-year-old from Miami. She was a solid swimmer but was initially terrified by the weight of the job. She knew becoming a good lifeguard meant being constantly vigilant. Her first lifeguard training class was intense, but this comprehensive training built the confidence she needed. A good lifeguard needs focus. Dedication. This training is the first step in a rewarding career where your primary goal is protecting others. The skills and training you receive are paramount for all lifeguards. It’s a challenging but vital job.

Choosing the Right Lifeguard Certification Program

• Provider Recognition: Is it a major provider like the Red Cross or ALA?
• Course Format: Do you prefer all in-person training or a blended online course?
• Schedule and Location: Does the class fit your life and is it easy to get to?
• All-Inclusive Cost: Does the price cover the book, mask, and certification fees?

Take David, 18, from Chicago. He chose an American Red Cross certification program because a facility near him offered a weekend-intensive class that fit his school schedule perfectly. A quality lifeguard training course is your foundation. Don’t just pick the first one you see.

The Lifeguard Training Course: Skills You Will Master

What will you actually learn in a lifeguard training course? It’s an intense experience designed to make you a capable first responder. You’ll move beyond basic swimming and dive deep into lifesaving techniques. When a swimmer is in distress, your training has to kick in instantly. You’ll learn critical skills.

• Active Victim Rescues: Using a rescue tube to safely approach and secure a struggling swimmer.
• Submerged Victim Recovery: Performing surface dives to retrieve a person from the bottom.
• Spinal Injury Management: Using a backboard to immobilize a potential neck or back injury victim.
• First Aid Application: Handling everything from cuts and scrapes to serious medical issues.
• CPR and AED Use: Mastering procedures for adult, child, and infant cardiac emergencies.

But here’s what shocks most people: a huge part of your lifeguard training focuses on what happens out of the water. This isn’t just a quick overview of first aid and CPR; it’s comprehensive training essential for handling aquatic emergencies at swimming pools or a busy water park. The entire lifeguarding course is about building muscle memory to save lives.

Passing the Test: The Physical and Written Exams

Let’s talk about the test. Every lifeguard certification course concludes with qualifying exams to prove you have the skills. First, you’ll face a prerequisite swimming test just to get into the main course, often a 300-yard swim using front crawl or breaststroke. Then comes the real challenge: the timed event. Picture it: swim 20 yards, perform a surface dive to get a ten-pound brick, swim back holding it, and exit the pool. It’s exhausting. You’ll also need to tread water for two minutes using only the legs. And it’s not just physical. You must pass a written exam with an 80% or better. This written test covers everything from water safety to first aid. Successfully complete these tests, and you’re on your way to becoming a certified lifeguard.

Below is a summary of the typical physical skills test requirements for a standard American Red Cross lifeguard certification course, which is a crucial part of lifeguard training.

Skill / Event	Requirement Details	Purpose
Prerequisite Swim	300-yard continuous swim using front crawl or breaststroke.	Demonstrates baseline swimming endurance.
Tread Water	Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Hands must be under armpits.	Shows ability to stay afloat without hands.
Timed Event	Swim 20 yards, surface dive to retrieve a 10lb brick, return 20 yards, and exit water.	Simulates a rescue and victim recovery.
Surface Dive	Feet-first or head-first surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet.	Required for retrieving a submerged victim.
CPR/AED Skills	Demonstrate proficiency on adult, child, and infant manikins.	Prepares for cardiac aquatic emergencies.
First Aid Skills	Demonstrate bandaging, splinting, and care for various injuries.	Ensures comprehensive aid capability.
Written Exam	Score at least 80% on the final written test covering all course material.	Confirms theoretical knowledge.

Source: Data compiled from American Red Cross lifeguard training program guidelines.

The Cost of Lifeguard Certification: A Smart Investment

How much does all this training cost? The cost of a lifeguard certification varies, but you should expect to invest between $200 and $500. It’s an investment in a skill set that not only provides a great job but empowers you to save lives. Here’s what that fee for your training program typically covers:

• Expert Instruction: Access to certified instructors for hands-on skills training.
• Course Materials: Your official lifeguard training textbook and other resources.
• Essential Equipment: A CPR pocket mask required for the course and the job.
• Certification Fees: The final cost to issue your American Red Cross or ALA certification.

Always ask what’s included in the lifeguard classes you’re considering. Many organizations looking to hire lifeguards, like local community pools, sometimes even reimburse the cost of the course for their employees. This training and certification are your ticket to a rewarding job.

Life as a Certified Lifeguard: Job Opportunities and Environments

You passed the test. You’re a certified lifeguard. Now what? The fun part begins: finding a job! Your lifeguard certification opens doors to many aquatic environments. The most common job is at local swimming pools, but you can think bigger. Water parks are always looking for vigilant lifeguards to monitor everything from the shallow water of a lazy river to the chaos of a wave pool. It’s a high-energy job. There are also opportunities at beaches and community waterfronts.

Each environment presents unique challenges. This is where your comprehensive training shines. Your job as a lifeguard is to adapt. Take Sarah, who got her first job at a city pool. The next summer, she was at a massive water park. “The core lifeguarding skills were the same,” she said, “but the intensity was on another level.” It’s a dynamic and rewarding career.

Maintaining Your Certification and Advancing Your Skills

Your lifeguard certification has an expiration date. It’s not one-and-done. Most certifications, including those from the American Red Cross, are valid for two years. Skills get rusty and first aid guidelines evolve. To remain a certified lifeguard, you must successfully complete a recertification course. These courses are shorter and cheaper than the initial lifeguarding course, designed to review and practice your critical skills. Think of it as a tune-up for your abilities. But don’t just stop there.

Being a great lifeguard means committing to learning. You can take advanced training for specific environments like waterfronts or water parks. These additional certifications make you a more valuable lifeguard and open up more job opportunities. Maintaining your training and skills isn’t just a requirement; it’s the mark of a true professional. It means you’re always ready.

Typical Questions

Checkout common questions below.