Lifeguard Training in Pulaski County

If you visit beaches, lakes, or swimming pools in Pulaski County, you will notice lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. A lifeguard’s essential job is to help prevent accidents and respond quickly in emergencies, which requires specialized training. Lifeguard training in Pulaski County serves this purpose, preparing individuals to protect swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools.

Pulaski County, like many parts of the United States, has a strong swimming culture through public pools, recreation centers, aquatic facilities, and seasonal water attractions. These locations require trained professionals who can supervise swimmers, enforce safety rules, and respond immediately when emergencies occur. Because aquatic activity increases during warmer months and school breaks, the demand for certified lifeguards in Pulaski County often rises during peak seasons.

Lifeguard Training in Pulaski County

Lifeguards serve at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and swimming pools to protect swimmers and maintain safe aquatic environments. With multiple water recreation opportunities available, Pulaski County is no different; lifeguards are needed wherever community members and visitors enjoy swimming and water activities.

Lifeguard training in Pulaski County is the first step toward building a strong opportunity in the aquatics field. Once certified by a respected organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates become well-positioned to seek employment at pools, aquatic centers, waterparks, and other facilities.

ALA training centers in Pulaski County offer multiple lifeguard training programs and certifications. While demand is highest in the summertime, training and job opportunities continue throughout the year due to indoor pools and year-round aquatic facilities.

With more than 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards who now serve communities worldwide. An ALA certification helps show employers that you have completed professional training and are prepared to take responsibility for public 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 dedicated to reducing drownings and improving aquatic safety.

ALA’s mission is to make swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer. To achieve this, ALA works directly with employers nationwide to help train lifeguard professionals and strengthen safety practices across aquatic facilities.

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 Services Administration (GSA)

Since the early 1990s, ALA has ensured that its programs meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Training also reflects ECC science and incorporates findings from the United States Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition Report. In addition, ALA requires employers to meet the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations for pre-service evaluations and in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Pulaski County

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training course, candidates must meet the minimum age requirements generally recognized nationwide:

• 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 demonstrate the following prerequisite skills to complete the program successfully:

Swim 300 yards continuously, using the following strokes:

• 100 yards of front crawl with rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propulsive 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)

Complete a timed event:

• Start in the water, 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 to the starting point with the object

• Exit the water without using steps or a ladder

• Complete all within 1 minute and 40 seconds

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

Lifeguarding in Pulaski County: Long-Term Career Options

Although many view lifeguarding as a summer job for students, it can grow into a long-term profession. Year-round opportunities are available at indoor pools, aquatic facilities, and recreation centers.

With additional training, lifeguards can advance into roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These positions offer higher pay potential, leadership opportunities, and long-term growth in the aquatics and public safety field.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Pulaski County

During the ALA lifeguard training course, participants develop a comprehensive set of skills across 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 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

• Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injuries

• Manual In-Line Stabilization on land (lying down, sitting, or standing)

• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim

• Head Splint Techniques (face-up and face-down, shallow or deep water)

• Head and Chin Support (face-up and face-down, shallow or deep water)

• In-Line Stabilization for Submerged Victims

• Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

• Removing Gloves and Performing an Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (adult, child, infant)

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

• Conscious and Unconscious Choking (adult, child, infant)

• CPR (one-rescuer and two-rescuer for adult, child, infant)

• AED Use (adult and child)

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 role of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to keep swimmers safe. Lifeguards often monitor their area from a raised chair, patrol open water zones, and use binoculars or rescue equipment as needed.

The American Lifeguard Association is considered one of the leading aquatic health and safety training providers in the United States. With more than 30 years of experience, ALA delivers training guided by a strict code of ethics and a commitment to excellence.

For a lifeguard course in Pulaski County, if you are searching for “lifeguard training near me,” the American Lifeguard Association is the right choice. For more information on ALA lifeguard training and certification programs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.