When you choose to become a lifeguard, you are taking a stand to be a lifesaver and to make a difference in your community. Develop the skills you will need to succeed, gain personal and professional confidence, and even advance into an aquatics career.
LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION
Build a skill, save a life.
Whether you are looking for a great summer job or a rewarding career as an aquatics professional, the Y is the place to start! Through classroom activities, group discussion, online coursework, and hands-on practice, you’ll gain the experience needed to help keep swimmers safe as a certified lifeguard.
American Red Cross lifeguard training and recertification courses give you up-to-date information on how to anticipate problems and take action to help those in danger. These nationally recognized certifications also cover safety skills and emergency systems every lifeguard must know, including:
- Accident and injury prevention
- Guarding techniques and responsibilities
- CPR, water rescue skills, and first aid
Safety First
Learn the skills you need to respond to emergencies. We provide First Aid, basic life support, babysitting safety, and CPR training through the American Safety & Health Institute.
Work With Us
Find a rewarding job where you can truly make a difference. Our lifeguards and swim instructors enjoy competitive pay, free Y membership, and the opportunity for paid training.
To register, you must be 15 years old on or before the final day of the course. You must also pass a pre-course swimming skills test by performing the following:
- A 300-yard continuous swim using front crawl or breaststroke to demonstrate breath control and rhythmic breathing.
- A two-minute tread using legs only.
- Retrieve a 10 pound dive weight from 7 feet deep, surface and swim 20 yards with the weight (using legs only), and exit the pool without using a ladder within 100 seconds.
In order to receive your lifeguard training certification, you must:
- Attend and actively participate in all classes -- no exceptions. Please double check dates and times before signing up. No refunds will be issued after you register.
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
- Display the necessary maturity and professionalism required of a lifeguard.
- Demonstrate competency in three final scenarios.
- Correctly answer at least 80% of the questions on both written exams.
For lifeguard recertification, you must:
- Be registered for the course before your certification expires.
- Finish the course within 30 days of expiration. (You cannot lifeguard if your certification is expired.)
Please review the materials in advance and bring your lifeguard book and current certification cards with you to class.
After successfully completing the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years and Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for two years. A digital certification is available upon completion.
The American Red Cross is the most respected source for lifeguard training and certifications are accepted nationwide.
We offer a variety of cost-effective training programs. Our qualified staff also provide CPR training for businesses. Please call our Aquatics Department at 414-354-9622 for details and pricing.
- LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION (Ages 15+)
The American Red Cross Lifeguard training course includes First Aid, CPR, AED, and Oxygen. Waterfront and water park certifications are also available. - LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION (Ages 15+)
The recertification course is designed for current American Red Cross lifeguards. - CHILD AND BABYSITTING SAFETY (CABS)
Get fundamental information about babysitting, including proper supervision, basic caregiving skills, and keys to safety and injury prevention. The American Safety & Health Institute program is geared towards adolescents and is not intended for daycare workers. - BASIC FIRST AID (2-year certification)
The American Safety & Health Institute training teaches you how to recognize and respond to emergencies and provide first aid for many types of injuries. - BASIC LIFE SUPPORT & EMERGENCY OXYGEN (2-year certification)
Basic Life Support (BLS) is a CPR/AED course for professional rescuers offered by American Safety & Health Institute. Participants will gain or improve knowledge and skill proficiency in high-quality CPR skills and teamwork for the adult, child, and infant. Class includes instruction on two rescuer CPR, use of resuscitation masks, bag-valve mask resuscitators, and AED. - BASIC LIFE SUPPORT & EMERGENCY OXYGEN RECERTIFICATION (2-year certification)
Participants must be currently certified in BLS, CPRA/AED for the Professional Rescuer, or CPR/AED for Lifeguards.