CPR/First Aid/AED Certifications

This American Red Cross class is a two year certification in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. It is the top certification for lay responders, perfect for educators, parents, workplace training, etc. This course will help to prepare you for any number of first aid situations involving adults, children or infants.

This course is divided into two sections: a free online training accessible at https://www.redcrosslearning.com/course/301040f0-c611-11e6-981d-bb8e5751112f followed by an in-person skill session. Please bring confirmation of online completion to your skill session.

Guard Ready/Pre-Requisite Course

All Lifeguard Certification course participants must register and complete a Guard Ready/Pre-Requisite course before attending a Lifeguard class.  The following are required to complete the Guard Ready course:

• 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.

Lifeguard Certification  Course

You 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

• 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.

Please be sure to complete all Blended Learning Modules before attending the class.

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.