Get Certified at the Y
The Y is an official provider of American Red Cross lifeguard certifications and recertifications. Registration is open to Y members and the general public. If you have a question about a course, please CONTACT US.
AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING + OXYGEN
The American Red Cross Lifeguarding + O2 course provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.
Participants who successfully complete the Lifeguarding course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.
To take the Lifeguard Certification course, you must be at least 15 years old and successfully complete a pre-course swim assessment on the first day. If you do not pass the pre-course assessment, a 50% course refund will be issued.
PRE-COURSE SWIM ASSESSMENT
Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
- Swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on your back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
- Then, tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs.
- Then, swim 50 yards using the same strokes (front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both).
Timed Event
Complete a timed event in 1 minute and 40 seconds:
- Starting in the water, swimming 20 yards without goggles;
- Then, dive 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object;
- Then, swim back 20 yards on your back while holding the object with both hands keeping your face at or near the surface;
- Finally, exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING + OXYGEN RECERTIFICATION
The American Red Cross Lifeguarding +O2 Review is an abbreviated Lifeguarding course to recertify current or expired (by no more than 30 days) certifications. It briefly reviews course information and allows practice of skills and knowledge before testing. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, which is valid for 2 years.
To take the Lifeguard Recertification course, you must be at least 15 years old and successfully complete a pre-course swim assessment on the first day. If you do not pass the pre-course assessment, a 50% course refund will be issued.
PRE-COURSE SWIM ASSESSMENT
Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
- Swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on your back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
- Then, tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs.
- Then, swim 50 yards using the same strokes (front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both).
Timed Event
Complete a timed event in 1 minute and 40 seconds:
- Starting in the water, swimming 20 yards without goggles;
- Then, dive 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object;
- Then, swim back 20 yards on your back while holding the object with both hands keeping your face at or near the surface;
- Finally, exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING INSTRUCTOR
The Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor course trains lifeguarding instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Blended Learning, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training. Please Note: To teach Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding instructors must possess a basic-level Waterfront Skills certificate.
To take the Lifeguarding Instructor course, you must be at least 17 years old and successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario. This evaluation covers key skills, including entry, swimming approach, deep water surface dive (7 to 10 feet), passive submerged rescue, rapid extrication with assistance, rapid assessment, and three minutes of single-rescuer CPR. If you do not pass the pre-course assessment, a 50% course refund will be issued.
During the skill practice and polish session, you'll be expected to demonstrate instructor-level proficiency in selected skills and one scenario. You should be able to perform each skill to standard or make quick corrections with minimal guidance. To prepare, review the relevant videos, skill sheets, and the Skill Chart and Skill Assessment Tools from the basic Lifeguarding program (revision 24).
In this session, you will practice and demonstrate proficiency in entries and approaches, active and passive rescues at the surface, passive submerged rescues in various depths, feet-first and head-first surface dives in deep water, rapid extrication using a backboard, two-rescuer adult CPR with AED, spinal motion restriction and extrication in shallow water, and the Multiple-Rescuer Team Response Scenario 3 involving an adult passive submerged victim.
AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING INSTRUCTOR & INSTRUCTOR TRAINER RECERTIFICATION
This in-person Instructor and Instructor Trainer Review is the required course for all Lifeguarding Instructors and Instructor Trainers to recertify. During this course, Lifeguarding Instructors and Instructor Trainers will participate in an in-water practice and polish skills session, in addition to a classroom-based review of American Red Cross administrative policies and procedures.
When registering, please note in the Accommodation Request section if you are a Lifeguarding Instructor or Instructor Trainer.
PREREQUISITE
- Minimum age of 17 years
- Valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer Certification
- Possess printed copies of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer’s Guide, Lifeguarding Instructor’s Manual and Participant’s Manual