Lifeguard Course in Orange County

If you visit beaches, swimming pools, or waterparks in Orange County, you will often see lifeguards on duty to protect swimmers and respond quickly in emergencies. A lifeguard’s role is to help prevent accidents and take action when every second matters which is why specialized training is essential. Lifeguard training in Orange County prepares candidates to safeguard swimmers at beaches, lakes, waterparks, and swimming pools.

Orange County offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water, from coastal areas to community pools and recreation facilities. With so many people swimming year-round and activity increasing during warmer months, the demand for trained, certified lifeguards remains strong. Earning a recognized credential can open doors to meaningful work in aquatic safety and public service.

Lifeguards Course in Orange County

Lifeguards serve at beaches, waterparks, lakes, and swimming pools across Orange County to help keep swimmers safe. With so many aquatic venues and community facilities, there are solid opportunities for anyone who wants to pursue lifeguarding as a responsible and rewarding role.

Lifeguard training in Orange County is the first step toward building a future in aquatics. Once certified through a respected organization such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), candidates can confidently apply for lifeguard positions and demonstrate readiness to employers.

ALA training supports both seasonal and year-round pathways. Many facilities operate across multiple seasons, and with the right certification and commitment, lifeguarding can become more than just a temporary job.

With more than 30 years of experience, ALA has helped train lifeguards who serve communities worldwide. Completing an ALA program signals professionalism, safety awareness, and the ability to respond under pressure.

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 committed to reducing drownings and improving aquatic safety.

ALA’s mission is to help make swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer. To support this mission in Orange County, ALA works with employers and aquatic facilities to help train lifeguard professionals and promote strong, consistent safety practices.

• 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 also reflects current ECC science and incorporates findings from recognized lifeguard training standards research in the United States. In addition, ALA encourages employers in Orange County to follow Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) recommendations, including pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training for staff members.

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Orange County

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

• 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:

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, valid for two years.

Lifeguarding in Orange County: Long-Term Career Options

Many people see lifeguarding as a seasonal opportunity, but it can also grow into a long-term profession especially with year-round facilities and consistent demand for safety staff.

With additional training and experience, a lifeguard in Orange County may advance into roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These roles often come with higher pay, leadership responsibilities, and stronger career stability in the aquatics industry.

Learning Skills with Lifeguard Training in Orange 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 and respond confidently in emergencies. Lifeguards often monitor their area from a raised chair, patrol open water zones, and use rescue equipment when needed. Strong scanning, fast decision-making, and professional teamwork are essential parts of the job.

The American Lifeguard Association is considered 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.

If you are searching for “lifeguard training near me” in Orange County, ALA can help you take the next step toward certification. For more information on ALA lifeguard training and certification programs, please contact us.