Lifeguard Courses and Certification in Chemung County

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

Swimming and water recreation remain popular in Chemung County, especially during the summer months when attendance increases at outdoor swim areas and seasonal aquatic programs. Indoor pools and recreation facilities can also keep swimmers active year-round. This consistent participation creates a steady demand for trained and certified lifeguards across the county.

Lifeguards in Chemung County

Lifeguards serve at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and swimming pools throughout Chemung County to protect swimmers and support a safe aquatic environment. Their responsibilities include monitoring assigned zones, recognizing hazards early, enforcing safety rules, assisting distressed swimmers, and providing emergency care when needed.

Lifeguard training in Chemung County is the first step toward building a career in aquatics. Once certified by a respected organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates become well-positioned to seek employment at pools, recreation centers, camps, and aquatic programs within Chemung County.

ALA training programs are especially popular during peak swimming seasons, but indoor facilities and ongoing aquatic activities can create opportunities beyond summer. Earning an ALA certification demonstrates preparedness, professionalism, and a strong commitment to swimmer safety.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) 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 standards. Through education, training, and professional development, ALA promotes safer aquatic environments, including facilities that serve communities in Chemung County.

ALA’s mission is to make swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer. To achieve this, ALA works directly with employers across North America to train lifeguards and establish strong safety practices. This partnership-based approach helps ensure that lifeguards serving in Chemung County are trained to respond effectively and meet professional expectations.

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

• The CDC Healthy Swimming Program
• The U.S. Department of Labor
• The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

Since the early 1990s, ALA has aligned its programs with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for employee safety. Training reflects current Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) science and incorporates findings from national aquatic safety research. ALA also encourages aquatic employers in Chemung County to follow Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations for pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Chemung County

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training course in Chemung County, 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 ALA prerequisite skills to successfully complete the program:

Swim 300 Yards Continuously (in this order)

• 100 yards of front crawl using 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)

Timed Event (1 minute, 40 seconds)

Starting in the water, the candidate must:

• 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

Certification Validity

Upon successful completion, each participant receives an American Lifeguard Certificate indicating:

• Lifeguard

• CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

• First Aid

All credentials are typically valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Chemung County: Long-Term Career Options

Although many people begin lifeguarding as a summer job, it can develop into a full-time profession. One of the best ways to benefit from lifeguard training in Chemung County is to pursue employment at facilities that need lifeguards year-round, including indoor pools and recreation centers.

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

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These positions can offer leadership opportunities, higher earning potential, and a long-term career pathway dedicated to public safety in Chemung County.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Chemung 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 Assist with Equipment 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

• 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

• Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (adult, child, infant)

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

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

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

• Using an AED (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

Final Thought

The primary role of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to keep swimmers safe through prevention, vigilance, and fast response. Lifeguards often monitor their area from a raised chair to improve visibility, patrol open-water zones when needed, and use essential rescue equipment during emergencies.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized as a leading aquatic health and safety training provider with decades of experience. ALA training follows strong safety standards and a commitment to professional quality.

For lifeguard training in Chemung 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, please contact us.