Become a Certified Lifeguard in Clarke County with ALA

If you visit beaches, swimming pools, or aquatic facilities in Clarke County, you will notice lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. A lifeguard’s essential job is to help prevent accidents and respond quickly in emergencies, which requires specialized training. Lifeguard training in Clarke County serves this purpose—preparing individuals to protect swimmers at pools, waterparks, lakes, and waterfront swim areas.

Swimming is one of the most popular recreational activities in the United States, and communities rely on qualified lifeguards to keep aquatic spaces safe. With seasonal swimming programs, public and private facilities, and a variety of water-based activities, Clarke County benefits from trained lifeguards who can maintain strong supervision and respond effectively when incidents occur. Demand is often highest during warmer months when swim activity increases and facilities expand hours and staffing.

Lifeguards in Clarke County

Lifeguards serve at swimming pools, waterparks, lakes, and supervised aquatic environments throughout Clarke County to protect swimmers. With many opportunities for aquatic recreation, lifeguarding can be a rewarding role for individuals who want to work in an active setting while contributing to public safety.

Lifeguard training in Clarke County is the first step toward building a path in aquatics. Once certified by a respected organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates become well-positioned to pursue employment at aquatic facilities and demonstrate readiness to serve in professional environments.

ALA training centers support multiple lifeguard training programs and certifications. While interest often peaks in the summer season, training and employment opportunities may continue throughout the year as indoor aquatic facilities and ongoing programs create a need for qualified staff in Clarke County.

With more than 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards who serve communities worldwide. Certification through ALA demonstrates a commitment to safety, professionalism, and the core skills employers look for when hiring lifeguards in Clarke County.

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. To achieve this, ALA works directly with employers and aquatic facilities to train lifeguards and strengthen safety practices in Clarke County.

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. Training reflects recognized emergency care science (ECC) and lifeguarding best practices. In addition, ALA emphasizes employer readiness, including pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training aligned with Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations—supporting safer aquatic operations in Clarke County.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Clarke County

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training course in Clarke County, candidates must meet minimum age requirements generally recognized 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 ALA prerequisite skills to complete the program:

Swim Requirement

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)

Timed Skill Event

Complete the following sequence within 1 minute and 40 seconds:

• 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

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

Lifeguarding in Clarke County: Long-Term Career Options

Although many view lifeguarding as a seasonal job, it can grow into a long-term profession in Clarke County. Year-round employment may be available at indoor pools and aquatic facilities, and lifeguards can pursue additional training to advance into roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These roles may offer higher pay potential, leadership opportunities, and a meaningful career focused on public health and safety in Clarke County.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Clarke County

During the ALA lifeguard training course, participants develop 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 through strong surveillance, professional rescue response, and effective emergency care. Lifeguards often monitor their assigned area from a raised chair to improve visibility, patrol larger zones when needed, and use standard rescue equipment during incidents.

The American Lifeguard Association is recognized as a leading aquatic health and safety training provider with more than 30 years of experience. ALA delivers training guided by a strict code of ethics and a commitment to quality instruction.

For lifeguard training in Clarke County, 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.