Albert Lea Community Education

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE COURSE DESCRIPTION AS THIS COURSE HAS MANY REQUIREMENTS TO RECIEVE CERTIFICATION

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. This program offers a choice of Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED courses to meet the various training needs of a diverse audience.

Prerequisites Candidates MUST: 

1. Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Swim 300 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. Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits
4. 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.

Certification Requirements Candidates MUST:

• Attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
• Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during scenarios
• Demonstrate competency in all required skills
• Pass the final skills scenarios
• Successfully pass final written exams with a minimum grade of 80%. If a participant fails to reach the minimum 80% on the final written exam, a retest is allowed using the other version of the exam, provided that the participant has passed the practical assessment
• Blended Learning only: complete all eLearning modules.

Certificate Issued and Validity Period The American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED is valid for 2 years.

IMPORTANT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• This course is FREE to Albert Lea School District Students ONLY and is made possible through a federal grant that the district received.
• Informational sessions are MANDATORY. You and your student MUST attend in order to be eligible for the swim test, online course and in-person training.
  • After attending an informational session you can enroll in one of the swim test slots available.
  • Once you pass your swim test a link to an online course will be sent to you. You will need to successfully pass and complete the online course in order to be eligible to enroll in the in-person training classes.
  • The online course takes roughly 7 hours to complete.
  • It is required by the American Red Cross that you complete 19 hours and 45 minutes of in-person training. Failure to do so will result in not receiving your Lifeguarding Certification.

Questions can be directed to Lindsey Eagan by calling 507-373-8228.