Skip to content

Lifeguard Certification

Lifeguard Certification

Build a skill. Save a life.

Whether you are looking for a great summer job or career as a professional lifeguard, the Ozarks Regional YMCA Lifeguard program is the place to begin! Through classroom activities, group discussion, and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work as a lifeguard.

The YMCA offers a full American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course that includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer, first aid, administering emergency oxygen, equipment-based rescues for aquatic environments, accident prevention and decision-making skills.

Build a skill. Save a life.

Whether you are looking for a great summer job or career as a professional lifeguard, the Ozarks Regional YMCA Lifeguard program is the place to begin! Through classroom activities, group discussion, and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work as a lifeguard.

The YMCA offers a full American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course that includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer, first aid, administering emergency oxygen, equipment-based rescues for aquatic environments, accident prevention and decision-making skills.

LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION

This course is designed to provide participants the knowledge and skills necessary to be a lifeguard and professional rescuer.

The comprehensive course offers up-to-date information on how to guard by anticipating and preventing problems before they occur and how to take action to help those in danger when necessary. The course includes accident prevention, guarding techniques, pool management and even more safety skills.

Lifeguard Requirements

Age: Must be 15 years old by the last day of class

Prerequisites: Must pass all required swimming skills and rescue skills to receive certification. If you continue in the class after the prerequisite swim and you do not pass the course you will not be issued a refund.

Attendance: You must attend all days and all times in full to receive your certification. Make-up classes will not be issued for your absence.

Required Swimming Skills

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.)

Tread water for 2 minutes using legs only.

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

Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds without goggles: Starting in the water, you must swim 20 yards with your face in or out of the water, surface dive feet 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 your back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face out of the water, then exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE

FIND YOUR Y

We are proud to serve our community through programs and services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. From athletics to swimming, camp and fitness, the Y offers a great variety of activities that help people of all ages and abilities grow strong in spirit, mind and body.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE

FIND YOUR Y

We are proud to serve our community through programs and services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. From athletics to swimming, camp and fitness, the Y offers a great variety of activities that help people of all ages and abilities grow strong in spirit, mind and body.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Ozarks Regional YMCA recognizes that many of the children and families throughout our community would benefit from Y programs and services but cannot afford to participate. The Y's commitment to our community assures that financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Back To Top