Lifeguard Pre-Requisite (Guard Ready) Course

This course must be completed prior to taking the Lifeguard Certification class. It is is scheduled at many points throughout the year to fit your schedule. Visit our Details section for more information. You will be required to do the following:

• Show proof of age: Must be 15 by last scheduled day of class.
• Swim 300 yards continuously using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not allowed).  *This is the only portion of the class where goggles are allowed*
• Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds:
  • Swim 20 yards with your face out of the water. *Goggles not allowed*.
  • Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7’7” to retrieve a 10-pound dive brick.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back and swim back to the starting point with both hands holding the brick, keeping your face at or near the surface. You should not swim the distance under water. Candidates must exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.

Lifeguard Certification  Course

Must register and attend a Guard Ready class prior to attending this class. The Lifeguard Certification class is a blended learning course that combines online learning with in-person skills. Please plan to complete all eLearning modules at least two days prior to your first in-person skills session.  All blended learning materials can be found here: Red Cross Blended Learning Site

Minimum qualifications for candidate (tested during “Guard Ready” class):

• Must be at least 15 years old
• Must swim 300 yards continuously using either breaststroke or front crawl (you can switch)
• Brick retrieval test in 100 seconds or less
• Tread water without using hands, 2 minutes

All lifeguard candidates need to bring a buddy to class from within their direct contact circle. Lifeguard classes require close contact between training partners. Much of this time training partners are exercising heavily, where contact cannot be mitigated. We are using water mannequins as a training tool, but all candidates will need to bring a buddy to the class from within their contact circle. The buddy will be needed for four hours near the end of the course.  See description for specifics.

Your buddy can take the full lifeguard class as a regular student or be your buddy for the four hours required (at no cost).

Minimum qualifications for partner:

• Must be at least 14 years old.
• Must be strong enough to handle the water mannequin. If you can lift 50 pounds, you should be fine, and will be tested during Guard Ready.

For both candidate and buddy, you will need close fitting gloves that can get wet like Gorilla Gloves or gardening type gloves. There is a real shortage of medical gloves and these will make a great substitute for training.

Lifeguard Re-Certification and Review Course

Must have a current certification or your certification is no more than 120 days expired (temporary Red Cross variation). Guard-Ready not necessary to participate in this class.  You do NOT need a buddy for the re-certification class.  SwimRVA will be using mannequins for COVID safety.

Lifeguard Instructor Course (LGI)

This class will certify qualifying individuals as American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors (LGIs). Experienced Instructor Trainers will coach and polish your lifeguard skills, teaching skills, walk you through the Red Cross materials and systems, even share our experience teaching with water mannequins and social distancing. Our staff of Instructor Trainers is excited to get you started on your path as a Red Cross Instructor, ready to teach a range of lifeguarding and safety classes.

To take the class, you must be at least 17 years old and have current lifeguard certification with relatively strong skill level. This class will take approximately twenty seven hours including three, 3 hour video sessions and two days in the pool.

If you have any questions about this course please email our Director of Safety School, Ted, at ted.quinn@swimrichmond.org.

Lifeguard Instructor Update (LGI Update)

This course is AP-HSSAQU856, the Lifeguarding Instructor Review Course for current or soon to expire LGIs. This training will include advice on teaching classes with social distancing, plus hands on use of in-water mannequins. We’ve taught multiple classes with these new procedures and we are eager to share our experience.

SwimRVA will follow all health and safety guidelines in administering this course including masks and mannequins.  You will NOT need a buddy for this class.

It may be possible to recertify you as a guard during the class for an additional fee of $50.  If you have any questions about this course please email our Director of Safety School, Ted, at ted.quinn@swimrichmond.org.