You can find these classes at most local community centers, such as YM & YWCAs, YM & YWHAs, JCC, JCH, and health clubs.

You must perform the following:

1. Swim 500 yards continuously, using these strokes in the following order:
• 200 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.
• 200 yards of either front crawl using rhythmic breathing or breaststroke. These 200 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 to 10 feet and 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.

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're going to work at a beach. Some beach locations offer this specialized training to certified lifeguards.

It gives lifeguards the knowledge to prevent and react to emergencies at open-water, non-surf waterfront facilities, such as lakes.

You will have three certifications: Lifeguarding, which is valid for three years from the course completion date; CPR for the Professional Rescuer, which is valid for one year; and Waterfront Lifeguarding, which is valid for as long as you maintain your lifeguarding certification.

You must possess current certification in ARC Lifeguarding and CPR for the Professional Rescuer for a Review. You do not need to be currently certified to qualify for a Challenge, but you will need to know your skills in order to pass.

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 1 minute in deep water

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

No. Those are separate courses and separate certifications.

You must be at least 17 years of age.  You must also perform the following:

1. Swim 500 yards continuously, using these strokes in the following order:
• 200 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.
• 200 yards of either front crawl using rhythmic breathing or breaststroke. These 200 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 to10 feet and 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.
3. Perform rescue, CPR, and First Aid skills.
4. Complete three Lifeguard Training course and skill scenarios.
5. Take a precourse written examination, scoring at least 80%.