Lifeguard Training in Dade County

If you spend time at beaches or swimming pools in Dade County, you will always see lifeguards on duty ensuring public safety. A lifeguard’s primary responsibility is to prevent accidents and respond effectively during emergencies, which requires professional training. Lifeguard training in Dade County fulfills this need by preparing individuals to protect swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools.

Dade County is home to beaches, swimming pools, and water attractions where people enjoy swimming year-round. With miles of coastline and a large number of public and private pools, aquatic recreation is a major part of life in the county. That’s why trained lifeguards are essential—they help protect swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and pool facilities. Because water activity increases during warmer months and peak vacation seasons, lifeguarding remains a high-demand profession in Dade County, especially when aquatic venues are busiest.

Lifeguard Training in Dade County

Lifeguards work at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and swimming pools throughout Dade County to ensure swimmer safety. With numerous aquatic recreation sites available, Dade County offers strong opportunities for individuals interested in lifeguarding.

Lifeguard training in Dade County is the first step toward building a successful career in aquatics. Once certified through a recognized organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates can pursue employment at beaches, pools, and aquatic facilities across the county.

ALA training centers in Dade County provide multiple lifeguard training programs and certifications. Although lifeguard demand is highest during the summer, training and employment opportunities are available year-round due to indoor pools and ongoing aquatic activities.

With more than 30 years of experience, the American Lifeguard Association has trained lifeguards who serve communities worldwide. An ALA certification is widely respected by employers and demonstrates professionalism and commitment to aquatic safety.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, both of which are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving water safety and reducing drownings.

ALA’s mission is to make beaches, swimming pools, and waterways safer. To achieve this goal, ALA works directly with employers across the Dade County to train qualified lifeguard professionals and establish strong aquatic safety standards.

ALA has been referenced and recognized by major 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 training programs have complied with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. ALA programs also reflect ECC science and findings from the Dade County Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition Report. In addition, ALA requires employers to meet Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations for pre-service evaluations and in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Dade County

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training course in Dade County, candidates must meet the minimum age requirements under U.S. labor laws:

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

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

Candidates must also successfully complete the following prerequisite skills:

Swim 300 yards continuously using the following strokes:

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

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

• 100 yards of either front crawl or breaststroke, or a combination of both

Timed skill test:

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

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

• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back while holding the object

• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps

• Complete the entire sequence within 1 minute and 40 seconds

Upon successful completion, participants receive an American Lifeguard Certificate in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid, valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Dade County: Long-Term Career Options

Lifeguarding is often viewed as a seasonal job, especially for students, but it can develop into a long-term profession. In Dade County, year-round employment is available at indoor pools, fitness centers, and aquatic facilities.

With additional training, certified lifeguards can advance into higher-paying roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These positions provide career growth, leadership opportunities, and a chance to contribute to public health and safety.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Dade County

ALA lifeguard training equips participants with a comprehensive set of rescue, CPR/AED, and First Aid skills required for professional lifeguarding.

Rescue Skills

• Slide-In Entry

• Stride and Compact Jumps

• Rescue Approach (front crawl or breaststroke)

• Simple Assist

• Extension Assist from the Deck

• Reaching and Throwing Assists

• Swimming Extension Rescue

• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rescues

• Two-Person Removal Using a Backboard

• Passive Submerged Victim in Shallow Water

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Submerged Victim Rescue in Deep Water

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escapes

Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injuries

• Manual In-Line Stabilization on Land

• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim

• Head Splint Techniques (Face-Up and Face-Down, Shallow and Deep Water)

• Head and Chin Support Techniques

• In-Line Stabilization for Submerged Victims

• Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

• Removing Gloves

• Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (Adult, Child, Infant)

• Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitation (Two Rescuers)

• Conscious and Unconscious Choking

• CPR (One-Rescuer and Two-Rescuer)

• AED Use for Adult and Child

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment

• Controlling External Bleeding

• Applying Slings and Binders

• Applying Anatomic and Soft Splints

Final Skill Scenarios

• Active Drowning Victim

• Submerged Passive Drowning Victim

• Head, Neck, or Back Injury

The Final Wave

The primary purpose of lifeguard training is to ensure swimmer safety at all times. Lifeguards often monitor their assigned areas from elevated chairs, patrol open water zones, and use rescue equipment such as binoculars when needed.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized as one of the leading aquatic safety and health training providers in the Dade County. With more than 30 years of experience, ALA delivers high-quality training guided by a strong code of ethics.

If you are searching for lifeguard training in Dade County or looking up “lifeguard training near me,” the American Lifeguard Association is the right choice. For more information about ALA lifeguard training and certification programs, please contact us.