Image of a Lifeguard holding a Red Cross lifeguard rescue tube, sitting, and watching a pool full of people swimming laps.

Lifeguard Preparation

Become a certified lifeguard through the American Red Cross lifeguard training and certification program, including First Aid and CPR/AED training to how to conduct patron surveillance, water rescue, teamwork and communication skills. Throughout the course you will learn the knowledge and skills required to become a professional lifeguard.

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American Red Cross trained lifeguard watching swimmers in a pool.

Becoming a Lifeguard

The American Red Cross requires important prerequisites to the lifeguarding course. A participant must be at least 15 years old on or before the last day of class and pass course specific swimming prerequisites prior to the start of training. Our science-backed Lifeguarding Program r.24 curriculum is unmatched. The program has a focus on skills development so you can master critical lifesaving skills in less classroom time.

Courses and Preparation / Ways to Learn:

In-person (Classroom only) course:
Created for those who prefer a traditional learning environment, our in-person courses are led by Red Cross certified Lifeguarding instructors. Our in-person courses provide the time you need to learn, practice, ask questions and understand the hands-on skills needed to become certified as a lifeguard.

Blended learning:
Designed for those who need more flexibility, our blended learning option combines online learning with in-person sessions where you will practice skills and demonstrate competency.

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Training to become a lifeguard by checking vital signs of a person.

Training Options

There are three main training options to choose from when preparing to become a lifeguard. Training options feature three core courses which can be customized with a variety of optional add-on modules:

  • Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water)
  • Shallow Water Lifeguarding (water up to 5’, 6’ and 7’ deep)
  • Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding (water up to 3' deep)

A 2-year certification in Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid is issued upon successful completion of our training and coursework. A digital certification is available upon completion.

Materials:
The American Red Cross requires all participants o have access to a print or digital (eBook) Lifeguarding Manual while taking the Lifeguarding course. A complimentary Lifeguarding participant manual eBook will also be available to registered class participants.

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What to Expect

Getting Started:

You have either enrolled in an instructor-led or blended learning lifeguarding class. If you enrolled in a blended learning class, your instructor will provide directions to access and complete your online session.

At the beginning of the first in-person session, your instructor will verify your identity and age and conduct a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation. The prerequisite swimming skills evaluation will vary based on the lifeguarding certification course you are taking. It consists of swimming, treading water and a timed swimming event. See the table below for specific details.

American Red Cross Rescue Tube

Swimming

Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:

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.

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Swimming

Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 50 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, floating, or both.
  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.

Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 50 seconds:

  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.)
  • Submerge to a depth of 4 - 7 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and walk or 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.

Note: If the Shallow Water Lifeguarding course includes training for the Waterpark Skills module, no additional prerequisite swimming distances or skills are required.

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Swimming

Complete the water competency sequence without stopping:

  • Step into water from the side and totally submerge.
  • Maintain position for 1 minute by treading water or floating (or a combination of the two).
  • Rotate one full turn and orient to the exit.
  • Level off and swim on the front or back 25 yards.
  • Exit without using a ladder or steps.

Treading Water

N/A

Timed Event

Complete a timed event within 50 seconds without stopping.

  • Starting in the water, walk or swim 20 yards.
  • Return to the surface and walk or swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object at the surface of the water.
  • Exit the water without using steps or a ladder.

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Waterfront Skills Module

Successfully complete the three prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 350 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 200 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.

Prerequisite 3: Complete an underwater swim:

  • Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 – 7 feet of water.
  • Resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards.

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Shallow Water Lifeguarding (5, 6, or 7 feet) or Waterpark Skills

Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 50 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, floating, or both.
  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.

Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 50 seconds:

  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.)
  • Submerge to a depth of 4 - 7 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and walk or 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.

Note: If the Shallow Water Lifeguarding course includes training for the Waterpark Skills module, no additional prerequisite swimming distances or skills are required.

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* If you are unable to successfully perform any of the prerequisite skills, you will not be eligible to enter the Lifeguarding class. Contact your instructor or training provider for further development and training opportunities to prepare for a future lifeguarding class.

Lifeguarding Course Overview

After successfully completing the prerequisite swimming skills evaluation you will alternate between the classroom and water as you learn and practice lifeguarding and First Aid/CPR/AED skills. Course lengths vary by class; the table below contains the minimum time required for an American Red Cross Lifeguarding course, not including breaks for transitions, rest, and meals. The amount of time to complete the online course for recertification will vary by individual. The blended learning recertification course allows for the individual to test out of online content, resulting in shorter online course times.

Course Delivery Format Minimum Length
Lifeguarding (including Deep Water) Instructor-led 27 hours, 25 minutes in-person
Lifeguarding (including Deep Water) Blended About 6 hours online, 21 hours and 30 minutes in-person
Shallow Water Lifeguarding (up to 5’, 6’, or 7’) Instructor-led 27 hours, 25 minutes
Shallow Water Lifeguarding (up to 5’, 6’, or 7’) Blended About 6 hours online, 27 hours and 30 minutes in-person
Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding (equal to or less than 3’) Instructor-led 26 hours, 35 minutes
Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding (equal to or less than 3’) Blended About 6 hours online, 20 hours and 40 minutes in-person
Lifeguarding Recertification Instructor-led 9 hours, 15 minutes
Lifeguarding Recertification Blended Online time will vary based on ability to test out of content. 9 hours, 15 minutes for in-person
Shallow Water Lifeguarding Recertification Instructor-led 9 hours, 15 minutes
Shallow Water Lifeguarding Recertification (Blended) Blended Online time will vary based on ability to test out of content. 9hours, 15 minutes
Waterfront Skills (Instructor-led) Instructor-led 6 hours
Waterpark Skills (Instructor-led) Instructor-led 4 hours, 15 minutes
Waterpark Skills Recertification (Instructor-led) Instructor-led 2 hours, 35 minutes
Waterfront Skills Recertification (Instructor-led) Instructor-led 2 hours

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More About the Course

Red Cross Lifeguarding classes employ a variety of methods to deliver consistent, high-quality instruction and accurate information. To help you learn new information, build correct psychomotor skills, and develop decision-making and problem-solving skills, a variety of interactive activities are integrated into the course along with:

The Lifeguarding Manual – all participants must have a Lifeguarding Manual during class. Your instructor will either provide the manual at the beginning of class or provide instructions for you to obtain your own manual. A complementary Lifeguarding Participant Manual eBook is permitted at the discretion of the instructor and requires a laptop or tablet to view the manual.

Videos – you will watch a variety of videos during class to help convey important information about key concepts and skills including:

  • Professionalism
  • Surveillance
  • Scanning
  • Injury Prevention
  • Responding to Emergencies
  • Water Rescue and Rapid Extrication Skills
  • Lowering the Risk for Infection
  • Rapid Assessment
  • Giving Ventilations Using Resuscitation Masks and Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitators
  • CPR/AED Skills
  • First Aid and Responding to Sudden Illnesses
  • Responding to Injuries Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries

Skill demonstrations and course activities – you will learn and practice individual and team response skills including how to:

  • Recognize drowning, conduct surveillance, and respond to emergencies
  • Enter the water and approach a drowning person
  • Rescue a drowning person at the surface and submerged on the bottom
  • Extricate (remove) a person from the water and provide care
  • Provide ventilations using a resuscitation mask and a bag-valve mask resuscitator
  • Perform professional-level CPR with AED (as an individual rescuer and as part of a team of 4 rescuers)
  • Care for Obstructed Airway
  • Provide first aid, including opioid overdose, sickle cell crisis, acute chest syndrome and electrical shock inquires.
  • Note Training manikins are used during the class for CPR chest compressions, giving ventilations, and AED simulations)

You will also learn and practice on equipment that lifeguards use to respond in emergencies, including:

  • Rescue tubes
  • Hip Packs
  • Resuscitation masks
  • Backboards (for rapid extrication of an unresponsive person)
  • Backboards with head immobilizers (for suspected head, neck or spinal injuries in the water)
  • AED training units
  • Bag-Valve-Mask resuscitators
  • Nitrile, non-latex gloves
Read more
Group of certified Red Cross lifeguards standing near a pool.

Completing the Lifeguarding Class

At the end of your final in-person session you will take a 50 question written exam and a 3 final skills assessment to evaluate your individual rescue skills, and your ability to perform a rescue as part of a team and your surveillance and rotation skills. The final skills assessment will include:

  • An individual, timed response; you will perform a submerged rescue in followed by extrication, rapid assessment (with two ventilations) and 3 minutes of single-rescuer CPR.
  • Surveillance skills: Rotate to the lifeguard station, conduct surveillance, and then rotate out of the station.
  • Multiple Rescuer response; you will perform a submerged rescue, extricate the person followed by work with a team of other rescuers to demonstrate clear communication and critical thinking ability while providing care using BVM, CPR and AED. You will be evaluated on both individual performance, and overall team response performance.

If you have actively participated in all sessions, successfully demonstrated all skills in the course and successfully completed the lifeguarding written exams and final skills assessments you will be awarded a Lifeguarding certificate.

Make sure your instructor has your email address, as you will receive your Red Cross digital certificate immediately after your instructor reports your course completion (typically within 10 business days).

Questions or Concerns About Training?

If you have questions about an upcoming course, please reach out to your instructor or the aquatic facility conducting the course.

If you have concerns related to training you participated in, or if you feel your training was not conducted in compliance with Red Cross standards, please contact: qualityassurance@redcross.org

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