Lifeguarding

In-Person Only

Overview

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding r.24 Course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel take over.

Options and Modules

The purpose of the American Red Cross Waterfront Skills Lifeguarding Module is to teach lifeguards the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies in nonsurf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps, and campgrounds.

This module add an additional 4 hours to the Lifeguarding course. Upon successful completion of all course components, students will receive a certificate for Waterfront Lifeguarding, valid for two years.

This is a stand-along or add-on module. Valid Lifeguarding certification must be verfied to confirm enrollment. Otherwise, students must also register for a Lifeguarding course.

The purpose of the Waterpark Skills module is to teach lifeguards the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in aquatic facilities with waterpark features.

This module add an additional 4 hours to the Lifeguarding course. Upon successful completion of all course components, students will receive a certificate for Waterpark Lifeguarding, valid for two years.

This is a stand-along or add-on module. Valid Lifeguarding certification must be verfied to confirm enrollment. Otherwise, students must also register for a Lifeguarding course.

The American Red Cross Shallow Water Lifeguarding course provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies in shallow water up to 5 feet, and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.

Prerequisites

  • Minimum age: 15 years Swim 100 yards continuously
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
  • Complete a timed event within 50 seconds:
    • Starting in the water
    • Swim 20 yards
    • Submerge to a depth of 4 to 5 feet
    • Retrieve a 10-pound object
    • Return to the surface
    • Walk or swim 20 yards on the back
    • Return to the starting point with both hands holding the object
    • Exit the water without using steps or a ladder
The American Red Cross Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding course provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies in pools or attractions with a maximum water depth of 3 feet or less, and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.

The Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding course includes the Waterpark Lifeguarding Module.

Prerequisites

  • Minimum age: 15 years Swim 100 yards continuously
  • Swim 300 continuous yards: 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 choice of freestyle or breaststroke
  • Perform 10lb diving brick retrieval within 1 min 40 seconds
  • 2 minute tread – legs only

Course Delivery

100% in-person training is offered for groups, crews, teams, offices, etc. Contact us to discuss the goals and outcomes of this training and book a course!

Hybrid training combines a virtual lecture-based portion (always led by a live Expedition School instructor) with an in-person skills checkoff.

What You’ll Learn

Course Topics
  • CPR/AED Professional Rescuer
  • First Aid
  • Swimming Pool rescues
  • Drowning prevention
  • Water safety
  • Pathophysiology of drowning in fresh water
  • Rescue breathing in water
  • Dry land rescues
  • Equipment
  • Communication devices
  • Chain of command
  • Emergency action plan implementation
  • Weather & climate
  • Flora & fauna identification
  • History of area
  • Culture
  • Managing general public
  • Medical and trauma emergencies
  • Prevention & response
  • Local, state, national, & international resources
  • Technology
  • Geography
  • Pool shape and design
  • Visibility
  • Checklist on before, during, and after
  • Lifeguard sessions
  • Positioning of lifeguards
  • Lifeguard ratios:swimmers
  • Swim tests
  • Water quality testing
  • In-services
Course Materials

Upon registration, students will receive a welcome packet from The Expedition School. This will detail the specifics of the course, including course handouts, manuals, and video supplements. Students are responsible for bringing their course materials to every class.

What to Bring

Hybrid:

  • Internet-connected device with sufficient bandwidth to accommodate virtual learning platform
  • Distraction-free & noise-free environment

In-person:

  • Downloaded course materials on your laptop or mobile device
  • Digital method of taking notes (pen and paper provided)
  • Hydration System + Snacks and/or Meal(s)
  • Appropriate cloth face covering or face mask
  • Alcohol based sanitizer solution to disinfect surfaces and hands
  • Comfortable, competitive style swimsuit or board shorts
  • Towel + extra
  • Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses 
  • Extra set of contact lenses (or your glasses)
  • Weather appropriate clothing
  • Change of clothes
  • Any pertinent personal current medication(s) (epi pen, bronchodilator, anti-seizure medication, etc.)
What to Wear
    • Comfortable, competitive style swimsuit or board shorts
    • Weather appropriate clothing and footwear
    • Appropriate cloth face covering or face mask
    • Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
      Certification
      • American Red Cross Lifeguard r.24, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid Certification
      • Valid for 2 years

      Possible additional certification in:

      • Waterfront Lifeguarding
      • Waterpark Lifeguarding
      • Shallow Water Lifeguarding
      • Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding
      • Administering Emergency Oxygen

      $300.00

      Details

      Beginner/Intermediate

      32 hours

      Updated: 1/1/2024

      Prerequisites
      • Be at least 15 years old on the last day of the instructor course
      • Swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both; 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
      • Perform 10lb diving brick retrieval within 1 min 40 seconds
      Private Course

      $400 per student; Minimum of 6 for course to make. Contact us for more details.

      New Offering!

      TES Membership

      TES Membership

      TES Membership

      New for 2024, we are now offering the ability to maintain and recertify through a recurring continuing education membership plan with The Expedition School.

      Access to Any CE Course of Choice

      $35/Course

      • Great option for students to try out our CE Courses!
      • Classes are no more than 1 hour in length
      • Registration for 1 class pass grants entry to any of our CE Courses
      • Access to same class materials that members receive
      • Single classes will credit towards a future Expedition School Membership

      Access to Unlimited CE Courses For 1 Year

      $120/Year

      • CE Courses are no more than 1 hour in length
      • Designed to serve as continuing education for recertifying students
      • Students may choose which courses they attend
      • CE Requirements provided for students to track progress
      • Full recertification upon completion of all CE Requirements

      Access to Unlimited CE Courses For 2 Years

      $199/2 Years

      • Access to CE Courses for full length of certification period
      • 2 year CE plan ensures retention of knowledge and skills
      • Courses scheduled at various days and times throughout the week
      • Student handouts allow review of material post class
      • Full recertification upon completion of all CE Requirements

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