Want to become lifeguard certified?

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies.


Upcoming Lifeguard Class

Saturday, May 18th | 9:00am - 11:00am

Saturday, May 25th | 8:00am - 2:00pm

Sunday, May 26th | 8:00am - 2:00pm

Saturday, June 1st | 8:00am - 2:00pm

Sunday, June 2nd | 8:00am - 2:00pm

 

Course Fee & Class Information

The course fee is $250. Participants that choose to work with HRVPRD upon completion of the course will be reimbursed after three months of successful employment. The course fee is due by the last scheduled class date.

Additional course details, including the prerequisites, are included below.


Registration

To register for the lifeguard course, complete the form below. If you would like to receive more information about the lifeguard course, complete the form below and include your questions in the “Message” section.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite testing takes place at the start of the first in-person class session. We recommend practicing swimming skills prior to the start of the course.

American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course Prerequisites:

  • Must be at least 15 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of the course

  • Complete two swimming skills evaluations:

    • Swimming Prerequisite 1: complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest

      1. Jump into water and totally submerge, resurface and then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both

      1. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs

      2. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both

    • Swimming Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event with 1 minute and 40 seconds

      • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards

      • Submerge to a depth of 7 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object

      • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out or near the surface

      • Exit the water without using the ladder or steps


Additional Course Information & Resources

Location

The lifeguarding course is conducted at the Hood River Aquatic Center.

Preparing to Take the Lifeguard Course

The lifeguarding course is designed for people that have no previous training or knowledge in lifeguarding. However, to pass the prerequisites and complete the course, candidates must be strong swimmers.

For people interested in taking the course, we recommend practicing lap swimming, treading water, and submerging to depths of seven feet or greater before the start of the course. Swimming skills may be practiced during public lap swim hours. A 10-pound brick will be provided upon request.

Online Learning

The lifeguarding course is conducted in the blended learning format, meaning that part of the course takes place online. Completion deadlines for online modules are assigned by the lifeguard instructor. The online learning portion of the course typically opens 1-2 weeks before the start of the course and takes about six hours to complete.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be issued the following American Red Cross Certificate: Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. The certificate is valid for 2 years.

Recertification

HRVPRD provides lifeguard recertification opportunities for all employees. For non-employees seeking recertification, contact the Aquatic Center Supervisor. The recertification course takes approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes. The recertification course is only available to lifeguards who possess an American Red Cross lifeguarding certification that has been expired for no longer than 30 days.

Course Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the course and earn a certificate, participants must:

  • Complete all online course content by the assigned deadline

  • Attend all scheduled class sessions and participate in all class lectures, skill practices, activities, and drills

  • Demonstrate proficiency in all skills

  • Pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent

  • Pass the three final skill assessments

Additional Resources

Click HERE to view the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course Fact Sheet.

Questions

For lifeguard course information not listed on this page, email the Head Lifeguard.