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Lifeguard Certification
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A LIFEGUARD?
If so, there’s never been a better time to take one of our lifeguarding certification classes offered at the YMCA. Becoming a lifeguard can not only open the door to new job opportunities, but it provides essential safety education that’s focused on preventing accidents in and around the water—and that’s good for everyone. YMCA and American Red Cross courses are designed to provide the participants with the knowledge and skills needed to be a lifeguard.
This course provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.
American Red Cross class
Welcome to American Red Cross Lifeguarding! This is a blended learning class with 7 hours of e-learning required before the in person skills. Registered participants will receive an email with a link to the e-learning at least 10 days before the class begins. Please reach out to Aquatics Director, Jackie Barratt (360)918-0333 with any questions.
In person skills sessions will be held at the Briggs Community YMCA in Olympia on the following days and times:
- Sunday, March 15th from 3-5pm (prerequisite swimming skills, listed below)
- Tuesday, March 17th from 6-8pm (active and passing drowning rescues)
- Thursday, March 19th from 6-8pm (passive extrication, spinal rescues)
- Friday, March 20th from 6-8pm (practice all in-water skills)
- Saturday, March 21st from 12:30-3:30pm (CPR/AED)
- Sunday, March 22nd from 3-5pm (Final testing and certification)
Prerequisite Swim Test:
150 yards of continuous swimming using front crawl or breaststroke, (goggles may be used), followed by 2 minutes of treading water without using the hands, and then an additional 50 yards of swimming.
Retrieve a 10 pound diving brick from 9 foot deep water and kick with it 20 yards back to the shallow end, using only the legs. No goggles may be used.
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Facility Member | Program Member | Community Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/1/25 | 7/31/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 200.00 | $ 275.00 | - |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
03/15/26 - 03/22/26
|
10 / 10 Available |
Register Closes 02/28/2026 |
|
|
04/19/26 - 04/26/26
|
10 / 10 Available |
Registration will open on 03/01/2026 |