During the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification class, you will learn the following skills: first aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, use of the AED, and how to respond in the event of an emergency in and outside the pool deck. All classes are taught by certified American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors. Specific instructors are listed on the registration page.

This course is a blended learning course that includes both at-home online coursework and in-person skills portions. Most learners complete the online portion in approximately 9 hours. The instructor-led classroom skill sessions are a twenty-hour course, which includes all in-water skills, CPR for the Professional, and First-aid.

Courses are available for anyone over age 15 and certification is valid for 2 years.

FREE LIFEGUARD CLASS IN SEPTEMBER!

From three generous grants from the Reynolds family of Reynolds’ Subaru & Boats, through the National Automobile Dealers Association Foundation (NADA), the Valley Shore YMCA will be offering a FREE lifeguard course for up to twelve participants. The Reynolds family heard about our need for more lifeguards here and state wide and responded with this donation. They want to encourage youth who may NOT be able to afford the class to come and earn their certificate. There is a strong need for lifeguards and we hope this guarantee’s them a good paying summer job for years to come!

Click here to apply for the FREE Class

Lifeguarding Course Prerequisites

1. Participants should show up prepared to pass a swim test.
2. Swim 300 yards continuously candidates may swim front crawl or breaststroke or a combination of both. Swim goggles may be used.
3. Tread water for 2 minutes using only legs. 
   1. Complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds. 
   2. Starting in the water swim 20 yards (no goggles)
   3. Surface dive, feet first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.                   
   4. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object.                   
   5. Exit the water without using the stairs or a ladder.