American Red Cross Eligibility and Requirements

Lifeguard Courses

Eligibility and Certification

• Must be at least 15 years of age by the completion of the course - proof of age is required
• Must successfully complete the Prerequisite Skills Evaluation listed in the following section
• Recertification only: to be recertified you must be currently certified in Lifeguarding by the American Red Cross or be no more than 30 days since your certificate expired
• Certificates will be awarded to those participants who:
  • Attend and participate in all class sessions
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios - you will be given two opportunities to pass
  • Pass both the First Aid and CPR & AED for the Professional Rescuer and the Lifeguarding skills final written exams with a minimum grade of 80% - you will be given two opportunities to pass

Lifeguard Pre-Course Skills Test:

Participants are provided two opportunities to successfully complete these skills evaluations. Participants who cannot successfully meet these requirements will not be allowed to continue with the course.

1. Swim continuously for 300 yards demonstrate good breath control and rhythmic breathing while using the freestyle, breaststroke, or a combination of both (swimming on the back or side is not permitted), goggles are allowed
2. Tread water for 2 minutes without support and without stopping using only the legs (participants must place their hands under the armpits and the head must remain above the surface of the water)
3. Complete the following timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds without goggles:

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards
• Surface dive, feet first or head-first, to a depth of 9 feet and retrieve a 10 pound diving brick
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards to return to the starting point, swimming on their back with both hands holding the brick on the their chest, and their face above the surface
• Time will stop after exiting the water with the brick

All Courses

Minimum Recommended Technology Requirements