Build a skill. Save a life.
Learn how to save lives in the water. Become a YMCA lifeguard or swim lesson instructor. Upon successful completion of the Y's lifeguard and swim instructor training programs, each participant will be certified. Participants must be at least 16 years old by the end of the training.
TRAINING PREREQUISITES
LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION
- Swim 100 meters front crawl
- Tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 250 meters with the following strokes: 50 meters front crawl head up; 50 meters breaststroke; 50 meters breaststroke head up; 50 meters sidestroke; 50 meters breaststroke kick on back hands on stomach.
- Swim 20 meters sprint, dive to bottom pickup ring and tread for 1 minute no hands; Replace ring, climb out of pool, listen to the instructors directions and complete requested tasks.
Participants will also be certified in the following upon successful completion of the Y's lifeguard certification program:
- CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
- Basic First Aid and Oxygen Administration
SWIM INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
- Tread water for two minutes using a variety of kicks, and then swim 25 yards of each stroke: front crawl; breaststroke; sidestroke; butterfly; elementary backstroke; backstroke. At least 4 of the strokes need to be in good form based on the YMCA'S Stroke Development Stages.
Prior to enrolling in swim instructor certification course, participants must complete:
- CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
- Basic First Aid and Oxygen Administration
Activities
Lifeguard Training & Certification
Whether you are looking for a great summer job or career as a professional lifeguard or swim instructor, YMCA Swim Instructor and Lifeguard Certification Trainings are the best way to get started! Through classroom activities, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work in the aquatics field.
Swim Instructor Training
Whether you are looking for a great summer job or career as a swim instructor, YMCA Swim Instructor training is a good way to get started! Through classroom activities, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work in the aquatics field. See available YMCA aquatic jobs
CPR/AED/O2 Certification
This program is a certification course for ASHI CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Skills taught and evaluated include:
- basic first aid
- primary assessment for an unresponsive person
- primary assessment for a responsive person
- controlling bleeding
- stabilizing a suspected head, neck or back injury
- stabilizing a swollen painful deformed limb