Lifeguard Course and training in Chatham County

If you frequent beaches or swimming pools in Chatham County, you may have noticed the lifeguards diligently overseeing the safety of swimmers. The essential role of a lifeguard is to help prevent accidents and respond swiftly in emergencies, which requires specialized training. The Lifeguard Course in Chatham County provides this vital training—preparing individuals to safeguard swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools.

Chatham County is home to several beaches and numerous public swimming pools, making it an ideal location for individuals seeking lifeguard employment. With the growing demand for safety at aquatic venues, especially during the summer months, the need for lifeguards remains high. The lifeguard profession is one of great responsibility, with many opportunities for those ready to embrace it.

Lifeguard Course in Chatham County

Lifeguards are stationed at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and swimming pools across Chatham County to protect swimmers. With such an abundance of aquatic destinations, there are endless opportunities for individuals wishing to pursue a career in lifeguarding.

The Lifeguard Course in Chatham County is the first step towards entering a rewarding career in aquatics. Once certified by a respected organization like the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates can pursue job opportunities at beaches, pools, and aquatic centers throughout the area.

ALA’s training centers in Chatham County offer various lifeguard training programs and certifications. Though demand peaks in the summer, opportunities for training and employment persist year-round due to indoor aquatic facilities in operation throughout the county.

With over 30 years of experience, ALA has certified lifeguards who now work at aquatic facilities worldwide. Certification from ALA offers candidates a highly respected credential that employers trust, signifying competence in lifeguarding and a commitment to public safety.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, which are nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving aquatic safety and reducing drowning incidents. ALA’s primary mission is to promote safer swimming pools, beaches, and waterways by training lifeguards and fostering better safety practices nationwide.

ALA has been cited by prominent 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 1990s, ALA’s programs have adhered to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and reflect the latest scientific findings in Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC). ALA also ensures employers comply with the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) for safety evaluations and staff training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Course in Chatham County

To enroll in the Lifeguard Course in Chatham County, candidates must meet the following minimum age requirements, which are standard across the U.S.:

• 15 years or older to work at swimming pools, waterparks, or lakes

• 16 years or older to work at beaches or waterfront locations

In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following skills to complete the course:

• Swim 300 yards continuously, using these strokes:

  • 100 yards of front crawl with rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing kick

  • 100 yards of breaststroke with the pull, breath, kick, and glide technique

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

• Complete a timed event:

  • Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke

  • Dive 7–10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object

  • Return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object

  • Exit the water without a ladder or steps, all within 1 minute and 40 seconds

Upon successfully completing the course, each participant will receive an American Lifeguard Certificate, covering Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid, valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Chatham County: A Long-Term Career

While many see lifeguarding as a temporary summer job, it can evolve into a fulfilling, full-time profession. Year-round employment is available at indoor pools and aquatic centers, and with additional training, lifeguards can advance to higher-paying roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These positions offer greater compensation and leadership opportunities, allowing individuals to build a long-term career in aquatics and public health.

Learning Skills with the Lifeguard Course in Chatham County

Participants of the Lifeguard Course in Chatham County will learn a broad range of rescue, CPR/AED, and First Aid skills, which are essential to the lifeguard role.

Rescue Skills

• Slide-In Entry

• Stride and Compact Jumps

• Rescue Approach (front crawl or breaststroke)

• Simple Assist

• Extension Assist from the Deck

• Reaching Assist and Throwing Assist

• Swimming Extension Rescue

• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rescues

• Two-Person Removal with a Backboard

• Passive Submerged Victim in Shallow Water

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Submerged Victim Recovery in Deep Water

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escapes

• Managing Head, Neck, or Back Injuries

• Manual In-Line Stabilization for Head, Neck, or Back Injuries on Land

• Using a Backboard for Standing Victims on Land

• Head Splint Techniques for Shallow and Deep Water Victims

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

• Initial Assessment and Removing Gloves

• Rescue Breathing (for adults, children, and infants)

• Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator (with two rescuers)

• Handling Conscious and Unconscious Choking Victims (adults, children, and infants)

• CPR Techniques (one-rescuer and two-rescuer for adults, children, and infants)

• Using an AED (for adults and children)

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment

• Controlling External Bleeding

• Applying Slings, Binders, Anatomic, and Soft Splints

Final Skill Scenarios

• Active Drowning Victim
• Submerged Passive Drowning Victim
• Head, Neck, or Back Injury

The Final Wave

The core goal of the Lifeguard Course is to equip individuals with the skills necessary to ensure the safety of swimmers. Lifeguards often monitor from a raised chair, patrol open waters, and use binoculars or rescue tools when required.

The American Lifeguard Association is renowned as a top provider of aquatic health and safety training in Chatham County. With over 30 years of experience, ALA offers training grounded in a strict code of ethics, delivering quality training to safeguard the public.

For those looking for lifeguard certification in Chatham County, the American Lifeguard Association is the ideal choice. For more information about ALA’s lifeguard courses and certification programs, please feel free to contact us.