Lifeguarding/ Water Safety

The American Red Cross is the recognized leader in training people to be safe in and around the water. We work with Authorized Providers of our aquatic programs to ensure that training options are available throughout the year. Whether your goal is to become a lifeguard for a local pool or to create a safe environment in your own backyard, we help you get the training you need. To find out which course is right for you, review the course descriptions below or call 404-575–3704 for more information.

Lifeguarding

If you're 15 or older and looking for a great summer job or a challenging career, one that will help you develop skills and experience that will be valued by colleges and future employers, American Red Cross Lifeguard Training is the best place to start. Through classroom learning and hands-on practice, you'll learn:

• Surveillance skills to help you recognize and prevent injuries
• Rescue skills - in the water and on land
• First aid training and professional rescuer CPR - to help you prepare for any emergency
• Professional lifeguard responsibilities such as interacting with the public and addressing uncooperative patrons

Prerequisites for Red Cross Lifeguarding classes:

• Minimum age of 15
• Swim 300 yards continuously using these strokes in the following order:
• 100 yards of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick.
• 100 yards of breaststroke. The stroke must be demonstrated using “Pull, Breathe, Kick, Glide” sequence.
• 100 yards of either front crawl using rhythmic breathing or breaststroke as described above
• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to depth of 7-10 feet; retrieve a 10-pound brick off the bottom of the pool. Return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute 40 seconds.

Water Safety Instructor

If you are at least 16-years old and a proficient swimmer, you can become an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI). Whether you want to splash around with kids and teach them to swim, help children or adults refine their strokes, or teach diving safety techniques, you can do it as an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. Qualified WSIs can also help prepare swim coaches to prevent and respond to emergency situations.

Prerequisites for Red Cross Water Safety Instructor classes:

• Be at least 16 years of age by the last scheduled session of the instructor course;
• Possess a Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) certificate issued within the past 12 months. Or have a current Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization (F5736 or C3005) certificate.  (In Metropolitan Atlanta FIT is included in all Aquatic Instructor classes.)
• Successfully complete the precourse session which consists of demonstrating the ability to perform the following swimming skills:
• Swim the following strokes consistent with Level 4 stroke ability
• Front crawl—25 yards
• Back crawl—25 yards
• Breaststroke—25 yards
• Elementary backstroke—25 yards
• Sidestroke—25 yards
• Butterfly—15 yards
• Maintain position on back 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling).
• Tread water for 1 minute.

Basic Water Rescue

This course is designed for public safety personnel, camp staff, trip leaders, and aquatic specialists. This course meets state requirements for Foster Parents in Georgia. People with a backyard pool can take this class to make sure that they provide a fun, safe environment for themselves and their families.

Click here for Course Schedule of Aquatic Training available through Authorized Providers in the Atlanta area.