Lifeguard Training

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American Red Cross Certification

Lifeguard Courses:

Lifeguarding Course Information

Successful completion results in a 2-year certification in Lifeguarding that includes first aid, professional-level CPR and AED in one certificate. Digital certificate available upon successful completion of course.

Prerequisites

• Must be at least 15 years old.
• Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:  

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

• Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)
• Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs
• Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both

Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed).  
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 – 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Course length:

Course will be a blended learning course. You will receive a link with an online portion of the course once you register. 

The in-person physical training will take 19-21 hours, the online portion of the course is anywhere from 7-9 hours of time.

Course(s) being offered: 

April 19, 20, 21 - 2024

*Registration opens Wednesday, March 20th, 2024*

May 17, 18, 19 - 2024

*Registration opens Wednesday, April 17th, 2024*

Both of the courses will follow the following schedule:

• Friday 5-9pm 
• Saturday 9am-5pm 
• Sunday 9am-5pm

Course Cost: 

• Non-Members/Community = $275
• WKU Preston Center Members = $250 

How to Register: 

Sign up in our app or register in person in the upstairs Campus Recreation and Wellness Office. For questions call: (270) 745-6060. 

 

Lifeguard Instructor Course:

Lifeguarding Instructor Course Information

Successful completion results in a 2-year certification as a certified Lifeguard Instructor. We will review how to maintain this certification during the course. 

Prerequisites

Instructor candidates must:

• Be at least 17 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course.
• Possess a current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep
  Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid.
• Obtain all required instructor and participant course materials before starting the course.
• Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course prior to the precourse
  session.
• Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario to continue in the course.

Failure to meet any of the prerequisites prohibits an instructor candidate from continuing in the
instructor course. The candidate must take the full Lifeguarding Instructor course at a later date after
they are able to meet all of the prerequisites.

Course length:

Course will be a blended learning course. You will receive a link with an online portion of the course once you register. 

The in-person physical training will take 19-21 hours.

Course(s) being offered: 

None at this time - Spring 2024 Course has already been conducted. 

Course Cost: 

• Non-Members/Community = $325
• WKU Preston Center Members = $300