Become a Certified Lifeguard in Lehigh County, PA with ALA

If you visit beaches, lakes, waterparks, or swimming pools in the United States, you will notice lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. A lifeguard’s job is to help prevent accidents and respond quickly in emergencies, which is why professional training is essential. Lifeguard training in Lehigh County, PA serves this purpose, preparing individuals to protect swimmers at pools, waterfronts, and aquatic facilities.

The United States is home to countless public pools, indoor aquatic centers, recreation facilities, and seasonal waterfront destinations. This wide access to swimming and water recreation creates strong demand for trained lifeguards, especially during summer when aquatic activity increases. In Lehigh County, PA, lifeguards are needed at community pools, fitness centers, swim clubs, and seasonal aquatic facilities to help maintain a safe environment for all swimmers.

Lifeguard Training in Lehigh County, PA

Lifeguards serve at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools to protect swimmers and respond to emergencies. With many aquatic venues across Pennsylvania, there are solid opportunities for individuals who want to enter the aquatics field.

Lifeguard training in Lehigh County, PA, is the first step toward building a role in aquatics. Once certified by a trusted organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates become well-positioned to seek employment at pools, aquatic centers, and waterfront facilities.

ALA training programs are popular during the summer season, but opportunities can continue year-round due to indoor pools and recreation centers that operate throughout the year. With over 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards who serve communities worldwide, and ALA certification helps demonstrate professionalism, preparedness, and commitment to public safety.

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 swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer. The organization works directly with employers nationwide to train lifeguards and promote strong safety 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 ensured that its programs meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

Training reflects ECC science and incorporates findings from lifeguard training standards coalitions. ALA programs also encourage employers to follow the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations for pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Lehigh County, PA

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training course, candidates must meet the minimum age requirements generally recognized nationwide:

• 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 complete the program successfully:

Swim 300 yards continuously, using the following strokes:

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

Complete a timed event:

• Start in the water, 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

• All within 1 minute and 40 seconds

Upon successful completion, each participant receives 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 Lehigh County, PA: Long-Term Career Options

Many people view lifeguarding as a seasonal summer job, but it can also grow into a long-term career path. Year-round work may be available at indoor pools, fitness clubs, and aquatic centers. With additional training, lifeguards can pursue advanced roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These roles can offer higher pay, leadership opportunities, and a long-term career dedicated to public safety and community wellness.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Lehigh County, PA

During the ALA lifeguard training course, participants learn a comprehensive set of skills across 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 with a Backboard

• Passive Submerged Victim in Shallow Water

• Multiple-Victim Rescue

• Feet-First Surface Dive

• Submerged Victim Recovery in Deep Water

• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escapes

• 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 Skills

• Removing Gloves and Performing an Initial Assessment

• Rescue Breathing (adult, child, infant)

• Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator (two rescuers)

• Conscious and Unconscious Choking (adult, child, infant)

• CPR (one-rescuer and two-rescuer for adult, child, infant)

• AED Use (adult and child)

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment

• Controlling External Bleeding

• Applying Slings, Binders, Anatomic, and Soft Splints

Final Skill Scenarios

• Active Drowning Victim

• Submerged Passive Drowning Victim

• Head, Neck, or Back Injury

The Final Wave

The primary role of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to keep swimmers safe. Lifeguards often monitor their area from a raised chair, patrol open water zones, and use rescue equipment (and sometimes binoculars) to maintain a clear view of their assigned area.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized as one of the leading aquatic health and safety training providers. With more than 30 years of experience, ALA delivers training guided by a strict code of ethics and a commitment to quality.

For lifeguard training in Lehigh County, PA, if you are searching for “lifeguard training near me,” the American Lifeguard Association is the right choice. For more information on ALA lifeguard training and certification programs, please contact us.