American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification
4-Day American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course
The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to:
■ Prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies in both shallow water (less than 7 feet) and deeper water (7 feet or more).
■ Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) professionals take over.
To enroll in the Lifeguarding course, you must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session. To participate in the course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place 1 week prior to the first in-person session. Email [email protected] to schedule this prerequisite swim evaluation.
Where: Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus – 651 W Morgan Ave. Chesterton, IN
Cost: Members: $200 | Non-members $250
This course follows a blended learning model, which combines online coursework (which will be sent out 7 days prior to in person class times) with in-person sessions. Please plan to complete all of the assigned online course modules at least 2 days prior to the first in-person session. The online course content is designed to be completed in approximately 6 hours, with each module taking between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.
The total instructional time for the Lifeguarding course in-person sessions is 21.5 hours
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid, valid for 2 years.
Please be aware that the skill practice sessions in the Lifeguarding course involve strenuous physical activity. If you have any concerns about your ability to participate fully in class (for example, because of a medical condition or disability), please contact me before the first in-person session to discuss possible accommodation. You may also wish to speak with a healthcare professional before the first in-person session.
If you have any questions, please contact me directly at: [email protected]
American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification
To ensure participants are prepared for the physical demands of lifeguarding, all candidates must successfully complete the following American Red Cross prerequisite skills before enrolling in the Lifeguard Certification Course. These prerequisites are designed to assess swimming ability, endurance, and comfort in the water—key components for performing rescues safely and effectively.
■ Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs.
■ Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive (head-first or feet-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
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10/6/25 | 1/31/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 200.00 | $ 250.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/15/25 - 11/23/25
Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Register Closes 11/15/2025 |