The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard 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. The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course includes CPR, AED, and First Aid training and is valid for 2 years upon successful completion.

Prerequisites:

1. Candidates must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Swim 150 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.
3. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
4. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
5. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
   • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
   • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Schedule: 

• Friday from 5:00-9:00pm
• Saturday from 8:00am-5:00pm
• Sunday from 8:00am-5:00pm

These times allow for breaks and lunch. Class may end earlier than scheduled time.

Ages: 15 & older

Location: East Shore YMCA

This is a recertification course. To maintain the Lifeguarding certification, a currently certified lifeguard must successfully complete the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Recertification course or the full Lifeguarding course again prior to certificate expiration. A 30-day grace period may apply but it does not extend the certification beyond the 2 years. Once the Lifeguarding certification expires, a participant must successfully complete the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.

Prerequisites:

1. Candidates must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Swim 150 yards use the front crawl, breaststroke or combination of both. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Goggles are allowed.
3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
   • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
   • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Ages: 15 & older

Course Schedule: 

• 8:00am-7:00pm

Theses times allow for breaks and lunch.

Dates:

• January 25, 2026
• March 15, 2026
• April 12, 2026
• May 7, 2026
• June 7, 2026
• September 6, 2026

These times allow for breaks and lunch.

Instructions for online pre-course work will be sent shortly after registering for the course; online course work must be completed prior to the in-person training.

Location: East Shore YMCA

For more info, contact: Willa at [email protected].

The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard 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. The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course includes CPR, AED, and First Aid training and is valid for 2 years upon successful completion.

Prerequisites:

1. Candidates must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Swim 150 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.
3. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
4. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
5. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
   • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
   • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Schedule: 

• Sunday, May 17 from 10:00am-4:00pm
• Friday, May 22 from 3:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, May 23 from 8:00am-6:00pm
• Sunday, May 24 from 10:00am-4:00pm

Attendance is required at all sessions. These times allow for breaks and lunch. Class may end earlier than scheduled time.

Ages: 15 & older

Location: Friendship YMCA

For more info, contact: Megan at [email protected].

This is a recertification course. To maintain the Lifeguarding certification, a currently certified lifeguard must successfully complete the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Recertification course or the full Lifeguarding course again prior to certificate expiration. A 30-day grace period may apply but it does not extend the certification beyond the 2 years. Once the Lifeguarding certification expires, a participant must successfully complete the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.

Prerequisites:

1. Candidates must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Swim 150 yards use the front crawl, breaststroke or combination of both. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Goggles are allowed.
3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
   • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
   • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Ages: 15 & older

Course Schedule: 

• 3:30pm-8:30pm

Dates:

• April 20, 2026

Instructions for online pre-course work will be sent shortly after registering for the course; online course work must be completed prior to the in-person training.

Location: Friendship YMCA

For more info, contact: Megan at [email protected].

This is a recertification course. To maintain the Lifeguarding certification, a currently certified lifeguard must successfully complete the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Recertification course or the full Lifeguarding course again prior to certificate expiration. A 30-day grace period may apply but it does not extend the certification beyond the 2 years. Once the Lifeguarding certification expires, a participant must successfully complete the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.

Prerequisites:

1. Candidates must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Swim 150 yards use the front crawl, breaststroke or combination of both. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Goggles are allowed.
3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
   • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
   • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Course Schedule: 

• Friday, April 24, 2026 from 5-9pm
• Saturday, April 25 from 2-8pm

These times allow for breaks and lunch.  Class may end earlier than scheduled time. Instructions for online pre-course work will be sent shortly after registering for the course; online course work must be completed prior to the in-person training. Persons must be present for all training days.

Ages: 15 & up

Location: Northern Dauphin County YMCA

For more info, contact: Jasmine at [email protected].