Lifeguard Training Program

Next Lifeguard training class:  June 23-26 from 8am-3pm

Next Lifeguard re-certification class:  June 26 from 8am - 5:15pm

Welcome to Saratoga Swimming Club (SSC) Lifeguard Training certification program! We are excited to offer American Red Cross Lifeguarding Blended Learning. Blended learning combines online learning with in-person skills sessions where students will practice skills and demonstrate competency. Students complete all eLearning modules, including the CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid final eLearning exam, at least two days prior to their first in-person skills session. Most participants complete the eLearning portion of the course in approximately 8 hours. Each student's experience may vary widely based on several factors including internet speed and previous training. 

Please print and read the information below carefully.

The American Red Cross requires participants to successfully complete the following prerequisites, in order to receive certification. Refunds will not be issued to participants who do not successfully complete any and all of the course prerequisites and course completion requirements, according to the American Red Cross Standards. Please make sure you are capable of completing the following course prerequisites and course completion requirements before you attend class. Thank You!

Prerequisites:

1. Participants must be at least 15 years old

2. Participants must complete the American Red Cross Lifeguard Online Course (approximately 6-8 hours to complete) prior to the first class date

3. Participants must swim 300 yards continuously, without stopping – using the front crawl or breaststroke only

4. Successfully complete the Pre-course Assessment which requires you to:

Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence:

4. • 1. Swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.

        • Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.

        • Swim goggles are allowed.

     2. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.

     3. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.

Timed Event

1. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds

4. • 3. • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards.

          1. The face may be in or out of the water.

          2. Swim goggles are not allowed.

        • Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 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, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face at or near the surface.

        • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

5. The American Red Cross also requires the following for successful course completion: participants must attend all scheduled dates and times, demonstrate proficient skills and pass a writing exam with a score of at least 80 percent.

Participants who successfully complete the Lifeguarding course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years.

PRE-COURSE WORK | Complete Before First Class Date

ARC Lifeguard Training course has required pre-course work and must be completed prior to the first-class date.   Please follow directions carefully...

1.    PRINT AND REVIEW | SHS Training Forms

Print and review the Lifeguard Training Forms prior to taking the ARC online course. While taking the ARC online course, you will come across many answers to the lifeguard study guide questions located on page 1 of this document. Please bring a printed copy of the Lifeguard Training Forms with you to class

2.    COMPLETE ARC ONLINE COURSE | Complete Online Course Before First Class Date

ARC requires participants to complete the 8-hour lifeguard online course, prior to the first-class date.  Upon completion, you will receive an email from donotreply@redcrosslearning.com with the subject line:  Course Completed.  Please forward this email to train@saratogaswim.com before the first day of class.  

3.    WATCH REQUIRED VIDEO SEGMENTS | Watch Video Segments Before First Class Date

The Lifeguarding course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

ARC requires participants to watch these specific video segments, prior to the first-class date

Lesson 1:  The Professional Lifeguard

• Welcome to American Red Cross Lifeguarding

• The Professional Lifeguard

• The Unprofessional Lifeguard

Lesson 2: Facility Safety & Patron Surveillance

• Entries & Approaches

• Not On Your Watch

• Surveillance

• Scanning

• Zones of Surveillance

Lesson 3: Injury Prevention

• Injury Prevention

• Emergency Action Plans

Lesson 4: Water Rescue Skills

• Water Rescue Skills - Rescues at or near the surface

• Water Rescue Skills - Submerged victim rescues

• Extrications

• Review - Surveillance Activity 1

• Review - Surveillance Activity 2

Lesson 5: Before Providing Care, Victim Assessment and Breathing Emergencies

• Standard Precautions

• Primary Assessment

• Giving Ventilations - Adult, Child and Infant

• Using Bag-Valve-Mask-Resuscitator - Two Rescuers

• Conscious Choking

• Responding to Sudden Illnesses

Lesson 6: Cardiac Emergencies & Using an AED

• Heart Attack & the Cardiac Chain of Survival

• CPR - Adult & Child

• Two-rescuer CPR - Adult & Child

• Using an AED

• Using an AED - CPR in progress

• CPR - Obstructed Airway

• Putting it all together: Multiple-Rescuer Response

Lesson 7: First Aid

• Responding to Injuries

• When Things Don't Go As Practiced

Lesson 8: Head Neck & Spinal Injuries

• Head Neck & Spinal Injuries on Land

• Head Neck & Spinal Injuries in the Water

4.    DOWNLOAD LIFEGUARD MANUAL | Bring to class on Laptop or iPad

ARC course manuals can be downloaded here.  Please bring the Lifeguard Manual to class on a laptop or iPad.

Please be prepared to provide proof that you completed the eLearning content using one of the following methods.

■  Print or take a screen shot of your online course completion record available at the conclusion of the eLearning course and bring it to the first in-person skill session. It will read “Proceed to Skill Session”.

■  Be prepared to login to the eLearning course on the first in-person skill session to display the completion status that appears above the “Launch Course” button.

WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS

• Proof of age

• Proof of ARC Lifeguard Online Course completion – screen shot or print a copy

• Lifeguard Manual – download on laptop or iPad

• Training Forms – print a copy

• Lifeguard Review Students Only – Proof of current ARC certifications: Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR/AED for Professional

• Bathing Suit – one piece suits for females

• Rash guard, wetsuit, goggles, towel, sun block, paper, writing utensil, snacks, lunch & water

• Face mask or face covering

PRINT CERTIFICATIONS

ARC issues electronic certifications, which will be emailed to participants within 7 days of the last class date. 

NOTE | Saratoga Swimming Club does not have access to your ARC account. If you cannot remember your username and password or you need help accessing your electronic certifications, please contact the ARC Training Support Center at 800-Red Cross. Thank you!