Lifeguarding

OVERVIEW
The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

PREREQUISITES
Entry into the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is strictly limited to those who meet the minimum age requirement and have successfully completed the prerequisite skills evaluation. Failure to have attained the appropriate skill level could pose a safety threat to themselves and to others in the class.

Participants in the Lifeguarding program must be 18 years of age on or before the last scheduled session of the course.
If a candidate is not successful on the first attempt at the prerequisite skills, they only have one more opportunity to meet the prerequisites after sufficient rest, prior to the first scheduled class session.

If the candidate does not successfully perform any of the prerequisite skills, suggest appropriate developmental training opportunities and explain the specific skills that the individual needs to improve to be eligible to participate in the Lifeguarding course in the future.

PREREQUISITE SKILLS
Swim 300 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.

Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.

Complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds:
Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, to a depth of 7 to 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface in order to breathe (or to get a breath). Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
COURSE LENGTH
27.5 Hours