American Red Cross in Greater New York

1. Where can I take American Red Cross-certified swimming classes?

You can find these classes at most local community centers, such as YM & YWCAs, YM & YWHAs, Jewish Community Center (JCC), Jewish community house (JCH), and health clubs.

2. How do I qualify for a Lifeguarding course?

You must be able to:

1. Swim 300 yards continuously, using these strokes in the following order:
   • 100 yards of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick. Rhythmic breathing can be performed either by breathing to the side or to the front.
   • 100 yards of breaststroke.
   • 100 yards of either front crawl using rhythmic breathing or breaststroke. These 100 yards may be a mixture of front crawl and breaststroke.
2. Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to a depth of 7–10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards back to the starting point. When returning to the starting point, the candidate must hold the 10-pound object with both hands and must keep his or her face above the water. This must be done in less than 1 minute, 40 seconds.

3. Will the ARC lifeguarding course qualify me for a lifeguarding job at a beach?

The ARC Lifeguard Training course prepares a person to qualify as a non-surf lifeguard. It should be supplemented with training specific to the surf if you are going to work at a beach. Some beach locations offer this specialized training to certified lifeguards.

4. What is the purpose of the Waterfront Lifeguarding course?

This course trains lifeguards how to prevent and react to emergencies at open-water, non-surf waterfront facilities, such as lakes.

5. What certifications will I have when I finish the Lifeguarding course?

You will have two certifications: Lifeguarding, which is valid for three years from the course completion date; and for the Professional Rescuer, which is valid for one year.

6. How do I qualify for a Lifeguard Training Review or Challenge course?

To qualify for a Lifeguard Training Review or Challenge Course you must possess current certification in ARC Lifeguarding and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.

7. What are the requirements for the Water Safety Instructor pretest?

In order to enroll in a Water Safety Instructor course, you must demonstrate the following skills according to the Stroke Performance Charts, Level 4:

• 25 yards front crawl
• 25 yards back crawl
• 25 yards breaststroke
• 25 yards elementary backstroke
• 25 yards sidestroke
• 15 yards butterfly
• Tread water for 1 minute
• Maintain position on back in deep water for 1 minute

8. How old do I have to be to become a Water Safety Instructor?

You must be 16 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of the class.

9. Do I qualify as a lifeguard if I become a Water Safety Instructor?

These are two separate certifications that require two different courses.

10. I want to become a Lifeguard Training Instructor. What are the requirements for the pretest?

You must be at least 17 years of age.  You must also be able to:

1. Swim 300 yards continuously using these strokes in the following order:
   • 100 yards of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick. Rhythmic breathing can be performed either by breathing to the side or to the front.
   • 100 yards of breaststroke.
   • 100yards of either front crawl using rhythmic breathing or breaststroke. These 100 yards may be a mixture of front crawl and breaststroke.
2. Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to a depth of 7–10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards back to the starting point. When returning to the starting point, the candidate must hold the 10-pound object with both hands and must keep his or her face above the water. This must be done in less than 1 minute, 40 seconds.
3. Perform all Base Level Lifeguarding Rescue, CPR and First Aid Skills.
4. Complete Lifeguard Training, CPR with AED and First Aid skill scenarios.