Become a Certified Lifeguard in Sweden with ALA Training

If you visit beaches, lakes, rivers, or swimming pools in Sweden, you will notice lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. The lifeguard’s essential job is to help prevent accidents and respond quickly in emergencies, which requires specialized and professional training. Lifeguard training in Sweden serves this purpose: preparing individuals to protect swimmers at beaches, lakes, water parks, indoor pools, and outdoor swimming areas.

Sweden is blessed with more than 95,000 lakes, an extensive coastline along the Baltic Sea, and countless public swimming facilities. Swimming is highly popular across the country, especially during the warm summer months when beaches and lakes attract large crowds. This abundance of aquatic venues creates a strong and continuous demand for trained lifeguards.

Lifeguard Training in Sweden

Lifeguards serve at beaches, lakes, indoor swimming halls, aquatic centers, adventure waterparks, and coastal recreational areas throughout Sweden to protect swimmers. With so many aquatic locations, there are excellent opportunities for individuals who want to pursue lifeguarding as a rewarding and impactful role.

Lifeguard training in Sweden is the first step toward building a professional career in aquatics. Once certified by a respected organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates can seek employment at beaches, pools, spas, resorts, lakeside recreation areas, and municipal aquatic centers.

ALA training programs are internationally recognized, and with over 30 years of experience, ALA has trained thousands of lifeguards worldwide. Certification demonstrates professionalism and a strong commitment to safety qualities highly valued across Sweden’s aquatic facilities.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, nonprofit organizations dedicated to reducing drownings and improving aquatic safety globally.

ALA’s mission is to make swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer. To achieve this, ALA works directly with employers across North America and internationally, including countries like Sweden, where aquatic recreation is an important part of national culture.

ALA has been referenced by major public safety organizations, including:

Training is based on the latest ECC science and incorporates global aquatic safety guidelines. ALA also follows the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations for pre-service evaluations and in-service practice.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Sweden

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training course in Sweden, candidates must meet these basic age requirements:

  • 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, indoor facility, or lake
  • 16 years or older to work at a beach or open-water location

Candidates must also demonstrate the following ALA prerequisite swimming skills:

Swimming Requirements

  • Swim 300 yards continuously, including:

    • 100 yards front crawl with rhythmic breathing
    • 100 yards breaststroke
    • 100 yards front crawl, breaststroke, or a mix of both

Timed Event

  • Start in the water and swim 20 yards
  • Surface dive 7–10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object
  • Swim 20 yards back, holding the object with both hands
  • Exit the water without a ladder
  • Complete everything within 1 minute and 40 seconds

After completion, participants receive certifications in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid, valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Sweden: Long-Term Career Options

Lifeguarding in Sweden is not only a seasonal job, it can grow into a long-term, meaningful profession. Year-round employment is available at indoor swimming halls, sports centers, spas, and aquatic fitness facilities.

With further training, lifeguards can advance into professional roles such as:

  • Water Safety Instructor
  • Swim Coach
  • Aquatic Supervisor or Manager
  • Safety Coordinator at resorts or municipal pools

These roles offer higher salaries, leadership opportunities, and a meaningful contribution to community safety.

Lifeguard training in Sweden

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Sweden

During the ALA lifeguard training program, participants learn a full set of rescue, CPR/AED, and First Aid skills.

Rescue Skills

  • Slide-In Entry
  • Stride Jump & Compact Jump
  • Rescue Approach
  • Simple Assist
  • Extension Assist
  • Reaching & Throwing Assists
  • Swimming Extension Rescue
  • Active & Passive Drowning Victim Rescues
  • Two-Person Backboard Removal
  • Submerged Victim Recovery
  • Multiple-Victim Rescue
  • Feet-First Surface Dive
  • Head-Hold Escapes
  • Managing Head, Neck & Back Injuries
  • In-Line Stabilization (land & water)
  • Backboard Use in Shallow & Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

  • Removing gloves & assessment
  • Rescue breathing (adult, child, infant)
  • Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) usage
  • Choking response
  • One- & two-rescuer CPR
  • AED use for all ages

First Aid Skills

  • Secondary assessment
  • Bleeding control
  • Splinting & bandaging
  • Treating fractures, sprains, and shock
  • Managing hypothermia and cold-water exposure (important in Sweden!)

These skills prepare lifeguards for real-life emergencies in Sweden’s lakes, beaches, pools, and cold-water environments.

Would you like to read about: Lifeguard Training in Finland

Famous Swedish Beaches Where Lifeguards Are Essential

Långholmsbadet (Stockholm)

A popular inner-city beach with seasonal lifeguards.

Ribersborgsstranden (Malmö)

A long sandy beach near the city center, heavily visited in summer.

Tylösand Beach (Halmstad)

One of Sweden’s most famous beaches with professional lifeguard services.

Pite Havsbad (Norrbotten)

Known as the “Nordic Riviera,” it has large crowds and family activities.

Skanör-Falsterbo Beaches (Skåne)

Popular warm-water beaches require safety monitoring during peak seasons.

Saltholmen (Gothenburg)

A major swimming area with rocky shores and diving spots.

The Final Wave

The primary role of lifeguard training is to prepare individuals to protect swimmers and respond effectively during emergencies. Lifeguards in Sweden monitor aquatic environments, patrol swimming zones, and use equipment to ensure water safety.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized globally as a leader in aquatic safety training. With more than 30 years of experience, ALA provides high-quality training that meets professional, safety, and international standards.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Lifeguard Training program you can find more on our FAQ page if you don’t feel free to send us your questions on our contact us page

At beaches, lakeside resorts, indoor swimming halls, sports centers, and waterparks.

Yes, ALA certification is accepted by aquatic employers worldwide.

Absolutely—lifeguards can advance into roles such as Water Safety Instructor or Aquatic Facility Manager.

By contacting the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) for course dates and registration details.

Because Sweden’s lakes, beaches, and indoor pools require trained professionals to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) provides globally accepted training programs.

You must be 15 for pools and 16 for beaches or open lakes.

Trainees must swim 300 yards and complete a timed deep-water retrieval test.

Need help paying for courses?

The American Lifeguard Association has been approved for the Capital One Affiliate Program! for Tuition Assistance Loan

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