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Did you know that Lifeguard Certification expires? Lifeguard certificate is required to be renewed every 2 years. Lifeguards begin the renewal process by taking an online Lifeguarding course, also called Lifeguard Recertification.
For Lifeguards looking to become certified or recertified, there are three options available: Lifeguard Recertification, Lifeguard Refresher, and Lifeguard Training Course.
Lifeguards are required to renew their certification every two years. Lifeguards can renew in one of three ways:
1) Lifeguard Recertification is an online course intended for lifeguards who have been certified through ALA in the past and need to renew their certification. Lifeguards who take Lifeguard Recertification do not need to retake the Lifeguarding skills test. Lifeguards will receive an official Lifeguard Certificate upon passing the online course. Lifeguards are required to complete Lifeguard Recertification every two years.
2) Lifeguard Refresher is an online refresher intended for lifeguards who need to requalify with minimal Lifeguard skills. Lifeguards will receive an official Lifeguard Certificate upon passing the online course. Lifeguards are required to complete Lifeguard refresher every two years.
3) Lifeguard Training Course is an online training intended for people looking to become a lifeguard or those seeking additional lifeguarding skills. Lifeguards will receive an official Lifeguard Certificate upon passing the online course. Lifeguards are required to complete Lifeguard Training Course every two years.
ALA Lifeguard Recertification consists of approximately three hours in length, and includes video demonstrations and written knowledge reviews that reinforce ALA’s Lifeguarding curriculum. Lifeguards must complete Lifeguard Recertification every two years in order to maintain Lifeguard Certification with ALA. The Lifeguard Recertification course is available for purchase on the Lifeguard Store. Lifeguard Professional Recertification: This training covers Lifeguarding, CPR / AED, First Aid, and Oxygen Supplement and Blood Pathogens. ALA is offering the new professional lifeguard renewal or recertification program to the new material for people who have been Lifeguards in the past.
The goal of the American Lifeguarding course is to teach candidates the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Course content and activities prepare candidates to quickly and effectively recognize and respond to emergencies and prevent drowning and injury. Below you will find a list of skills that will be covered in this course.
The training program requires good physical fitness. We recommend consulting with your healthcare professional before participating in the practice sessions. If there is a medical condition or disability that could prevent participation in the activities, or if there are questions about full participation in the Lifeguard course, please contact us by email to discuss this before the course begins.
You can be any age to enroll in the course, but US Labor Laws require you to be 15 or older to work in a pool, water park, or lake, and 18 or older to work on the beaches. To successfully pass the full Lifeguard course, you must be able to demonstrate the following skills:
– 300 meters continuously, using these styles in the following order:
-100 meters freestyle using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing thruster kick. Rhythmic breathing can be performed by breathing to the side or to the front. 100 meter chest style using a sequence of pull, breathe, kick and slide. The 100 yards can be a combination of freestyle and breaststroke. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using tracking or front breaststroke, dive to a depth of 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10 pound object, resurface, swim 20 meters back to where you started with the object, and exit from the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
If your swimming skills are not strong, but you can swim at least 50 meters and meet the brick test requirements, you may receive a shallow water lifeguard card. At any time in the future if your swimming skills rise to the level of deep water requirements, we will issue the professional lifeguard card that will allow you to protect in both deep and shallow water pools at no additional cost.
Upon successful completion of the Lifeguard course, each participant will receive a Lifeguard Certificate, CPR / AED for the professional resuscitator and first aid, all of which are valid for 2 years according to the new 2012 standards.
REQUIREMENTS FOR RECERTIFICATION OR RENEWEL
If you will go for a recertification or renewal process then you will have to pass the following tests
SWIMMING SKILLS
Starting in the water, you must be able to swim for 20 yards as using the front crawl or the breaststroke. You after this must complete a surface dive to “rescue” a 10- weight that is 7–10 ft below the surface. Once the weight is retrieved, you must be able to swim back to the point from where you started (a distance of 20 yards) and you need to get out of pool without the help of steps or a ladder.
RESCUE SKILLS
STANDARDIZED FIRST AID FOR HEAD, NECK OR BACK INJURIES
CPR / AED FOR PROFESSIONAL RESCUE SKILLS
FIRST AID SKILLS
FINAL SKILL SCENARIOS TO BE DEMONSTRATED
Keep in mind that there are several ways to care for a spinal injury in the water. In this scenario, the victim will be face down and the student will have to rotate the victim face up with their choice of any of the different methods for this purpose.
Your lifeguard certification is valid for two years.
Yes, you can still take the Lifeguard Recertification course even if your certification has expired. Simply email a copy of your expired certification to alalifeguard@aol.com after registration.
Yes, the Lifeguard Recertification course is conducted online, featuring video-led instructions and interactive modules. Upon completion, you will receive a certification valid for two years. The course follows a blended learning approach, allowing for both flexibility and practical application. While the online portion can be completed at your own pace, employers are required to assess your skills through in-service training to ensure continuous practice and improvement. The ALA’s program adheres to national standards set by the CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), which mandates pre-service and in-service training evaluations by employers in order for the certification to be valid.
Yes, candidates mu Be able to complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest: 1. Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.) 2. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs, no arms 3. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both • Brick Test – Complete in 1 minute, 40 seconds- Swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7ft, retrieve a 10-pound brick at the bottom of the pool, return to the surface, swim on the back holding a brick to starting position, and exit the water. (Swim goggles not allowed)
If you don’t pass the test, you can retake it at no additional cost. The ALA ensures you have the opportunity to refine your skills and succeed.
Yes, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor, as the federal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), has determined that the American Lifeguard Association meets the national standards for lifeguard training and certification. The American Lifeguard Association is among a select few national training entities recognized by the United States Government as meeting these federal requirements. Consequently, the American Lifeguard Association fulfills the national requirements for lifeguard training and certification in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Yes, the American Lifeguard Association is pleased to offer a limited-time $100 discount on the recertification course, made possible through a grant from the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation. This special offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is encouraged to take advantage of the reduced fee.
Continuous training is essential. Employers are required to provide pre-service evaluations and in-service training per the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) to help lifeguards maintain proficiency.
Registration is simple and convenient through our website. Once you’ve completed your payment, you’ll receive detailed instructions to begin your online training immediately. The American Lifeguard Association’s dedicated support team is available 24/7 to provide assistance and answer any questions throughout the process.
The American Lifeguard Association has been approved for the Capital One Affiliate Program! for Tuition Assistance Loan
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