The University of Toledo

Lifeguard

Lifeguard

If you’re 15 or older and looking for a great summer job or challenging career that’s in demand, the Red Cross Lifeguarding program is the place to start. Through videos, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn patron rescue and surveillance skills, first aid and CPR/AED. Courses are available with a focus on a variety of environments, including pools, waterfronts, waterparks and shallow water attractions.

If you are unsure if you need Standard Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding, see the movie below.

Class Information
- Two-Year Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification; Waterfront certification available
- Resuscitation mask included

Prerequisites/Requirements
- Must successfully pass a Pre-Course Session (see below)
- Participants must be at least 15 years old
- A one piece bathing suit must be brought to the first class, and every class thereafter
- Must attend and fully participate in the entire class
- Must pass all skill checks and receive an 80% or higher on written exam
- We do not reserve spots or make waiting lists for classes that are full

Class Length - Training is approximately 24-29 hours

Cost
$145 for UT Students, REC Members, and Camp Adventure students
$150 for Non-Members
- The cost includes the pre-course session
- NOTE: Participants who fail a certification class will not receive a credit or a refund.

Scheduled Courses:

September 20-22 & 27-29      

Days                Start Time      End Time         Location                      Class Size       Instructor
Friday               5:00p.m.          9:00p.m.          HEC                             20                    TBA
Saturday          1:00p.m.          7:00p.m.         
Sunday             1:00p.m.          6:00p.m.

Lifeguard Pre-Course Session

This pre-course is prerequisite for the Lifeguard course and is offered at no additional cost. The pre-course must be completed BEFORE the participant starts the Lifeguard class. Participants will be given two attempts at pre-course skills during any one session; those who fail the pre-course session may continue to re-enroll in the future pre-course sessions without any additional costs.   When participants re-enroll in a future pre-course class, they must first notify the REC, no walk-ins are allowed. Participants must bring a swimsuit, towel, and padlock for the locker room.

Click on the pre-course skills below to watch a demonstration of each skill.  All videos will link to YouTube. In order to play the videos you will need Adobe Flash Player which is available for free by clicking here. Click the play button on the YouTube website to start the video. YouTube is not affiliated with the University of Toledo.

Skills checked for Waterfront Lifeguarding

550 yd. Swim: Swim 550 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles are allowed.     
2 Minute Tread: Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
Brick Test: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 8 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 and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. Swim goggles are not allowed.
Dive Rings: Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence.

Skills checked for Standard Lifeguarding 

300 yd. Swim: Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
2 Minute Tread: Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
Brick Test: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 8 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 and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. Swim goggles are not allowed.

Skills checked for Shallow Water Lifeguarding

100 yd swim: Swim 100 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles are allowed.
2 Minute Tread: Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
Brick Test: Complete a timed event within 50 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using the front crawl or breaststroke. Submerge to a depth of 4 to 5 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and walk or swim 20 yards to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object at the surface of the water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. Swim goggles are not allowed.

Scheduled Courses:

September 16^th

Days                Start Time      End Time                     Location          Class Size       Instructor
Monday            5:00p.m.          6:30p.m.                      REC Pool           20                    TBA

September 18^th

Days                Start Time      End Time                     Location          Class Size       Instructor
Wednesday      5:00p.m.          6:30p.m.                      REC Pool           20                    TBA

Lifeguarding Challenge

Challenge format classes are offered as recertification classes. These classes do not contain any review or practice of skills.  Participants must know material and skills, VERY, VERY well to pass.  Only written and skills testing is done, NO INSTRUCTION.  Participants will only have one try to correctly test out on skills and pass the written exam. Book and resuscitation mask will be provided to borrow during class.

Class Information 
-       Two-year Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
-       Book and resuscitation mask will be provided to borrow, but must be returned at the end of the class.
-       Must attend and fully participate in entire class
-       Must pass all skill checks and receive an 80% or higher on written exams

Prerequisites/Requirements
-       This is a challenge format class, participants must already know CPR/AED/First Aid/Lifeguard skills and material, a self-study is highly recommended.
-       Participants must be able to perform appropriate skill checks for Lifeguarding/Waterfront/Shallow Water

Class Length 
-       Training is approximately 3 hours

Cost 
$75 for UT Students, REC Members, and Camp Adventure students
$85 for Non-Members
- NOTE: Participants who fail a certification class will not receive a credit or a refund.

Date                   Days          Start          End         Location            Class Size       Instructor
September 11  Wednesday  5 p.m.       8 p.m.      Oak Room/Pool        20                   Mike
October 15       Tuesday       5 p.m.       8 p.m.      Oak Room/Pool        20                    TBA
November 4      Monday        5 p.m.       8 p.m.      Oak Room/Pool        20                    TBA