Lifeguarding

Lifeguard Certificate

American Red Cross Training Academy

Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED – BL Certification

Participants must be 15 by the last day of the lifeguarding course. Upon successful completion, participants become certified in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, valid for 2 years.

Physical prerequisite (first day of class)

Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:
- Jump into the water and fully submerge, resurface, then swim 150 yards using freestyle, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Goggles are allowed. Rotary breathing must be shown.
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
- Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
Retrieve a 10 lb. brick from 8 to 10 feet of water. This is a timed event, and goggles are not permitted for this portion.

Before you register

Participants receive a manual and pocket mask on the first day of class.
The online prerequisite link is automatically included in your payment confirmation email. We recommend completing it at least one week before your course.
Membership is not required. When registering, non-members should select the guest-Jpath option.

Course days and times

Friday: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm

Course dates and registration

Lifeguard Recertification

Lifeguard Recertification – BL Certification

The Lifeguarding Review Course lets currently certified lifeguards review and refresh their knowledge and skills in a classroom setting, in about half the time of a full lifeguarding course. Participants who successfully complete it earn new American Red Cross certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

Requirements

Pass a prerequisite skills evaluation.
Hold a current Lifeguarding/CPR/AED/First Aid certification, or one that expired no more than 30 days before the course date.
Complete the required 7-hour online course before the in-person session. The link to the online coursework is provided once registration is complete.
Bring both an adult and a child pocket mask to the course.

Course expectations

Participants must arrive prepared to perform all required skills to American Red Cross standards. Use the online course to review and refresh your knowledge and skills before the in-person session.

The recertification day is long, fast-paced, and tightly scheduled, so there is very limited time for skill remediation. This course does not reteach foundational skills. It is the participant’s responsibility to review all required materials and practice as needed beforehand. If a participant cannot demonstrate proficiency in the required skills, the instructor reserves the right to fail the participant in accordance with American Red Cross standards.

Course day and time

1 day, 7:30 am – 6:30 pm

Course dates and registration

Prerequisite Screening Course

Not sure you’re ready for the physical prerequisite for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course? This optional 30-minute screening lets you try the required skills before you register for the full course. An instructor reviews the skills and has you perform them, and may offer basic tips on technique, pacing, breathing, body position, or other approaches to help you prepare for the official prerequisite.

The screening shows you what to expect and whether you may need more practice. It is a screening only, not a full lesson or lifeguarding training, and it does not provide extensive skill instruction.

IMPORTANT: This screening does NOT count as, replace, or satisfy the American Red Cross Lifeguarding prerequisite, and it does not provide any certification or guarantee that you will pass the official prerequisite. Participants who register for the lifeguarding course must still complete and pass the official prerequisite before the course begins.

Screening dates and registration

Refund & Course Transfer Policy

Course cancellations by the JCC

Katz JCC Aquatics American Red Cross certification courses require a minimum number of participants. The Katz JCC reserves the right to cancel a course if minimum enrollment is not met. If the JCC cancels a class, participants may choose to receive a full refund or transfer to another available course at no additional cost. Participants will be notified of any class cancellation within three (3) days of the scheduled course start date.

Refund schedule

Refunds are processed based on the timeframe before the course start date:

7 or more business days before the start date: 100% refund
5 to 6 business days before the start date: 75% refund
3 to 4 business days before the start date: 50% refund
Less than 3 business days before the start date: No refund

Once a course has begun, no refunds will be issued for any reason, including failure to pass prerequisites, written exams, or practical skills, non-attendance, or dismissal due to unsafe, inappropriate, or unprofessional behavior.

Attendance

Attendance at all scheduled course days and times is mandatory. Due to the structured nature of the American Red Cross curriculum, instructors follow a fixed teaching schedule and cannot make up missed instructional time, delay the course, or stop instruction for participants who arrive late or miss a scheduled session.

Prerequisites and transfers

Participants must successfully complete all prerequisite assessments in order to continue in the course. This includes the online coursework and the physical first-day prerequisite. Participants who do not pass the prerequisite assessment will be dismissed from the course and must attend one of the next two available Katz JCC Aquatics course offerings to continue toward certification.

Course transfers may be requested prior to the first day of class and are subject to availability. Participants who do not pass the prerequisite assessment are eligible for one free transfer into one of the next two available JCC course offerings. Failure to attend within these next two offerings will require full re-registration and payment.

Conduct

In accordance with American Red Cross guidelines, all participants are expected to demonstrate professionalism, respectful conduct, and safe behavior at all times. Any inappropriate, disruptive, or unsafe behavior will result in immediate dismissal without refund or opportunity to retake the course.