Lifeguard & Swim Instructor Classes
American Red Cross Lifeguard Class
Interested in being a lifeguard? Through videos, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn teamwork, rescue and surveillance skills. This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. Completing the course results in a 2-year certification in Lifeguarding/CPR/AED/First Aid, all in one certificate.
Candidates must meet these requirements for class:
- Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
- Complete the online learning portion of the course BEFORE class begins.
- Swim 300 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breast stroke or a combination of both, swimming on the back or side is NOT allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
- Tread water for two minutes using only their legs. Candidates should place their hands under their armpits.
- Complete a timed event with 1 minute, 40 seconds. Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, surface dive 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
If the candidate is not able to pass the Prerequisite Skills, they will be issued a full refund.
Males must wear boxer style swimming suit and females must wear a one piece swimming suit. Any person with long hair will be required to put it up or wear a swim cap.
Fees and Registration
- $250
- Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center. Includes Fanny Pack, Adult and Infant CPR masks, and online fee to Red Cross for online learning materials.
- All class times and dates are MANDATORY.
- Once registered, participants will receive instructions via email for the Red Cross Online Learning. The online material must be fully completed before the first day of class. Proof of completion will be required before class begins.
- GREAT BENEFIT: Submit a job application to work as a BPRD lifeguard, and we will enroll you in one of our lifeguarding classes for FREE. Can’t work immediately? Take a class now and work for us this spring or summer! Plus, enjoy a benefits pass that provides rounds of golf, driving range balls, pool passes, fitness passes and a picnic shelter reservation.
If you are interested in joining the BPRD lifeguard team, call Jahna at the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center at 751-4270 to take the class for free.
| Dates | Time | Code |
| March 21-22; March 23-24 | 5-9pm; 9am-5pm | 26507 |
| April 25-26; April 27-28 | 5-9pm; 9am-5pm | 26512 |
| May 16-17; May 18-19 | 5-9pm; 9am-5pm | 27148 |
| May 28-30 | 9am-6pm | 27149 |
| May 31; June 1-2 | 1:30-9:30pm; 9am-6pm | 27150 |
| June 3-5 | 9am-6pm | 27151 |
| June 3-6 | 1:30-8pm | 27152 |
| June 7; June 8-9 | 1:30-9:30pm; 9am-6pm | 27153 |
Lifeguard Recertification Class
Need to be recertified? Please see course description and requirements for the Lifeguarding class, as they are the same requirements for recertification. Questions? Call Jahna at 751-4270.
* Must show proof of AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION. This class does not re-certify for other lifeguard agencies.
Fees and Registration
- $150
- Free for BPRD employees. Must have application submitted or be currently working.
- Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.
| Dates | Time | Code |
| March 9 | 9am-7pm | 26511 |
| April 7 | 9am-7pm | 27249 |
| May 11 | 9am-7pm | 27155 |
| May 27 | 9am-7pm | 27156 |
Lifeguard Instructor Course
The Lifeguard Instructor Course trains instructor candidates how to teach American Red Cross lifeguarding, shallow water lifeguarding, aquatic attraction lifeguarding, waterfront skills, waterpark skills, first aid, CPR/AED for professional rescuers, administering emergency oxygen, and bloodborne pathogens.
Prerequisites
- Must be at least 17 years old.
- Possess a current Red Cross certification in Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED
- Complete the online Lifeguard Instructor course through the ARC learning center before the first day of class. An email will be sent with instructions after registration.
- Pass two rescue skill scenarios that test lifeguarding and CPR (on the first day of class)
Fees, Certification and Registration
- $300
- 2-year American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification
- Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.
- All Class times and dates are MANDATORY.
| Dates | Time | Code |
| April 19; April 20-21 | 4-9pm; 8am-7pm | 26514 |
Lifeguard Instructor Review Course
This in-person skills orientation is for CURRENT Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors and Instructor Trainers who must complete the in-person skills to update their Red Cross LGI/LGIT certification(s). All instructors participating must have successfully completed the Red Cross instructor online update PRIOR to participating in the LGI/LGIT update.
Participants must bring to class
- Proof of online update completion
- Lifeguard Instructors manual
- Infant and adult CPR Mask
- Swimming suit and towel
- Proof of blended learning online completion
(lifeguard renewal)
Fees and Registration
- $60
- Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.
| Dates | Time | Code |
| April 6 | 9am-6pm | 26513 |
| May 14 | 9am-6pm | 27263 |
Water Safety Instructor Class
The Water Safety Instructor Certification Course trains WSI candidates how to teach courses and presentations in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants’ progress.
Prerequisites
- WSI candidates must be at least 15 years old
- Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills (to be demonstrated on the first day of class):
- Swim the following strokes consistent with Level 4:
– Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke, Elementary Backstroke, Sidestroke – 25 yards; Butterfly – 15 yards
– Back float for one minute (floating or sculling)
– Tread water for one minute
- Swim the following strokes consistent with Level 4:
Required Online Course
- Once registered, participants will receive instructions via email for the Red Cross Online Learning. The email will be sent no earlier than about 3 weeks before the class begins. The online material must be fully completed before the first day of class. Proof of completion is required before class begins.
Fees and Registration
- $250
- Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center. Includes online fee to Red Cross for online learning materials.
- All class times and dates are MANDATORY.
| Dates | Time | Code |
| May 28-30 | 9am-6pm | 27159 |
| May 31; June 1-2 | 1:30-9:30pm; 9am-6pm | 27160 |
| June 7; June 8-9 | 1:30-9:30pm; 9am-6pm | 27262 |
Employment
For information on how to apply for a Lifeguard position, please visit our Jobs Page.