The American Lifeguard Association’s (ALA) Junior Lifeguard Program is a comprehensive and engaging course designed specifically for young individuals aged 11 to 14. This program introduces participants to the basics of water safety, emergency preparedness, and lifeguarding, providing a strong foundation for future lifeguard training. The course offers flexibility in its structure, allowing participants to complete it at their own pace from the comfort of their home through an online platform. Available at an accessible price of $125, thanks to a national grant, this course is the perfect introduction to lifesaving skills for aspiring young lifeguards.

Why Choose the ALA Junior Lifeguard Program?

The ALA Junior Lifeguard Program is ideal for young people who are interested in gaining foundational knowledge about water safety and lifeguarding. It provides a stepping stone for future training by focusing on safety awareness, learning how to assist in pool area supervision, and gaining basic first aid and CPR knowledge. The curriculum is carefully designed to be age-appropriate and ensures that while participants are introduced to lifeguarding techniques, they are not expected to engage in in-water rescues.

This program helps young participants build confidence, develop a sense of responsibility, and become more aware of how to maintain safety in aquatic environments. The online format and self-paced structure make it convenient for busy schedules, as participants can progress through the course on their own time.

Upon completion, participants receive a Junior Lifeguard Certification, valid for two years. This certification not only represents their achievement but also prepares them for more advanced lifeguard training when they reach 15 years of age.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum of the ALA Junior Lifeguard Program focuses on introducing participants to the essential skills and knowledge required for water safety. However, it is important to note that candidates are not trained to enter the water or initiate water rescues. Instead, they are provided with a comprehensive overview of all the skills and techniques necessary for lifeguarding, preparing them for future training.

The Junior Lifeguard Program covers several critical areas, including:

1. Basic Water Safety: Participants learn the importance of following safety rules, identifying hazards in aquatic environments, and understanding how to prevent accidents before they happen.
2. Supervision Skills: The course emphasizes the importance of supervision and teaches participants how to observe pool areas for potential dangers. While juniors are not expected to intervene in emergencies, they learn how to assist in maintaining a safe environment by alerting professional lifeguards and other trained personnel when necessary.
3. Emergency Preparedness: Participants are introduced to the steps involved in emergency response, including how to properly communicate with lifeguards and first responders, and how to assist in a non-rescue capacity during emergencies.
4. Skill Development: Although in-water rescues are not part of the junior lifeguard curriculum, participants will gain a solid understanding of rescue techniques that will be useful when they pursue full lifeguard certification in the future.

Lifeguard Skills Overview

The program provides a detailed introduction to various lifeguard skills, even though junior participants are not expected to perform them. This comprehensive overview includes the following:

Swimming Skills:

• Slide-In Entry: A technique used by lifeguards to enter the water safely in situations where the water is shallow or when there is a concern about disturbing a victim.
• Stride and Compact Jumps: Lifeguards use these jumps to enter the water from a height safely, maintaining control during entry to perform a rescue.
• Rescue Approach: Participants learn about the proper swimming techniques (front crawl or breaststroke) used by lifeguards during a rescue approach.

Rescue Techniques:

• Simple Assist: This involves using basic tools and techniques to assist someone in need without entering the water.
• Extension Assist from the Deck: Lifeguards use equipment to extend their reach from the pool deck to help a victim without having to enter the water.
• Throwing Assist: Participants learn about devices like throw ropes or ring buoys, which can be thrown to a person in distress to help them stay afloat until help arrives.
• Swimming Extension Rescue: This technique is used when a lifeguard needs to swim out to a victim but does not make direct physical contact, using a tool to extend their reach instead.
• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rear Rescue: Lifeguards approach a drowning victim from behind and secure them to safely tow them to safety.
• Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard: This rescue technique is used when a victim has suffered a potential spinal injury, requiring careful stabilization.
• Passive Submerged Victim—Shallow Water: Lifeguards learn how to rescue an unconscious victim who is submerged in shallow water.
• Multiple-Victim Rescue: This advanced technique involves managing the rescue of more than one person in distress simultaneously.
• Feet-First Surface Dive: Lifeguards use this technique to dive in deep water to reach a submerged victim without losing control of their body position.
• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escape: These are self-defense techniques lifeguards use to escape a panicked victim’s grasp while performing a rescue.

Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injuries:

• Manual In-Line Stabilization for Head, Neck, or Back Injuries: This technique is crucial for preventing further injury to a victim who may have suffered spinal trauma.
• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land: Lifeguards use a backboard to stabilize a standing victim who has suffered a potential spinal injury.
• Head Splint Technique: Participants learn techniques for stabilizing a victim’s head and neck in the water to prevent further injury, both in shallow and deep water scenarios.

CPR/AED and First Aid Skills:

• Rescue Breathing: Participants are introduced to techniques for performing rescue breathing on adults, children, and infants.
• CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants: Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques are covered, including how to perform chest compressions and rescue breaths.
• AED Usage: Lifeguards must be trained to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) on victims suffering from cardiac arrest.
• Conscious and Unconscious Choking: Participants learn how to assist choking victims, both conscious and unconscious.
• Controlling External Bleeding: First aid techniques include how to stop bleeding using direct pressure and bandages.
• Applying Splints: Participants learn how to apply both anatomic and soft splints to stabilize broken bones or sprains.

Parental Reassurance and Safety Protocols

The safety of participants in the ALA Junior Lifeguard Program is a top priority. The program is designed to be educational and safe, ensuring that juniors are not required to perform in-water rescues or engage in any potentially dangerous activities. Instead, the focus is on building knowledge and skills that will prepare them for more advanced training when they are older.

Parents can be assured that their child is gaining valuable life skills, including leadership, responsibility, and confidence, in a controlled environment. The program encourages observation and preparedness rather than direct action, providing a strong foundation in water safety.

Lifelong Benefits and Future Opportunities

Completing the Junior Lifeguard Program opens doors to a wide range of future opportunities. The skills and knowledge gained in this course can serve as a foundation for more advanced lifeguard training, ultimately leading to professional certification at the age of 15. Having completed the Junior Lifeguard Program gives participants a competitive edge, as they will already be familiar with the basic concepts and skills required for lifeguarding.

Moreover, the program fosters important life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which are essential in any career path. By introducing participants to the principles of water safety, the program also helps them develop an appreciation for aquatic environments and the importance of maintaining safety in and around water.

How to Enroll

For more information and to register your child for the American Lifeguard Association’s Junior Lifeguard Program, please visit our website at www.americanlifeguardassociation.com. Registration is simple, and once enrolled, participants will have immediate access to the online training materials. There are no set deadlines for course completion, and participants can work at their own pace. Upon finishing the course, they will receive their certification, which is valid for two years.

Conclusion

The ALA Junior Lifeguard Program offers young individuals a unique opportunity to begin their journey into the world of lifeguarding and water safety. With its focus on safety awareness, supervision skills, and emergency preparedness, this program lays the groundwork for future success in lifeguarding and other water-related professions. Through its flexible format and engaging content, the program ensures that participants gain valuable knowledge while building confidence and responsibility.

By enrolling in the Junior Lifeguard Program, participants not only earn a prestigious certification but also acquire essential life skills that will benefit them in many areas of life. With the support of their parents and the guidance of the American Lifeguard Association, the next generation of lifeguards will be well-prepared to protect and serve our communities in aquatic environments.