Lifeguard Training in Decatur County

If you frequently visit beaches, lakes, or swimming pools in Decatur County, you will notice trained lifeguards on duty to protect swimmers. A lifeguard’s primary responsibility is preventing accidents and responding effectively during emergencies, which requires professional training. Lifeguard training in Decatur County fulfills this need by preparing individuals to safeguard swimmers at pools, waterparks, lakes, and aquatic facilities.

Decatur County is home to plenty of places where people enjoy swimming, from community pools and recreation centers to nearby lakes and seasonal water attractions. Swimming is one of the most popular warm-weather activities, and as more families head to aquatic facilities, safety becomes a top priority. That is why trained lifeguards are essential—they supervise swim areas, prevent accidents, and respond quickly when emergencies happen. In Decatur County, the need for qualified lifeguards increases significantly during peak seasons, especially in the summer, when pools and outdoor swim locations see their highest visitor numbers.

Lifeguard Training in Decatur County

Lifeguards serve at swimming pools, lakes, waterparks, and recreational aquatic facilities across Decatur County. These professionals play a critical role in preventing injuries and responding quickly to emergencies.

Lifeguard training in Decatur County is the first step toward entering the aquatic safety field. After earning certification from a recognized organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates become eligible for employment at a wide range of aquatic facilities.

ALA training centers serving Decatur County provide multiple lifeguard training programs and certifications. Although lifeguard demand increases during the summer, indoor pools and year-round aquatic centers offer ongoing employment opportunities throughout the year.

With more than 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards who now serve communities across the Decatur County and around the world. An ALA certification is widely respected by employers and reflects strong professional standards in aquatic safety.

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 water safety and reducing drowning incidents.

ALA’s mission is to enhance safety at swimming pools, beaches, and waterways. To achieve this goal, the organization works closely with employers nationwide to train lifeguards and promote best practices in aquatic safety.

ALA has been recognized and referenced by several 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 aligned with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Training content reflects current ECC science and findings from the Decatur County Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition Report. ALA programs also support the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) requirements for pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Decatur County

To enroll in an American Lifeguard Association lifeguard training course in Decatur County, candidates must meet the following age requirements:

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

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

Candidates must also successfully complete the following prerequisite swimming skills:

Continuous Swim – 300 Yards

• 100 yards of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing 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 steps or a ladder

• Complete the task within 1 minute and 40 seconds

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

Lifeguarding in Decatur County: Long-Term Career Options

Although lifeguarding is often viewed as a seasonal or summer job, it can develop into a long-term career. Many aquatic facilities in Decatur County operate year-round and require trained lifeguards on a full-time basis.

With additional education and certifications, lifeguards can advance into higher-paying roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These positions offer increased responsibility, leadership opportunities, and career growth within the aquatic industry.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Decatur County

Participants in ALA lifeguard training programs gain extensive hands-on experience in rescue techniques, 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 and Throwing Assists

• Swimming Extension Rescue

• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rescues

• Two-Person Water Removal Using a Backboard

• Passive Submerged Victim Rescue (Shallow Water)

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Submerged Victim Recovery (Deep Water)

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escapes

Head, Neck, and Spine Injury Care

• Manual In-Line Stabilization on Land

• Using a Backboard for Standing Victims

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

• Head and Chin Support Techniques

• In-Line Stabilization for Submerged Victims

• Backboard Use in Shallow and Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

• Removing Gloves and Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (Adult, Child, Infant)

• Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitation (Two Rescuers)

• Conscious and Unconscious Choking Care

• One-Rescuer and Two-Rescuer CPR

• AED Use 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 primary objective of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to protect swimmers and respond effectively during emergencies. Lifeguards typically monitor their assigned areas from elevated chairs, patrol open water environments, and use tools such as rescue equipment and binoculars when needed.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized as a leading aquatic health and safety training provider in the Decatur County. With more than three decades of experience, ALA delivers professional training guided by strong ethics and a commitment to excellence.

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