Our Lifeguard Training 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. Successful participants earn certification that is valid for 2 years. Participants indicate to the instructor what level of certification they wish to pursue as detailed below:

• Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED – this level of certification prepares individuals to guard at indoor and outdoor POOL facilities only.
• Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED with Waterfront Skills – prepares individuals to guard at indoor and outdoor pools, as well as guard at non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds (lakes, rivers, streams, the non-surf Long Island Sound, ponds, etc). Students need to bring their own set of search mask and fins to complete the waterfront skills portion of the training. Goggles do not suffice.
• BLENDED LEARNING Format – our Lifeguard training courses are offered in a blended learning format allowing participants to complete 7 hours worth of ONLINE content outside of class. The online course work will prepare you to attend the in-person skill sessions where you practice skills and demonstrate competency.
• Participants MUST REGISTER ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE to allow ample time to start the online course work prior to Day 1 of training. Email the instructor (AngelaReeve@optonline.net) once you have registered with the facility to request the Student Syllabus detailing how to access the online course work.

PRE-REQUISITES INCLUDE:

• 15 years of age by the last scheduled day of class
• Must pass a PRE-REQUISITE SWIM SKILLS EVALUATION (see below)

Pre-Req Swim Skills Evaluation for Lifeguarding:

• Goggles may be used for the 300 yard continuous swim only.
• 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;
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs;
• Complete a timed event within 1 min 40 secs — Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, surface dive (feet first or head first) to a depth of 7’ – 10’ to retrieve a 10 pound object, resurface and return to the starting point by with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so you are able to get a breath, and exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Pre-Req Swim Skills Evaluation for Lifeguarding with Waterfront Skills:

• Goggles may be used for the 550 yard continuous swim only.
• 550 yard continuous swim demonstrating rhythmic breathing (front crawl, breaststroke, or any combination of front crawl and breaststroke);
• Tread water for 2 minutes using legs only;
• Complete a timed event within 1 min 40 secs — Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, surface dive (head or feet first) to retrieve a 10 pound brick from at least 7-9’ deep water, resurface and return to the starting point by swimming 20 yards on back with two hands on the brick at all times, and exit without using the steps or ladder.
• Goggles may be used for the 300 yard continuous swim, but for no other part of the pre-requisite swim skills evaluation.
• Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence.