Lifeguard Certification in Djibouti: Courses by the ALA

If you visit beaches or swimming pools in Djibouti, you’ll notice lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. A lifeguard’s essential responsibility is to help prevent accidents and respond quickly in emergencies skills that require proper training. Lifeguard training in Djibouti prepares individuals to protect swimmers at beaches, lakes, water parks, and swimming pools.

Djibouti’s location along the Horn of Africa gives it a rich coastline along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, making swimming and water activities a standard part of leisure and tourism. With beaches, hotels, and aquatic facilities welcoming both locals and visitors, the demand for trained lifeguards continues to grow, especially during peak seasons.

Lifeguard training in Djibouti

Lifeguards serve at beaches, swimming pools, hotels, resorts, and waterparks to ensure swimmer safety. As Djibouti continues to expand its recreational and tourist facilities, opportunities for certified lifeguards are increasing.

Lifeguard training in Djibouti is the first step toward building a rewarding role in aquatic safety. Once certified by the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates are well-prepared to seek employment in coastal resorts, community pools, and aquatic centers.

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.

ALA’s mission is to make beaches, swimming pools, and waterways safer. To achieve this, ALA works directly with employers worldwide to train lifeguards and establish strong safety standards.

ALA has been recognized by health and safety organizations such as:

• The CDC Healthy Swimming Program

• The U.S. Department of Labor

• The U.S. General Service Administration (GSA)

Since the early 1990s, ALA has ensured that all training programs meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. Courses also reflect the latest ECC science and follow recommendations from the United States Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition Report. Additionally, ALA requires employers to implement the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) for pre-service evaluations and ongoing staff training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Djibouti

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

• Age:

  • 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

• Swimming prerequisites:

  • Swim 300 yards continuously:

    • 100 yards front crawl with rhythmic breathing

    • 100 yards breaststroke using pull, breath, kick, glide sequence

    • 100 yards front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both

  • Complete a timed event (1 minute 40 seconds):

    • Start in the water, swim 20 yards

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

    • Return 20 yards carrying the object

    • Exit the water without steps or a ladder

Upon completion, participants earn an American Lifeguard Certificate in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid, all of which are valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Djibouti: Long-Term Career Options

Although lifeguarding is often considered a summer or seasonal job, it can also become a long-term profession. Year-round employment is available at resorts, aquatic centers, and indoor pools. With additional training, lifeguards can advance into higher roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These positions offer competitive pay, leadership opportunities, and a career path focused on public safety and recreation.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Djibouti

The ALA lifeguard training course equips participants with a comprehensive set of skills in three main areas:

Rescue Skills

• Slide-in entry, stride, and compact jumps

• Rescue approaches (front crawl or breaststroke)

• Reaching and throwing assists

• Active and passive drowning rescues

• Multiple-victim rescues

• Use of backboards in shallow and deep water

• Head-hold escapes and in-line stabilization techniques

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

• Initial assessments and glove removal

• Rescue breathing (adult, child, infant)

• Bag-valve-mask use (two rescuers)

• Conscious and unconscious choking responses

• CPR (one-rescuer and two-rescuer for all age groups)

• AED use (adult and child)

First Aid Skills

• Secondary assessment

• Controlling external bleeding

• Applying splints, slings, and binders

• Emergency response scenarios for drowning victims and spinal injuries

Would you like to read about: Lifeguard training in Eritrea

Notable Beaches and Aquatic Venues in Djibouti

• Heron Beach – Popular city beach near Djibouti City, ideal for families.

• Khor Ambado Beach – Known for snorkeling and tourist visits, it requires lifeguard coverage during busy seasons.

• Tadjoura Beaches – Scenic coastal areas frequented by both locals and tourists.

• Lake Assal – While primarily known for its salt flats, nearby recreational zones attract visitors.

• Hotel & Resort Pools – Many hospitality facilities employ lifeguards year-round.

The Final Wave

The primary goal of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to keep swimmers safe. Lifeguards in Djibouti may monitor from elevated chairs, patrol coastal waters, or use rescue equipment such as binoculars, flotation devices, and backboards.

With over 30 years of experience, the American Lifeguard Association is recognized as one of the leading providers of aquatic safety training worldwide.