Lifeguard Class and training in Houston County

If you regularly visit beaches or swimming pools, you have likely noticed lifeguards on duty ensuring everyone’s safety. A lifeguard’s primary responsibility is to prevent accidents and respond effectively during emergencies, which makes professional training essential. Lifeguard class in Houston County is designed to prepare individuals to protect swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools throughout the county.

Houston County offers plenty of places where people enjoy swimming—whether that’s at community pools, fitness and recreation centers, waterparks, or nearby lakes. With so many opportunities to get in the water, safety becomes a priority, and that’s where trained lifeguards are essential. Lifeguards help prevent accidents and respond quickly to emergencies, making them a key part of keeping swimmers protected across Houston County. Demand for lifeguards is especially strong during the summer months, when swimming activity increases and more aquatic facilities operate at full capacity.

Lifeguard Class in Houston County

Lifeguards work at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and swimming pools to safeguard swimmers and maintain a safe aquatic environment. With several recreational water facilities across Houston County, the need for qualified lifeguards remains consistent throughout the year.

Enrolling in a Lifeguard class in Houston County is the first step toward building a rewarding career in the aquatic industry. After earning certification from a reputable organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates become eligible for employment at a wide range of aquatic facilities.

ALA training centers provide multiple lifeguard classes and certification options. While enrollment is highest during the summer months, lifeguard classes in Houston County remain valuable year-round due to indoor pools and ongoing aquatic programs.

With over 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards who serve communities across the globe. Certification through ALA is widely respected and helps candidates stand out to employers seeking skilled and reliable lifeguard professionals.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, both of which are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving aquatic safety and reducing drowning incidents.

ALA’s mission is to make beaches, swimming pools, and waterways safer by providing high-quality training and certification programs. The organization works directly with employers nationwide to help develop well-trained lifeguard professionals.

Over the years, the American Lifeguard Association has been recognized by several public health and safety organizations, including:

• The CDC Healthy Swimming

• The U.S. Department of Labor

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

Since the early 1990s, ALA programs have aligned with Occupational Safety and Health Administration  (OSHA) requirements. Training also reflects the latest ECC science and findings from the United States Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition Report. In addition, ALA requires employers to comply with Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) standards for pre-service evaluations and in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Class in Houston County

To enroll in an American Lifeguard Association lifeguard class in Houston County, candidates must meet the minimum age requirements set by U.S. labor laws:

• 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, waterpark, or lake

• 16 years or older to work at beaches or waterfront facilities

Candidates must also successfully demonstrate the following prerequisite skills:

Swim Test

Swim 300 yards continuously, using the following strokes:

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

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

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

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 while holding the object

• Exit the water without using steps or a ladder

• Complete the entire sequence within 1 minute and 40 seconds

Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive an American Lifeguard Certificate in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid. The certification is valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Houston County: Long-Term Career Opportunities

Lifeguarding is often viewed as a seasonal or student job, but it can develop into a long-term profession. Many facilities in Houston County operate year-round, offering stable employment opportunities for certified lifeguards.

With additional training, lifeguards can advance into higher-paying roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor

• Aquatic Facility Manager

These career paths provide leadership opportunities and long-term growth within the aquatic industry.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Class in Houston County

Participants in the American Lifeguard Association lifeguard class gain comprehensive hands-on training in rescue techniques, CPR/AED, and First Aid.

Rescue Skills

• Slide-In Entry

• Stride and Compact Jumps

• Rescue Approach (Front Crawl or Breaststroke)

• Simple Assist

• Extension Assist from the Deck

• Reaching and Throwing Assists

• Swimming Extension Rescue

• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rescues

• Two-Person Removal Using a Backboard

• Passive Submerged Victim Rescue (Shallow Water)

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Submerged Victim Rescue (Deep Water)

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escapes

Head, Neck, and Spine Injury Care

• Manual In-Line Stabilization on Land

• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim

• Head Splint Techniques (Face-Up and Face-Down, Shallow and Deep Water)

• Head and Chin Support Techniques

• In-Line Stabilization for Submerged Victims

• Backboard Use in Shallow and Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

• Initial Assessment and Glove Removal

• Rescue Breathing (Adult, Child, Infant)

• Bag-Valve-Mask Use (Two Rescuers)

• Conscious and Unconscious Choking Care

• CPR (One-Rescuer and Two-Rescuer)

• AED Use for Adults and Children

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment

• Controlling External Bleeding

• Applying Slings, Binders, Anatomic Splints, and Soft Splints

Final Skill Scenarios

• Active Drowning Victim

• Submerged Passive Drowning Victim

• Head, Neck, or Back Injury Scenario

The Final Wave

The primary goal of a lifeguard class is to prepare individuals to keep swimmers safe at all times. Lifeguards may monitor their assigned area from an elevated chair, patrol open water zones, or use rescue equipment such as binoculars and rescue tubes.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized as one of the leading aquatic safety training providers in the United States. With more than three decades of experience, ALA delivers training guided by strong ethical standards and a commitment to excellence.

If you are searching for Lifeguard class in Houston County or typing “lifeguard class near me,” the American Lifeguard Association is the right choice. For more information about ALA lifeguard classes and certification programs, please contact us.