Lifeguard Class and training in Catoosa County

If you regularly visit a beach, lake, waterpark, or swimming pool, you’ve probably noticed lifeguards on duty making sure everyone stays safe. A lifeguard’s main responsibility is to prevent accidents and respond fast during emergencies—so proper training is essential. Lifeguard class in Catoosa County is designed for exactly that: preparing individuals to protect swimmers at pools, beaches, lakes, water parks, and other aquatic facilities.

The Catoosa County is full of places where people swim and enjoy the water. From long coastlines to thousands of pools and recreation facilities, there’s no shortage of aquatic activity. With so many swimmers, a strong lifeguard workforce is needed—especially in peak seasons like summer when water activity increases. That’s why lifeguarding remains a high-demand role in many areas.

Lifeguard Class in Catoosa County

Lifeguards work at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and swimming pools to supervise swimmers and respond to incidents quickly. Across the U.S., there are countless places to enjoy water-based recreation, and Catoosa County is no exception.

Lifeguard class in Catoosa County is a key step if you want to enter the aquatics field. After earning your lifeguard certification through a recognized provider such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), you can pursue opportunities at pools, water facilities, and waterfront locations.

ALA training centers offer multiple course options and certifications. While interest often rises during the summer, lifeguard certification can be valuable year-round because indoor pools and aquatic programs operate in many communities throughout the year.

An ALA certification helps demonstrate professional readiness and can support your job search at facilities that value reputable credentials. With more than 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards who serve communities around the world.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on improving aquatic safety and helping reduce drowning incidents.

ALA’s goal is to make swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer. To support that mission, ALA works with employers nationwide to help develop lifeguard professionals and promote strong safety practices.

ALA has been referenced by public health and safety organizations, including:

• The CDC Healthy Swimming

• The U.S. Department of Labor

• The U.S. General Service Administration (GSA)

Since the early 1990s, ALA has worked to keep its training aligned with Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA requirements. Program skills reflect ECC science and incorporate findings from lifeguard class standards coalitions. ALA programs also require employers to follow Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations, including pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Class in Catoosa County

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguarding course, candidates must meet the age requirements commonly recognized under U.S. labor guidelines:

• 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, waterpark, or lake

• 16 years or older to work at a beach or waterfront facility

Candidates must also complete prerequisite skills to successfully pass the program:

Swim 300 yards continuously, using these strokes:

• 100 yards front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick (breathing to the side or front is acceptable)

• 100 yards breaststroke using a pull, breath, kick, and glide sequence

• 100 yards front crawl or breaststroke (or a combination of both)

Complete a timed event:

• Start in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke

• Surface dive 7–10 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object

• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back with the object

• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps

• Finish within 1 minute and 40 seconds

After successful completion, each participant receives an American Lifeguard Certificate indicating Lifeguard, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid, valid for two years.

Lifeguard Class in Catoosa County for long-term career

Many people think lifeguarding is only a seasonal job—often associated with students and summer work. However, it can also develop into a long-term career, especially for those who seek year-round roles.

A great way to maximize the value of Lifeguard class in Catoosa County is to work at facilities that operate throughout the year, such as indoor aquatic centers. With advanced training, lifeguards can also move into higher-level roles, including:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These roles often offer improved pay, leadership responsibilities, and long-term career growth.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Class in Catoosa County

In the ALA course, participants build a wide range of skills across rescue response, CPR/AED, and First Aid.

Rescue Skills

• Slide-In Entry

• Stride and Compact Jumps

• Rescue Approach (Front Crawl or Breaststroke)

• Simple Assist

• Extension Assist from the Deck

• Reaching Assist with Equipment and Throwing Assist

• Swimming Extension Rescue

• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rear Rescue

• Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard

• Passive Submerged Victim (Shallow Water)

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Submerged Victim (Deep Water)

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escape

Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injury Skills

• Manual In-Line Stabilization for Head/Neck/Back Injuries on Land (Lying Down, Sitting, Standing)

• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land

• Head Splint Technique (Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at/near Surface)

• Head Splint Technique (Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at/near Surface)

• Head and Chin Support (Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at/near Surface)

• Head and Chin Support (Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at/near Surface)

• Head Splint Technique (Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at/near Surface)

• Head Splint Technique (Face-Down Victim, Deep Water at/near Surface)

• Head and Chin Support (Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at/near Surface)

• In-Line Stabilization for a Submerged Victim (Face-Up, Face-Down, or One Side in Deep Water)

• Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

• Removing Gloves

• Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (Adult, Child, Infant)

• Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator (Two Rescuers)

• Conscious Choking (Adult, Child, Infant)

• Unconscious Choking (Adult, Child, Infant)

• CPR (Adult, Child, Infant)

• Two-Rescuer CPR (Adult, Child, Infant)

• Using an AED (Adult and Child)

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment

• Controlling External Bleeding

• Applying a Sling and Binder

• Applying an Anatomic Splint

• Applying a Soft Splint

Final Skill Scenarios

• Final Skill Scenario 1 – Active Drowning Victim

• Final Skill Scenario 2 – Submerged Passive Drowning Victim

• Final Skill Scenario 3 – Head, Neck, or Back Injury

The Final Wave

The purpose of lifeguard education is to prepare individuals to protect swimmers and respond confidently when emergencies occur. Lifeguards often monitor their zone from an elevated chair for clear visibility, and in larger open-water settings they may patrol the area. Tools like rescue equipment and binoculars are commonly used by first responders.

The American Lifeguard Association is widely regarded as a leading aquatic health and safety training provider in the Catoosa County. With more than 30 years of experience, ALA delivers training guided by a strong code of ethics and a commitment to high-quality instruction.

If you’re looking for Lifeguard class in Catoosa County and searching online for “lifeguard training near me,” the American Lifeguard Association is a strong choice. For more details about ALA programs and certification options, please contact ALA.