WHY BECOME A LIFEGUARD? Lifeguarding is not only a fun job, but it's a great way to develop leadership, decision making and communication skills. Certified Lifeguards are leaders in our pools and waterfronts and lifeguards help prevent injuries and are first responders. It's the perfect job for high school students, retirees, stay at home parents, and college, gap year, and CCP students.
YMCA LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION
The YMCA Lifeguard V7 course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a lifeguard and professional rescuer. Participants will be certified in American Safety and Health Institute's (ASHI) courses: Basic Life Support (BLS), Adult First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, and Emergency use of Medical Oxygen.
The course presents information on the skills and knowledge lifeguard need in pool environments. The comprehensive course offers up-to-date information on how to lifeguard by anticipating and preventing problem before they occur and by taking action to help those in danger when necessary.
The course covers safety skills, accident prevention, scanning, guarding techniques, emergency systems, rescue skills, first aid in aquatic environments, spinal injury management, legal responsibilities, pool maintenance basics, and information on how to get a job as a lifeguard. Students must pass the physical skills test prior to the class and must be 15 years of age by the last day of the scheduled class.
Basic first aid includes Adult and Pediatric with V7.
Classroom Learning 13 Hours
Water / Pool Skills: 12 minutes
E-Learning: 6.5 Hours
Participants must pass the following Physical Competency Requirements (conducted in class on or before the first day):
Phase 1 – Continuous Swim for 350 Yards
Swim 100 yards of front crawl
Swim 100 yards of Breaststroke
Swim 50 yards of each of the following:
Front crawl with head up
Breaststroke with the head up
Elementary backstroke kick with hands on the chest/stomach
Phase 2 –. Tread Water
Tread water for two minutes without arms
Phase 3 – Combined Skills event with no goggles
Participants start in the water at one end of the pool.
Sprint for approximately 60 feet (20 yards), and then perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in 7 to 10 feet of water (or maximum depth of training facility).
Pick up an object (dive ring) from the bottom of pool, surface, hold the object with both hands and tread water for at least 1 minute using your legs only.
Swim the remaining length of the pool on your back holding the object with both hands. Place the object on the deck and hoist yourself out of water.
Immediately begin compressions on an adult manikin for 1 minute or 100 compressions.
Complete Scan and Recognize Activity
RED CROSS LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION
Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate, Professional CPR/AED and First Aid
- Classes are a blended approach of eLearning and in-person
- 100% participation is REQUIRED
- Basic Life Support (CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer)
- Basic First Aid
- Classroom Sessions
- Pool/Water Skills Time
- eLearning Time
- Classroom/ Water Skills: 21.5 Hours
- e-Learning: 6 Hours
- Total Time: 27.5 Hours
- Must be at least 15 years of age (proof required) by the last day of the class
- Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:
Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:
- Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.)
- 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.
Prerequisite 2: 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 – 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, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.