Glossary
Lifeguard certification
Training that qualifies someone to work as a lifeguard. Red Cross lifeguard students must be at least 15 and pass a swim test.
Lifeguard certification is the training and testing that qualify a person to work as a lifeguard at a pool, waterfront or waterpark. The American Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says its lifeguarding students must be at least 15 years old by the last day of class and pass a swimming skills test before training begins. Courses are offered in person or blended with online work, and the training covers water and land rescue, CPR, AED use and first aid.
The Red Cross also offers shorter review courses for people whose certification is current or expired by no more than 30 days, plus versions for shallow water, waterfronts and waterparks.
Ways to prepare:
- build swimming endurance and practice treading water;
- in New York City, NYC Parks Swim Prep (opens in a new tab) offers free coaching for swimmers 16 and older who want to pass the city's lifeguard qualifying test;
- ask local pools and beaches what certification they require, since employers set their own rules.
Lifeguarding is a great job for strong teen and adult swimmers, and every new lifeguard makes a pool or beach safer. The U.S. Lifesaving Association, quoted by the National Weather Service (opens in a new tab), puts the chance of drowning at a lifeguarded beach at 1 in 18 million. See how to become a lifeguard and lifeguard.
What you can do today: search for the next lifeguard class near you.