Club Fit is an authorized provider for the American Red Cross.

Purpose: The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

Age Requirements: Participants must be at least 15 years of age by the last scheduled day of the course and show proof of age at the pre-course test.

Lifeguard Training  Prerequisites:

• Successfully complete a 200 yard swim-tread-swim sequence, proficiently demonstrating the front crawl and breaststroke. Swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
• Swim-tread-swim sequence: Jump into water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards. Then maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading. Lastly, swim 50 more yards.
• While treading, arms must be under your armpits and head above the surface of the water.
• Complete Timed Brick Test (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 to retrieve a 10-pound brick.
  – Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the brick and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
  – Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Waterfront Lifeguard Training Prerequisites:

• Swim a 550 yard swim-tread-swim sequence, proficiently demonstrating the front crawl and breaststroke. Swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
• Swim-tread-swim sequence: Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 350 yards. Then maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading. Lastly, swim 200 more yards.
• While treading, arms must be under your armpits and head above the surface of the water.
• Complete Timed Brick Test (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 to retrieve a 10-pound brick.
  – Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the brick and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
• 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. Goggles are not allowed.

Course Facts:

• Certificate Issued and Validity Period: The American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED is valid for 2 years. However, the NYS Board of Health requires lifeguards to be re-certified annually in CPR.
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer Course is included within the Lifeguard Training Course.
• Pocket mask will be provided for initial courses. 

Student Expectations:

• Arrive on time to each and every class session. Due to the condensed format, exceptions cannot be made. A missed session constitutes a failure. Excessive tardiness (more than 20 minutes) constitutes an automatic failure.
• Students must attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
• Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
• Successfully pass final written exams with a minimum grade of 80%.
• Complete all homework assignments, including all hours of online learning. Blended learning coursework assigned after completion of the pre-test MUST be completed before the first day of class.