Become a Certified Lifeguard in Belgium with ALA

If you visit beaches or swimming pools in Belgium, you will notice lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. A lifeguard’s essential role is to prevent accidents and respond quickly in emergencies—something that requires professional training. Lifeguard training in Belgium serves this purpose by preparing individuals to safeguard swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools.

Belgium has a North Sea coastline of about 65 kilometers, along with numerous lakes, rivers, and pools that attract swimmers year-round. During the busy summer months, the demand for lifeguards increases significantly to cover both open water and indoor aquatic facilities.

Lifeguard Training in Belgium

Lifeguards in Belgium serve at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools to keep swimmers safe. With so many aquatic facilities available, there are ample opportunities for those who wish to become lifeguards and turn it into a rewarding career.

Lifeguard training in Belgium is the first step toward working in aquatics. Once certified by a respected organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates are prepared for employment at a wide range of aquatic locations.

ALA training centers in Belgium offer multiple lifeguard training programs and certifications. While summer remains the busiest season, opportunities extend year-round thanks to Belgium’s many indoor aquatic centers and water recreation activities.

With over 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards who now serve communities worldwide. Certification through ALA provides a credential recognized by employers and demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and professionalism.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, both 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 across Europe and North America to provide lifeguard training and establish strong safety practices.

ALA has been referenced by major 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 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.
  
  

Training also reflects the latest ECC science and findings from the Belgian 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 Belgium

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training program in Belgium, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Age Requirement

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

  • 16 years or older to work at a beach or waterfront

• Swimming and Rescue Skills

  • Swim 300 yards continuously:

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

    • 100 yards breaststroke using the pull-breath-kick-glide technique

    • 100 yards of either front crawl or breaststroke (or combination)

  • Timed Event:

    • Start in the water, swim 20 yards (front crawl or breaststroke)

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

    • Swim 20 yards back, carrying the object

    • Exit the water without steps or a ladder

    • All within 1 minute 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 Belgium: Long-Term Career Options

Although many see lifeguarding as a seasonal summer job, it can also become a long-term profession. Year-round employment is available at indoor pools and aquatic centers, and lifeguards can progress into roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These advanced roles provide higher pay, leadership opportunities, and a chance to build a lasting career dedicated to public safety.

Learning skills with lifeguard training in Belgium

Lifeguarding Course Participants at the American Lifeguard Association will learn:

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 Rear Rescue
• Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard
• Passive Submerged Victim-Shallow Water
• Multiple-Victim Rescue
• Feet-First Surface Dive
• Submerged Victim-Deep Water
• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escape

Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injury Skills

• Manual In-Line Stabilization for a Head, Neck, or Back Injury on Land- Lying Down, Sitting, or Standing
• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Dow Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head and Chin Support-Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head and Chin Support-Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Down Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
• Head and Chin Support-Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
• In-Line Stabilization for a Submerged Victim-Face-Up, Face-Down, or on One Side in Deep Water
• Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water

 CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

• Removing Gloves
• Initial Assessment
• Rescue Breathing-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator-Two Rescuers
• Conscious Choking-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Unconscious Choking-Adult, Child, and Infant
• CPR-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Two-Rescuer CPR-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Using an AED-Adult and Child

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment
• Controlling External Bleeding
• Applying a Sling and Binder
• Applying an Anatomic Splint
• Applying a Soft Splint

Final Skill Scenarios to be Demonstrated

• Final Skill Scenario 1-Active Drowning Victim
• Final Skill Scenario 2-Submerged Passive Drowning Victim
• Final Skill Scenario 3-Head, Neck, or Back Injury.
  
  

Would you like to read about: Lifeguard Training in France

Famous Belgian Beaches Where Lifeguards Are Essential

1. Knokke-Heist (West Flanders)
One of Belgium’s most famous seaside resorts, Knokke-Heist features wide sandy beaches, high-end facilities, and seasonal lifeguard services. It is especially busy in summer with families and tourists.

2. Ostend Beach (Oostende, West Flanders)
Known as the “Queen of Belgian Seaside Resorts,” Ostend has a bustling promenade, events, and plenty of lifeguards on duty during peak season.

3. Blankenberge Beach (West Flanders)
A lively family-friendly beach with a pier, water activities, and designated swimming zones patrolled by lifeguards.

4. De Haan Beach (West Flanders)
Famous for its charming Belle Époque architecture and long stretch of sand. Lifeguards patrol the main swimming zones in summer.

5. Nieuwpoort Beach (West Flanders)
A spacious and scenic beach popular with families and water sports enthusiasts. Lifeguard services operate in designated areas.

6. Bredene Beach (West Flanders)
Belgium’s only official naturist beach also offers family-friendly zones. Lifeguards monitor safe swimming sections during summer.

The Final Wave

The main purpose of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to keep swimmers safe. Lifeguards monitor their areas from high chairs, patrol open waters, and use rescue equipment as needed.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized as one of the leading aquatic health and safety training providers worldwide. With over three decades of experience, ALA continues to deliver training with professionalism, ethics, and dedication to excellence.

For lifeguard training in Belgium, if you are searching for “lifeguard training near me,” the American Lifeguard Association is the right choice. For more details about ALA lifeguard certification programs in Belgium, please contact us.