Lifeguard Certification
Provides entry-level participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. All participants must pass the pre-test to participate in the course.
This is a blended learning lifeguard class which includes 6 hours of online learning and 21.5 hours of in person training (excluding meal and rest breaks). Our Red Cross lifeguard training classes have been enhanced to provide a more comprehensive and effective learning experience. To accommodate these updates, our classes are now scheduled over multiple days, allowing for a more relaxed pace and in-depth exploration of the material. This expanded format enables our expert instructors to:
- Deliver detailed instruction and demonstration
- Provide ample time for hands-on practice and reinforcement
- Ensure you feel confident and prepared for real-world scenarios.
- By spreading the training over multiple days, we've created a more engaging and supportive learning environment that sets you up for success as a lifeguard.
About the online course
This course follows a blended learning model, which combines online coursework with in-person sessions. You will receive an email 10 days prior to your in person training from the American Red Cross with instructions for accessing the online course content. To get started, log in to the Red Cross Learning Center and from your home page, click on the class. Please plan to complete all of the assigned online course modules at least 2 days prior to the corresponding in-person session. The online course content (16 modules) is designed to be completed in approximately 6 hours, with each module taking between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.
About the in person course
The total instructional time for the Lifeguarding course in-person sessions is 21.5 hours (excluding meal and rest breaks).
Prerequisites
Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs.
Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive (head-first or feet-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.
To successfully complete the course and receive certification, you must:
- Attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
- Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during skill practices, skill
- drills, activities and scenarios.
- Demonstrate proficiency in all skills.
- Successfully pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent.
- Pass three final skill assessments.
Participants who successfully complete this lifeguarding course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for two years.
What you need for class
During the first class session, you will be required to provide proof of age and identity. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or birth certificate. If a birth certificate is used to provide proof of age, an additional form of identification with a photo is also needed to provide proof of identity.
In general, you will need the following for each class session:
- A swimsuit that allows for good range of motion and that will stay secure and keep you covered during physical activity.
- A towel.
- Comfortable clothing for classroom activities and practicing skills such as CPR.
- Your Lifeguarding Manual (in either print or digital format), a hip pack or fanny pack, resuscitation mask (Included in your
- registration fee) and whistle.
- For your comfort, you may want to bring an extra swimsuit and a change of dry clothes, in addition to an extra layer (such as a
- sweatshirt and sweatpants)
- Must bring a bagged lunch
Registration Information:
- Dates and Times: Contact the Meriden YMCA at 203-235-6386.
- Fee: $390
- In-person classes will be held at the Meriden YMCA, 110 West Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451
- For registration information contact the Welcome Center at (203) 235.6386
- American Red Cross classes are nonrefundable. The only exception is if the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA cancels the class.
Lifeguard Re-certification Course
To enroll in the Lifeguarding Recertification course, you must have a current certification or a certification expired by no more than 30 days for American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. To participate in the recertification course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place during the first in-person session.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and
demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs.
Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive (head-first or feet-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.
Starting in May 2025 we are switching over to Blended Learning Recertifications (this is to ensure participants are refreshed on the information before coming in)
This course follows a blended learning model, which combines online coursework (16 modules) with in-person sessions. You will receive an email 10 day prior to the in-person training from the American Red Cross with instructions for accessing the online course content. To get started, log in to the Red Cross Learning Center and from your home page, click on the class. Please plan to complete all of the assigned online course modules at least 2 days prior to the corresponding in-person session. The online course uses adaptive learning technology to create an independent learning plan for you. Each module begins with a pre-assessment. You can completely test out of a module, test out of specific learning objectives within the module, or be required to complete the entire module.
What you need for class
During the first in-person session, you will be required to provide proof of age and identity. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or birth certificate. If a birth certificate is used to provide proof of age, an additional form of identification with a photo is also needed to provide proof of identity.
A printed copy of your current certification or a certification expired by no more than 30 days for American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid.
In general, you will need the following for each class session:
- A swimsuit that allows for good range of motion and that will stay secure and keep you covered during physical activity.
- A towel.
- Comfortable clothing for classroom activities and practicing skills such as CPR.
- Your Lifeguarding Manual (in either print or digital format), a hip pack or fanny pack, resuscitation mask (Included in your
- registration fee) and whistle.
- For your comfort, you may want to bring an extra swimsuit and a change of dry clothes, in addition to an extra layer (such as a
- sweatshirt and sweatpants)
- Must bring a bagged lunch
To successfully complete the course and receive certification, you must:
- Attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
- Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during skill practices, skill
- drills, activities and scenarios.
- Demonstrate proficiency in all skills.
- Successfully pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent.
- Pass three final skill assessments.
Registration Information:
- Day/Date/Time: Call 203-235-6386
- Fee: $200
- Location: Meriden YMCA, 110 West Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451
- American Red Cross classes are nonrefundable. The only exception is if the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA cancels the class.
CPR and First Aid Certification or Re-certification
The Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED blended learning course equips students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid breathing and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children and infants.
The class is a blended learning format with 2.5 hours of online and 2.5 hours of in person training. The online portion (accessed via mobile desktop or tablet) must be completed prior to attending the instructor-led skills session. Upon successful completion a valid two year digital certificate for Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED is issued.
- Prerequisites: Online work must be completed prior to in-person training.
- Location: Meriden YMCA, 110 West Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451
- Fee: $75
- Contact: Cathy Lewis at 203.235.6386 or clewis@meridenymca.org
- American Red Cross classes are nonrefundable. The only exception is if the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA cancels the class.
Lifeguard Waterfront Certification Course
This skills module can be added onto any CURRENT Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED certification. A copy of current certification must be supplied to the instructor before attending the session. Pre-requisite swim skill requirements are the same as those listed for the Full Course Lifeguarding with Waterfront Skills (outlined below). Completing the module does not extend the current Lifeguarding/FA/CPR/AED certification and the Waterfront Skills Module certification expires when the current LG certification expires. Participants must supply their own search mask and fins (goggles do not suffice).
The purpose of the Waterfront Skills Module is to teach currently certified lifeguards the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds.
Pre-Req Swim Skills Evaluation for Lifeguarding with Waterfront Skills:
-Goggles may be used for the 550 yard continuous swim only.
-550 yard continuous swim demonstrating rhythmic breathing (front crawl, breaststroke, or any combination of front crawl and breaststroke);
-Tread water for 2 minutes using legs only;
-Complete a timed event within 1 min 40 secs. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, surface dive (head or feet first) to retrieve a 10 pound brick from at least 7-9 deep water, resurface and return to the starting point by swimming 20 yards on back with two hands on the brick at all times, and exit without using the steps or ladder.
-Goggles may be used for the 300 yard continuous swim, but for no other part of the pre-requisite swim skills evaluation.
-Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence.
- Date: Call 203-235-6386
- Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
- Fee: $100
- Location: Meriden YMCA
- Must have a current lifeguard certification
- Register: Contact the Meriden YMCA at (203) 235-6386
- American Red Cross classes are nonrefundable. The only exception is if the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA cancels the class.