Lifeguarding Courses FAQ
Do I need LFG certificate to schedule the interview with HSP?
No, you can schedule your interview before obtaining LFG certificates. Although, we do encourage you to get certified at your earliest convenience.
What course should I register for?
- “New” Lifeguard – never certified or certification expired more than 30 days ago: register for the Blended Learning Lifeguarding/Shallow Water Lifeguarding course.
- “Current” Lifeguard – have an American Red Cross Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding certificate that is either currently valid or expired by no more than 30 days: register for the Lifeguarding Recertification course.
What is the minimum required age to participate in a Lifeguarding course?
Participants in a Red Cross lifeguarding course must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
Should I register for the Shallow Water Lifeguarding or Lifeguarding course?
Please register for the regular Lifeguarding course and then you may inform your instructor when you check-in, that you would like to be tested as a Shallow Water Lifeguard. Shallow Water Lifeguarding contains all the material of the regular Lifeguarding course except for deep water rescues and will certify students to lifeguard at pools up to 5 feet deep.
What should I bring?
Swimsuit, towels, picture ID, printed or downloaded handbook (Click Here), pen, and paper. Water, sun lotion, and snacks are recommended.
How long is the course?
Blended learning course takes approximately 28 hours. It is a combination of online learning (6 hours and 30 minutes) and in-person skills sessions (21 hours and 30 minutes).
What if I don’t finish the online training prior the in-person session?
Participants must show proof of completion to verify that they have completed the online content prior to the first in-person session, otherwise, they won’t be accepted in the course.
Is there a lunch break?
Yes. Students can bring their own food or buy food in nearby places.
What if I must reschedule the course?
Please contact our office at [email protected]. Students can reschedule a class up until 24 hours before the class starts time.
What are the prerequisites?
Please see prerequisites for Lifeguarding and Shallow Water Lifeguarding class here: Click here
What if I fail to complete the course prerequisites?
If a participant is not successful on the first attempt, they will have one more opportunity to meet the prerequisites after sufficient rest. If a participant does not successfully perform any of the prerequisite skills, they cannot participate in the class and may request a refund.
How long is the final written exam?
The written exam for the Lifeguarding course includes 50 multiple-choice questions. Participants must achieve a score of at least 80 percent on the exam to be eligible for certification.
What if I fail the final written exam?
If a participant is not successful on the first attempt, they may take the written exam again using the alternate version of the exam they took initially.
When and how will I receive my certificates?
When submitting course records (within 72 hours upon completion), the instructor includes participants’ email addresses so students will receive an email with a link to their digital certification.
2704 Columbia Pike
Arlington, Virginia 22204
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday
9am – 5pm
Friday
9am – 4pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed