The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed 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) professionals take over.

To participate in an American Red Cross lifeguarding course, participants must:

1. Provide proof of identity and age. Participants must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Successfully complete a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation. The prerequisite swimming skills evaluation is designed to confirm that participants have the physical ability to successfully participate in the training. The evaluation includes an endurance swim; treading water using only the legs; and a timed event that involves retrieving a 10-pound submerged object, swimming it back to the exit point and exiting the water without using a ladder or steps.

Additional courses you can sign up for: Waterfront Skills

We offer Base-Level Certification and Recertifications.