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 with any questions ([email protected]).
In person skills sessions will be held at the Briggs Community YMCA in Olympia on the following days and times:
- Sunday, May 3rd from 3-5pm (prerequisite swimming skills, listed below)
- Tuesday, May 5th from 6-8pm (active and passing drowning rescues)
- Thursday, May 7th from 6-8pm (passive extrication, spinal rescues)
- Friday, May 8th from 6-8pm (practice all in-water skills)
- Saturday, May 9th from 12:30-3:30pm (CPR/AED)
- Sunday, May 10th 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 | - |