American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification

Lifeguard certification course

This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for injured patrons.  Participants must pass a pre-course swim test.  This course certifies successful participants in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for Lifeguards, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen, and waterpark lifeguarding.

Spring session schedule

Summer session schedule

Session I only: June 6-9

Prerequisites

Lifeguard candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 15 years of age
• Demonstrate strong swimming skills
• Swim 300 yards continuously
• Complete a 10-pound object retrieval
  Starting in the water, you must swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps within 1 minute and 40 seconds.
• Tread water for 2 minutes without using hands

Certification requirements

To be eligible for two-year certification, you must:

• Attend all class sessions
• Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities
• Demonstrate competency in the three final skill scenarios
• Pass the final written exam

Cost

The American Red Cross lifeguard certification course costs $175 for members and $195 for non-members.  All participants must be members or MSU affiliates.

Class sizes are limited. Classes are held at the Foster Recreation Center.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Review Course

This course gives currently certified lifeguards the opportunity to review and renew their lifeguard certification in a formal class setting. Participants hold current lifeguard certification and pass a pre-course swim test.

Registration Fee: $125

Schedule:

May 3 - 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

May 4 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.