Lifeguard Training in Iceland: Get Certified with ALA

If you often visit beaches, lakes, or swimming pools in Iceland, you’ll notice lifeguards on duty ensuring the safety of everyone in the water. Their primary responsibility is to prevent accidents and respond effectively in emergencies, which requires specialized training. Lifeguard training in Iceland fulfills this need by preparing individuals to protect swimmers in aquatic environments such as beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools.

Iceland is a nation surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and known for its stunning natural water landscapes from geothermal pools and hot springs to coastal beaches and lakes. Swimming is a popular activity among locals and tourists alike, whether it’s relaxing in a geothermal lagoon or taking a dip in a heated outdoor pool. With so many aquatic locations across the country, there is a consistent need for trained lifeguards to ensure public safety. As Iceland continues to attract visitors year-round, especially during the warmer months, the demand for skilled lifeguards remains high.

Lifeguard Training in Iceland

Lifeguards work across Iceland’s aquatic facilities from geothermal pools and lakes to beaches and waterparks ensuring the safety of swimmers and visitors. With so many natural and man-made aquatic attractions, there are plenty of opportunities for those interested in pursuing a rewarding and responsible role as a lifeguard.

Lifeguard training in Iceland is the first step toward entering this vital profession. Once certified through a recognized organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), individuals are qualified to seek employment in a range of aquatic environments, from local pools to coastal beaches.

ALA training centers in Iceland offer several types of lifeguard certification courses. While training is most popular during the summer, there are year-round opportunities due to Iceland’s abundance of indoor pools and geothermal bathing sites.

With over 30 years of experience, the ALA has trained lifeguards who now serve communities worldwide. Earning certification from ALA demonstrates both skill and commitment, making candidates more competitive in the field.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, both nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)) dedicated to reducing drownings and enhancing aquatic safety.

The ALA’s mission is to make beaches, pools, and waterways safer for everyone. To achieve this, ALA partners with employers across the world to train professional lifeguards and maintain high safety standards.

Over the years, ALA has been recognized by major organizations, including:

• CDC Healthy Swimming

• U.S. Department of Labor

• U.S. General Service Administration (GSA)

Since the early 1990s, ALA’s training programs have met Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. The curriculum incorporates the latest Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) research and findings from the Iceland Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition Report. ALA also ensures that employers follow the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) by conducting pre-service and in-service staff evaluations.

Would you like to read about: Lifeguard training in Denmark

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Iceland

To enroll in the ALA’s lifeguard training course in Iceland, candidates must meet the minimum age and swimming requirements.

Age Requirements:

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

• 16 years or older to work at beaches or open-water facilities

Swimming and Skill Requirements:
Candidates must demonstrate the following abilities to complete the lifeguarding course successfully:

• Swim 300 yards continuously, including:

  • 100 yards of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a propellant kick

  • 100 yards of breaststroke using a pull-breath-kick-glide pattern

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

• 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, swim 20 yards back to the starting point, and exit the water without using steps or a ladder all within 1 minute and 40 seconds

Upon successful completion, participants receive an American Lifeguard Certificate in:

• Lifeguarding

• CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

• First Aid

Each certification is valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Iceland: Long-Term Career Opportunities

While lifeguarding is often viewed as a seasonal job for students, it can become a stable, long-term career. Iceland’s indoor pools and wellness centers operate year-round, offering continuous employment opportunities.

With additional training, lifeguards can advance to higher-level positions such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swimming Coach

• Aquatic Facility Supervisor or Manager

These roles not only offer greater responsibility and higher pay but also allow professionals to make lasting contributions to public safety and community health.

Skills Learned Through Lifeguard Training in Iceland

Participants in ALA’s lifeguard training courses gain a wide range of essential skills, including rescue techniques, CPR/AED proficiency, and First Aid competence.

Rescue Skills

• Slide-In Entry

• Stride and Compact Jumps

• Rescue Approaches (front crawl or breaststroke)

• Simple and Extension Assists

• Reaching and Throwing Assists

• Swimming Extension Rescue

• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rescues

• Two-Person Backboard Removal

• Submerged Victim Recovery (shallow and deep water)

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escapes

Head, Neck, and Back Injury Care

• Manual In-Line Stabilization (on land or in water)

• Backboard Techniques for Standing or Submerged Victims

• Head Splint and Chin Support Techniques (face-up and face-down in shallow or deep water)

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

• Removing Gloves and Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (adult, child, and infant)

• Bag-Valve-Mask Use (two rescuers)

• Conscious and Unconscious Choking Procedures

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

• AED Use for Adults and Children

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment

• Controlling External Bleeding

• Applying Slings, Binders, and Splints (anatomic and soft)

Final Skill Scenarios

1. Active Drowning Victim

2. Submerged Passive Drowning Victim

3. Head, Neck, or Back Injury

Famous Beaches in Iceland Where Lifeguards Are Essential

Although Iceland is better known for its geothermal waters than tropical beaches, several coastal and lakefront areas attract swimmers and tourists where lifeguards play an important role.

• Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach (Reykjavík): A man-made beach with warm waters heated by geothermal energy. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months.

• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (Vík í Mýrdal): Known for its stunning basalt columns and dramatic waves. While lifeguards are not always present, safety awareness is critical here.

• Ylströndin (Akureyri): A sandy beach in North Iceland featuring heated seawater and seasonal lifeguard services.

• Njarðvík Beach (Keflavík): Popular among locals for seaside walks and swimming, occasionally monitored by safety personnel in warmer seasons.

• Kvika Geothermal Footbath Beach (Reykjavík): A scenic relaxation spot with geothermal water pools; lifeguard supervision varies seasonally.

• Nesgjá and Silfra (Þingvellir National Park): Crystal-clear diving and snorkeling sites where trained aquatic safety personnel often monitor activities.

The Final Wave

The purpose of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to ensure the safety of swimmers and prevent emergencies. Lifeguards maintain vigilance from elevated stations or patrol open waters, using binoculars and rescue equipment to oversee their designated areas.

The American Lifeguard Association is regarded as one of the leading aquatic safety and health training providers in Iceland and worldwide. With over three decades of experience, ALA remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of aquatic safety education.

For those seeking lifeguard training in Iceland, if you are searching for “lifeguard training near me,” the American Lifeguard Association is your trusted choice.
For more information about lifeguard certification programs and training opportunities, please contact the ALA today.