Lifeguard training and certification in Broward County

If you visit beaches, swimming pools, or waterparks in Broward County, you’ll almost always see trained lifeguards on duty to keep swimmers safe. A lifeguard’s key role is to prevent accidents and respond quickly during emergencies skills that require specialized instruction. Lifeguard training in Broward County prepares candidates to protect swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools while building real-world rescue readiness.

Broward County is home to a strong aquatic culture, with busy waterfront areas, public pools, recreation facilities, and seasonal attractions that increase water activity throughout the year. This creates consistent demand for qualified lifeguards especially during peak seasons when swimming traffic rises and safety coverage becomes essential.

Lifeguards in Broward County

Lifeguards work across Broward County at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and pools to monitor swimmers, enforce safety rules, and respond to incidents before they become serious. With so many aquatic venues and community facilities, lifeguarding can be both a rewarding job and a pathway into long-term opportunities in aquatics.

Lifeguard training in Broward County is the first step toward a professional role in water safety. Once certified by a reputable organization like the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates can pursue lifeguard employment at pools, aquatic centers, and waterfront facilities across the county.

ALA programs are designed to help participants build confidence, professionalism, and the practical rescue skills needed to work in real environments. With over 30 years of training experience, ALA has helped develop lifeguards serving communities worldwide.

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 improving aquatic safety and helping reduce drowning incidents.

ALA’s mission is to make swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer by training lifeguards and supporting strong workplace safety practices. ALA works directly with employers to help develop lifeguard professionals and encourage consistent training standards.

ALA has been referenced by 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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for employee safety. ALA training reflects current emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) science and incorporates findings from lifeguard training standards guidance. Programs also encourage strong workplace safety practices, including pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Broward County

To enroll in ALA lifeguard training in Broward County, candidates must meet standard minimum age requirements commonly used for aquatic employment:

• 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

Candidates must also demonstrate the following prerequisite skills to successfully complete the course:

Swim Requirement (300 yards total)

Swim 300 yards continuously, using these strokes:

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

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

• 100 yards of front crawl or breaststroke (or a combination of both)

Timed Skills Test

Complete a timed event:

• Start in the water and swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke

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

• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object

• Exit the water without using steps or a ladder

• Complete all within 1 minute and 40 seconds

Upon successful completion, each participant receives an American Lifeguard Certification indicating Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid, valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Broward County: Long-Term Career Options

Many people begin lifeguarding as a seasonal job, but in Broward County, it can grow into a long-term career especially with year-round aquatic facilities and continued training opportunities.

With additional training and experience, lifeguards can advance into higher-responsibility roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These roles often provide stronger career stability, leadership opportunities, and higher earning potential while staying rooted in public safety and community wellness.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Broward County

During the ALA lifeguard training course in Broward County, participants learn professional-level skills in rescue response, CPR/AED, and First Aid. Training is structured to ensure candidates can recognize risks early, act quickly, and coordinate care confidently.

Rescue Skills

Participants train in practical rescue techniques, including:

• 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 Rescues (rear rescue techniques)

• Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard

• Passive Submerged Victim (shallow water)

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Submerged Victim Recovery (deep water)

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escapes

• Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injuries

• Manual In-Line Stabilization on land (lying down, sitting, standing)

• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land

• Head Splint Techniques (face-up and face-down, shallow water and deep water)

• Head and Chin Support (face-up and face-down, shallow and deep water)

• In-Line Stabilization for Submerged Victims

• Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

Participants learn professional resuscitation skills, including:

• Removing Gloves

• Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (adult, child, infant)

• Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitation (two rescuers)

• Conscious Choking (adult, child, infant)

• Unconscious Choking (adult, child, infant)

• CPR (adult, child, infant)

• Two-Rescuer CPR (adult, child, infant)

• AED Use (adult and child)

First Aid Skills

First aid training includes:

• Secondary Assessment

• Controlling External Bleeding

• Applying a Sling and Binder

• Applying an Anatomic Splint

• Applying a Soft Splint

Final Skill Scenarios

To complete the course, participants demonstrate real-life response 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 Final Wave

The purpose of lifeguard training is to prepare professionals to keep swimmers safe through prevention, scanning, and rapid response. In Broward County, lifeguards often monitor busy aquatic areas from an elevated chair, patrol open water zones, and use rescue equipment as needed. Strong observation skills and consistent training are essential for preventing emergencies and protecting lives.

With more than 30 years of experience, the American Lifeguard Association delivers training guided by professionalism, ethics, and a commitment to safety.

If you are searching online for “lifeguard training near me”, ALA is a reliable choice for lifeguard training in Broward County. For more information on training and certification programs, please contact us.