During this class, participants will learn life-saving rescue skills for an Aquatic Environment. Once a participant takes the classes and passes the skills and written test, they will be certified as a YMCA Lifeguard for 2 years.
Lifeguard Course Prerequisites
Minimum age of 15 by the last day of the scheduled course. Those under the age of 18 must have parental consent to participate in the course.
Pass the following Physical Competency Requirements (conducted in class on first day or prior to the first day):
- Phase 1 –
- Swim 100 yards of front crawl
- Swim 100 yards of breaststroke
- Swim 50 yards of each of the following: Front crawl with head up; Breaststroke with the head up; Elementary backstroke kick with hands on the chest/stomach
- Phase 2 - Tread water for two minutes without arms
- Phase 3 (No Goggles) - Combined Skills Event
- Participants start in the water at one end of the pool.
- Sprint for approximately 60 feet (20 yards), and then perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in 7 to 10 (5,6, or 7 feet for Shallow Water) feet of water (or maximum depth of training facility).
- Pick up an object (dive ring) from the bottom or surface of the pool, hold the object with both hands, and tread water for at least one minute, using your legs only.
- Swim the remaining length of the pool on your back, holding the object with both hands. Place the object on the deck and hoist yourself out of water.
- Immediately begin compressions on an adult mannequin for one minute or 100 compressions.
- Scan and recognize. Your instructor will give verbal directions to complete the remaining tasks after compressions.
Must Be Able To Accomplish These Tasks
- Remain alert, with no lapses in consciousness
- Sit for extended periods, including in an elevated chair
- Move to various locations, including in and around an elevated chair
- Communicate verbally, including projecting the voice across distances
- Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment
- Observe all areas of the aquatic environment
- Perform all needed rescues and survival skills
- Think in the abstract, solve problems, make decisions, instruct, evaluate, supervise, and remember
- Will possess the skills to operate alone as a lifeguard, with or without other lifeguard support.