Welcome to the American Lifeguard Association®

American Lifeguard and Safety Training™ with the lowest price guarantee. Individual and group training that can be completed anytime/anywhere to get certified right away with the support of employers and government agencies nationwide. The American Lifeguard Association is one of the top associations specializing in the training and certifying of candidates in the American aquatics and safety training profession.

About
American Lifeguard

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) has been offering training for over 30 years. It is a national educational association that has the full support of both the Swimming Pool and Spa Association and Global Lifeguards, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization. These organizations are all members of the Global Lifeguard Association, which make up one of the largest worldwide aquatic consortiums and have certified over 250,000 individuals, and saved countless lives over past quarter of a century. The American Lifeguard Association helps with the development of testing protocols and the administration of health and safety programs at swimming pools, waterparks, waterfronts, and beaches.

The American Lifeguard Association is the leading national organization for aquatic safety and training. The ALA provides lifeguard training, certification, waterpark operations, aquatics administration and management education to tens of thousands of lifeguards who work in pools, lakes, rivers—anywhere people swim.

The skills taught in our national program reflects ECC science and findings from the United States Lifeguard Standards Coalition Report.

Lifeguard Training and Classes in USA
Training We Offer

The American Lifeguard Association is the nation’s leading provider of aquatic safety education. We are here to prevent drowning and provide water rescue techniques that will save lives.

Lifeguard Training

Learn how to become a lifeguard today! Learn to save lives and stay safer with our lifeguard training.

Digital Lifeguard Training

ALA feels proud to be one of the best and most trusted providers of Digital Lifeguard Training.

Online Lifeguard Training

We offer online lifeguard training at an affordable price for those who want to become lifeguard.

On-site lifeguard training

Expert team at American Lifeguard Association proudly offers on-site lifeguard training programs for the learners.

Lifeguard class

At American Lifeguard Association we conduct regular classes for lifeguards training course for beginners.

Lifeguard requirements

Here you can find the details and requirements needed to become a certified Lifeguard.

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Professional Team

Our Mission

It is the mission of the American Lifeguard Association is to improve the quality and accessibility of Health & Safety programs to the public.

The purpose of the American Lifeguarding course is to teach candidates the Knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare candidates to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries. 

The course teaches the skills and practices necessary for proper, clean, safe maintenance and operation of aquatic facilities. Students are introduced to topics such as filtration and circulation systems, pool water sanitizing and control agents, water testing, spa maintenance and pool operation.

CPR / FIRST AID OVERVIEW

This comprehensive course meets training guidelines established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Topics covered include. How to determine the safe response to an emergency situation. Recognizing and caring for life-threatening emergencies in adults, such as respiratory, choking, and cardiac problems.

Better management
For Your Classes Lifeguard Instructors & Swim Coaches

The American Lifeguard Association has access to the ULC system to update the training records of all our students. Professional Lifeguard Instructors have access to enhanced services, allowing them to use the ULC database to manage their classes and training activities. 

The ULC system, which the American Lifeguard Association endorses, was designed with instructors in mind to make it easy for industry professionals to use best-of-breed practices in their daily activities.

Now instructors with the American Lifeguard Association and other recognized aquatics programs can easily manage on one site the credentials of all students who have completed their lifeguarding courses

Need help paying for courses?

The American Lifeguard Association has been approved for the Capital One Affiliate Program! for Tuition Assistance Loan

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Lifeguard Training program you can find more on our FAQ page if you don’t feel free to send us your questions on our contact us page

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours, but with our program, you can get certified at your own pace, and you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace.

The certifications is valid for two years from the date issued.

The certifications are valid for two years from the date issued.

The Lifeguard’s primary purpose is to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. A lifeguard course is not to learn how to teach swimming lessons, but national standards do require that swim instructors and swim coaches also hold a lifeguard certification.

Prerequisites: Minimum age: 15 years; Swim 300 yards continuously; Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds by starting in the water, swimming 20 yards, surface dive 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, exit the water without using steps or a ladder.

US Labor Laws require that you be 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, water park, lake, and 16 years or older at beaches.

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours, but with our program, you can get certified at your own pace, and you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace.

The lifeguard course provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. Participants who complete the Lifeguarding course receive a certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for two years.

If you have never taken a lifeguard course, you will want to take the First Time Lifeguard course or Shallow Water Lifeguard course. If you need to renew your lifeguard certification, then you may take the Lifeguard recertification course.

Participants who complete the Lifeguarding course receive a certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for two years.

Full American Lifeguard Association® Profile

American Lifeguard Association Overview

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is one of the world’s oldest and largest lifeguard training organizations. The ALA is dedicated to providing quality aquatic safety programs for everyone. We utilize public education, research and development, industry outreach, professional guidance, and accreditation services to achieve our goals.

Established in 1991, the ALA has grown into an international leader in aquatic safety, helping millions of people stay safe around water every day. With headquarters located outside Washington DC, the ALA’s mission is simple: to provide first responders with the knowledge to save lives. We seek to promote health and safety through training, certification, and continued education in aquatics. Over the past 30 years, ALA has trained over 250,000 individuals and currently has over 25,000 active members.

The ALA offers a variety of lifeguard training programs to meet the needs of our communities. Our certification program is accomplished through an instructor-led video training program, offering online materials and a final online exam that lets you get certified as an individual or small group right away. The training can be accomplished on your own and at your own pace. Upon completing the online portion of the program, you will be issued a two-year national certification in lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid. All the training materials, including the videos, will remain available to you throughout your two years of certification so that you can refresh your skills at any time. With this blended program, employers assess your skills and encourage you to continue practicing the skills through in-service training.

The skills taught in our national program reflect ECC science and the findings from the United States Lifeguard Standards Coalition Report. Our training programs can be taken anywhere and are utilized by individuals, schools, universities, and community pools both here in the United States and abroad. Over the years, the ALA has been listed on the CDC Healthy Swimming website. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor and the General Service Administration (GSA) have determined that the ALA offers lifeguard certification programs similar to those provided by the American Red Cross.

Lifeguard training is essential for the safety of swimmers everywhere, not just in the USA. ALA offers comprehensive lifeguard courses for everyone, from professional lifeguards to general aquatic facility attendants. These courses include knowledge of water rescues, CPR/AED training, injury support care, spinal injury management, emergency response protocol, and more.

We offer lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid programs year-round, in addition to many other aquatic-related courses throughout the USA and virtually worldwide. We also focus on providing emergency management services through workshops, seminars, and conferences. Lifeguards play a vital role in any aquatic environment, especially when beaches and pools reach high visitor volumes during busy seasons. Lifeguard training is key to keeping everyone safe while having fun.

We provide lifeguard courses at various locations across the USA including, but not limited to: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The ALA also focuses on providing emergency management services through workshops, seminars, and conferences. 

Lifeguards are needed at beaches, public pools, water parks, hotels, city facilities, children’s camps, resorts, and spas worldwide. Lifeguarding is a professional career, and ALA is ready to assist you with training and certification. Our lifeguards are extensively trained in lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid. ALA’s lifeguard courses focus on the latest water safety techniques, as well as CPR, AED, and injury support care. With our help, you’ll be prepared in emergency situations.

Lifeguard Certification – Lifeguard Certification involves more than just knowledge of rescue procedures; it includes physical requirements such as strength and endurance testing, as well as practical application skills. The ALA Lifeguard Certification is designed to help lifeguards develop the necessary skills for working in aquatic environments. This certification includes Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid Training.

CPR/AED and First Aid – This course will teach you how to respond quickly and effectively in an emergency through both CPR and AED instruction, as well as First Aid. Lifeguards are trained on how to assess situations and respond to emergencies. Through our program, lifeguards learn life-saving techniques that may only take a few minutes to potentially save a life.

Swimming Pool Operators Course– This class teaches swimming and management skills for managing a pool. Individuals are taught how to properly perform duties, provide quality safety measures, prevent injuries, and save lives. The pool operators course is specifically designed with the pool supervisor in mind, who is responsible for the overall operation of swimming pools. This management course will significantly increase one’s ability to handle potential problems before they escalate, improving safety at your facility and around the community. 

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