2-year certification

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). Participants will learn to 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. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or birth certificate. If a birth certificate is used to provide proof of age, an additional form of identification with a photo is also needed to provide proof of identity.

To participate in the course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place during the first in-person session.

• 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.

2-year certification

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Recertification 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 Recertification course, you must have a valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid certification (or one expired by no more than 30 days). You should verify certification validity by going to redcross.org/getcertificate before registration.

To participate in the course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place during the first in-person session.

• 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.

2-year certification

The purpose of the American Red Cross Waterfront Skills module is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds.

To enroll in the Waterfront Skills module, you must have a valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid certificate. You should verify certification validity by going to redcross.org/getcertificate before registration.

To participate in this module, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes three parts and takes place during the first in-person session.

• Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 350 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 200 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.
• Prerequisite 3: Complete an underwater swim. Swim goggles are not allowed. Starting in the water, swim 5 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Submerge, swim underwater and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water. Return to the surface after picking up all three dive rings and continue to swim for another 5 yards to complete the sequence.

2-year certification

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach the basic-level courses and modules in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program.

• Skill Assessment: Entry, Swimming approach, Surface dive in deep water (7 to 10 feet), Passive submerged rescue, Rapid extrication (with an assisting rescuer), Rapid assessment, Single-rescuer CPR (3 minutes).
• Skill Practice & Polish: You will demonstrate instructor-level proficiency in selected skills and one scenario, using materials from the Lifeguarding program (r. 24).
• Training Prerequisites: Proof of age (at least 16 years old before the last scheduled class session), proof of current Lifeguarding certification, and required course materials including the Instructor’s Manual and access to course videos.

2-year certification

This course recertifies current Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor and Instructor Trainer certifications and includes an in-water practice and polish skills session with peers as well as a classroom-based review of Red Cross administrative policies and procedures.

To enroll, you must have a valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certificate or one expired by no more than one year. Verify certification validity at redcross.org/getcertificate before registration.

2-year certification

The purpose of the Water Safety Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim, Adult Swim and water safety courses and presentations.

To enroll, you must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session and provide valid identification.

To participate, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, demonstrating Red Cross level 4 stroke and skill proficiency.

2-year certification

The primary purpose of the American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (CPRO) program is to teach professional rescuers the skills needed to respond appropriately to breathing and cardiac emergencies. This includes the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to care for a person experiencing cardiac arrest.

Note: This course may not meet licensure requirements for certain healthcare professionals. Verify eligibility with your licensing and/or accrediting body before registration.

2-year certification for Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

10-year certification for Babysitter’s Training

This course teaches participants ages 10–15 how to safely care for infants through school-age children. Participants will learn how to perform tasks such as diapering, preparing simple meals and dressing. The curriculum includes ideas and tools to create a resume, develop leadership skills and build a babysitting business through safe channels.

Participants will discuss safe and age-appropriate games to play with children and learn how to respond to emergencies. Each participant receives a copy of the Red Cross Babysitter’s Handbook for ongoing reference.

2-year certification

The American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED program is designed to help participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies. This course teaches the knowledge and skills needed to give immediate care to an injured or ill person when minutes matter and to decide whether advanced medical care is needed.

2-year certification

The purpose of the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach the basic-level American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED courses, select Skill Boosts and Bloodborne Pathogens Training.

To enroll in the First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor course, you must be at least 16 years old before the last scheduled class session. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or birth certificate. If a birth certificate is used to provide proof of age, an additional form of identification with a photo is also needed to provide proof of identity. You must also possess a valid base-level Adult CPR/AED certification or equivalent or higher.

To participate in this module, you must be able to pass a practice and polish session demonstrating skills to the standard.

The American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) course is designed to train healthcare professionals including nurses, physicians, EMS professionals, and other healthcare and public safety personnel to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children and infants.

The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Basic Life Support Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach the base-level American Red Cross Basic Life Support course.

To enroll in the Basic Life Support Instructor course, you must possess a valid base-level Basic Life Support certification or equivalent.

To participate in this module, you must be able to pass a practice and polish session which involved demonstrating skills to the standard.