Lifeguard Certification

Video demonstration and description of prerequisites

Do you want to be part of a team that helps to save lives? Are you looking for a fun, challenging job? Earn money, meet great people, develop leadership skills, and gain valuable work experience. Become an American Red Cross lifeguard.

This American Red Cross Blended Learning course combines online learning with in-person sessions where you will practice skills and demonstrate competency. Most participants complete the eLearning portion of the course in approximately 7 hours. You must complete the online part prior to the first session and present your eLearning certificate at the beginning of your first class. 

Prerequisites:  To take the lifeguard certification course, you must be able to pass all parts of the swimming test:

  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim the front crawl or breaststroke or a combination, but swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Goggles and swim cap are strongly recommended. 300 yards = 12 lengths/6 laps

  • Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not permitted. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object while keeping the face at or near the surface to be able to take a breath. Candidates are not permitted to swim the distance under water. Place the object on wall & exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.

This course qualifies candidates to be pool lifeguards and includes lifeguard certification, first aid and CPR/AED.

    The lifeguard certification course will be offered during the spring 2024 semester. 

    Cost:  $285 full certification    $175 recertification (Your current certification must be within 30 days of expiration; copy of current certification required at registration)

    Credit/debit card.only.
    Payment due at registration
    Fee is non-refundable, unless the registrant does not pass the swim test or withdraws from the course prior to the swim test or first class. Please note that refund is immediate with credit/debit card payment.

    Mandatory Swim Test:  Friday, April 26th 2024 (2pm-3pm, Hicks pool; required for certification)

    Class Dates & Times:
    Attendance is mandatory at the swim test and classes. In-person Class dates –Syllabus will be provided by the instructor at the swim test
    - Friday, April 26th 2024, 3pm-6pm
    - Saturday, April 27th 2024, 10:30am-5:30pm
    - Sunday, April 28th 2024, 10:30am-5:30pm

    Location: Boyden classroom 051 & Boyden pool

    Registration is first-come, first-served. Registration now open  - Come to the Member Services Desk in the Recreation Center to Register

    For more information, contact Coordinator for Facility Operations & Aquatics Alexis Gross at alexisgross@umass.edu