American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification
This course is for those training for the first time or for those whose certifications have expired. It's offered in a blended learning format: 21 hours in person; 7-8 hours online. Participants must be 15 years of age by the last day of the course AND pass the pre-requisite swimming skills evaluation on the first day of the course.
Participants who complete the course will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for 2 years. Per Massachusetts law, lifeguards must be at least 16 years old.
Upcoming Program
We offer six program sessions throughout the year. Please check back for our next Lifeguard Certification Course.
Swim evaluation R.24 consists of:
- Swim-Float-Swim sequence - Participants must have a strong freestyle and/or breaststroke and be able to swim the 150yd continuously without stopping, 2 minutes of Treading Water (No Hands!), then a last 50yd - Participants must be able to tread water in a depth of 9 feet without using their hands for 2 minutes without stopping.
- 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 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 so they can get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance underwater.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Please check back for pricing.
All online coursework must be completed prior to the first day of class. Participants must attend all days at the specified times and pass the written and physical portion of the course to successfully achieve their lifeguarding certification.
The prerequisite evaluation may be completed prior to the start of class by contacting Hayley Maskell at HMaskell@Metrowestymca.org. If the prerequisites are not passed on the first day of class, no refunds will be given.
If you have any additional questions about the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification course, please contact David Witkus, Senior Aquatics Director: dwitkus@metrowestymca.org
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