Each spring TJ Aquatics will offer a Red Cross Lifeguard Certification course at the high school. The past few years the format has been a blended learning with the required water time to work on the lifesaving skills.
Please review lifeguard course description posted.
We also offer lifeguard recertification review courses to help keep you up to date with your certifications. Those are typically scheduled in May but can be scheduled at additional times if there is sufficient interest.
Red Cross Lifeguard Certification at Thomas Jefferson High School
Becoming a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard
In Allegheny County, there are strict requirements for the number of lifeguards necessary at the waterside, this is based on facility size and attendance at the pool. As we head into spring and summer 2024, businesses will be looking for certified lifeguards to fill the positions that are needed at local pools, county pools such as the wave pool, waterparks, gyms and the Thomas Jefferson Aquatic Center.
Becoming certified as a Red Cross Lifeguard is a great opportunity to develop lifelong skills and provide opportunities for employment in the near future and going forward during the years following high school graduation. You will develop life saving skills including but not limited to CPR for the professional rescuer, First Aid, use of an AED and specific aquatic life saving skills.
If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities be sure to include your name on the informational survey.
REQUIREMENTS to BECOME a LIFEGUARD
Prerequisites:
You must be at least 15 years old on the day of the certification exam
You must be a strong swimmer. There are specific prerequisite swimming skills that will be evaluated before the start of the program. If you are not able to perform the skills at this time you can work on your training and try again in the future.
Must be able to swim 150 yards stopping, tread with a diving brick for 2 minutes without using your arms and finish with a 50 yard swim. You must use proper swimming form and not show indications of struggling with this task. You may only use freestyle or breast stroke or a combination of the 2. No backstroke is permitted in this part of the test. There is currently no time requirement for this swim.
You must be able to swim approximately 20 yards across the pool, submerge to the deepest part of the pool and recover a diving brick off the bottom. You will then have to swim the brick across the pool in a controlled fashion as you swim on your back with only your legs. You will have a specific way in which you must support the brick to mimic a rescue. This will have a specific time requirement (1 minute 40 seconds)
In Course Requirements:
Must complete the on-line modules when specified
Must attend all in person training. (Makeups may be an option but they must be scheduled with the instructor)
Must be proficient in all areas of lifeguard instruction (additional practice sessions will be available)
Must pass a physical skills test at the end of the course
Must pass a written CPR / Lifeguarding Exam (80% or better)
Certifications are valid for 2 years from the date of issue. You must recertify before the expiration of your certificate to maintain certification.
The cost of the course is $200. This will cover the instruction, certification registration from the Red Cross, registration into the virtual course and a pocket mask and whistle.
2024 TJ Lifeguarding Course Details