Ready to get certified? Here’s what to know before your class.
The American Red Cross lifeguard training and certification program includes both testing of hands-on skills as well as a written test. Upon successful completion of the Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding course, you will receive a Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification, which is valid for two years and is accepted nationwide.
Age: Students must be at least 15 years old by the last day of class.
Qualifications: Students must pass a pre-course swimming skills test prior to taking lifeguarding courses.
Lifeguarding Swimming Skills Test
- Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence:
- Swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
- Swim goggles are allowed, Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.
- 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 to complete the Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
- Timed event: Complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds:
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet (2.1 to 3 meters) to retrieve a 10-pound object (4.5kg).
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point. Both hands must hold the object and the face must remain at or near the surface in order to breathe (or get a breath).
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
