Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Lifeguard Training program you can find more on our FAQ page if you don’t feel free to send us your questions on our contact us page

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours, but with our program, you can get certified at your own pace, and you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace.

The certifications is valid for two years from the date issued.

The certifications are valid for two years from the date issued.

The Lifeguard’s primary purpose is to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. A lifeguard course is not to learn how to teach swimming lessons, but national standards do require that swim instructors and swim coaches also hold a lifeguard certification.

Overall the lifeguard course is not designed to be hard. In general, there is two separate lifeguard course. One requires you to swim 300 yards continuously while the other is for shallow water pools with depths of 5 feet or less, and the individual needs only to swim 50 yards continuously. With both courses, you will be required to retrieve a 10-pound object under a certain amount of time, but for deepwater, you must swim with it, and with Shallow water lifeguarding, you may walk with it.

With current national standards, all facilities must establish ways to confirm and maintain adequate skills competency for all lifeguards, including new, returning, seasonal, and current lifeguards. Required certifications and pre-employment tests can be part of that process but do not eliminate the need for on-site orientation and in-service training. By doing so, the employers will meet the new U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Good Faith Efforts.

The national standards also state that the screening tests should not be so strict that they end up excluding lifeguard candidates whose skills are not as good but whose dedication and personal characteristics could make them a better lifeguard than a person who can swim faster.

This question should be omitted for they are taking lifeguarding, CPR/AED and First Aid and not just CPR.

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours, but with our program, you can get certified at your own pace, and you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace.

The lifeguard course provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. Requirements: Minimum age: 15 years; Swim 300 yards continuously; Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds by starting in the water, swimming 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, exit the water without using steps or a ladder. 

 

US Labor Laws require that you be 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, water park, lake, and 16 years or older at beaches.

This question should be omitted for it gives an impression that the individual is trying to cut corners.

Requirements: Minimum age: 15 years; Swim 300 yards continuously; Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds by starting in the water, swimming 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, exit the water without using steps or a ladder.

Participants who complete the Lifeguarding course receive an American Lifeguard certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.

Swimming Skills:

If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, you will pass the swimming test portion of the lifeguard certification requirements.

  • Can you swim for 300 yards without stopping using the following 3 strokes in this order and with the proper form?
  1. Front crawl (freestyle) for 100 yards
  2. Breaststroke for 100 yards
  3. Either the front crawl or the breaststroke for the final 100 yards
  • Can you retrieve a weight from the bottom of the pool within a time limit of 1 minute and 40 seconds?

Beginning in the water, you must swim for 20 yards using either the front crawl or the breaststroke. You must then complete a surface dive to “rescue” a 10- weight that is 7–10 ft below the surface. Once the weight is retrieved, you must swim back to the point where you started (a distance of 20 yards) and get out of the pool without using steps or a ladder.

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
  • Submerged Victim—Deep Water
  • Multiple-Victim Rescue
  • Feet-First Surface Dive
  • 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-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, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
  • Head and Chin Support—Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
  • Head and Chin Support—Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
  • Head and Chin Support—Face-Down 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

Skill Scenarios:

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

 

The American Lifeguard Association® offers a national certification program that can be started and completed at any time and regardless of where you live. With our nationally recognized certification program, you can begin training anywhere and finish it at any time. After enrolling, you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace. It is an online program that uses videos, manuals, and exams that you can achieve independently and at your own pace. 

The certification program is done through an instructor-led video training program with online materials and a final online exam that lets you get certified right away as an individual or in a small group. The training can be accomplished on your own and at your own pace. Upon completing the program, you will be issued a two-year national certification in lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid.

Prerequisites: Minimum age: 15 years; Swim 300 yards continuously; Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds by starting in the water, swimming 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, exit the water without using steps or a ladder.

US Labor Laws require that you be 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, water park, lake, and 16 years or older at beaches.

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours, but with our program, you can get certified at your own pace, and you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace.

The lifeguard course provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. Participants who complete the Lifeguarding course receive a certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for two years.

If you have never taken a lifeguard course, you will want to take the First Time Lifeguard course or Shallow Water Lifeguard course. If you need to renew your lifeguard certification, then you may take the Lifeguard recertification course.

Participants who complete the Lifeguarding course receive a certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for two years.

Prerequisites: Minimum age: 15 years; Swim 300 yards continuously; Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds by starting in the water, swimming 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, exit the water without using steps or a ladder.

This question is not applicable, for we do not offer lifeguard instructor courses, so leave this FAQ out of the bank of questions.

Review all instructor-led training videos and online materials

Once you register, you will receive links to our online training videos, as well as an online lifeguard reference manual. These materials will cover various skills and techniques associated with CPR/AED and First Aid. You need to become familiar with and able to perform the skills shown in these materials.

Complete the online final exam

After reviewing the training videos and additional online materials and can accomplish the skills, you will need to go online and take the final written exam. Successful completion of the final exam requires a score of 80% or higher. You may review your online materials if needed at any time. There is no time limit to take the exam, but it must be taken at one time, for you cannot leave the exam and return where you left off. If you leave the exam, you will need to start it over until completed. If you do not receive a passing grade, you can retake the exam until you pass no additional fees.

Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive a full printout of your exam score along with the correct answers to any questions you may have gotten wrong. We require that you look over your exam results to help ensure you know all the right answers. Upon completion, you will be given a lifeguard, CPR/AED, and First Aid certification. The certifications will be valid for two years from the date issued. The purpose of the ALA training program is to teach candidates the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.

You will receive an email confirming your successful completion of the program, and your records will be placed in a national verification system the same day you complete the final exam; you will receive a Deep-Water Lifeguard certification as a titled Professional Lifeguard along with First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

All our programs require the participants to continue to practice their skills both in and out of the water. You can find a full list of these swimming, rescue, and first aid skills below. Upon completing the above steps, participants will obtain a Deep-Water Lifeguard certification titled Professional Lifeguard and First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Per the new national standards, the certification will be valid for two years from the completion date.

The verification system allows validated certification to be viewed by employers and health department officials. We request that you print out a copy of your American Lifeguard Association certification once you receive this official email. Also, a waterproof, wallet-size certification card will be mailed to you the next business day.

Employee Orientation

An orientation session about facility operations and responsibilities helps lifeguards understand the facility, their responsibilities, and management’s expectations. The orientation is critical for learning what is unique about your workplace. Ask your employer questions about your facility and become completely familiar with your facility’s operations.

The employer ensures that each Lifeguard candidate has all the skills and knowledge necessary for the position they are being considered. The employer also needs to make sure the candidate meets the physical and all other elements before starting employment. The employer to evaluate your current skill level. Your employer may have you participate in rescue scenarios to ensure that you understand your team’s responsibilities and are familiar with your facility’s layout and equipment. 

Continue with in-service training with your employer.

Earning a lifeguarding certification means you have completed a training course on a given date. It does not mean that you have learned everything there is to know about lifeguarding. Once hired as a lifeguard, you should expect that you will be required to continue your training.  

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours. With the American Lifeguard Association® training program, you can get certified at your own pace, and you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace.

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours.

Traditionally the course length is approximately 25 hours, but with the American Lifeguard Association® training program, you can get certified at your own pace, and you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace.

We offer a national certification program that can be started and completed at any time and regardless of where you live. With our nationally recognized certification program, you can begin training anywhere and finish it at any time. After enrolling, you can complete your certification program in as little as a few days or a weekend, or you can feel free to go at your own pace. It is an online program that uses videos, manuals, and exams that you can achieve on your own and at your own pace. 

With the American Lifeguard Association® blended program, the employer assess your skills and encourage you to continue practicing the skills through in-service training. The certification program is done through an instructor-led video training program with online materials and a final online exam that lets you get certified right away as an individual or in a small group. The training can be accomplished on your own and at your own pace. Upon completing the program, you will be issued a two-year national certification in lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid.