Aquatics Program

Lifeguarding Certification Course

For questions about the lifeguard course, contact Derrick Henning at henningd@sgasd.org.

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to:

• Prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies in both shallow water (less than 7 feet) and deeper water (7 feet or more).
• Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) professionals take over.

Prerequisites

To enroll in the Lifeguarding course, you must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session. To participate in the 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.

• 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, swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, hold the object at the surface with both hands, and keep your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.

Identification

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 prove age, an additional form of identification with a photo is also needed to prove identity.

Blended Learning - Online Modules Required

This course follows a blended learning model, which combines online coursework with in-person sessions. You will receive an email from the American Red Cross with instructions for accessing the online course content.

• To get started, log in to the Red Cross Learning Center, then from your home page, click 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. You may require more or less time to complete each module.
• It is recommended to begin the online coursework as soon as possible to ensure you complete all assigned online modules before the corresponding in-person sessions. 
• Online Coursework must be completed: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Course Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid, valid for 2 years. Please be aware that the skill practice sessions in the Lifeguarding course involve strenuous physical activity. If you have any concerns about your ability to participate fully in class (for example, because of a medical condition or disability), please contact me before the first in-person session to discuss possible accommodations. You may also wish to speak with a healthcare professional before the first in-person session.

In-Person Classes Required

Class Dates and Times:

• Friday, April 10, 2026; 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
• Saturday, April 11, 2026; 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Sunday, April 12, 2026; 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Cost: $300

Please note:

• Bring your swimsuit, towel, and a change of clothes
• Meals are not provided. Please plan to pack a lunch and dinner.

Registration Deadline: April 1, 2026

• Only ten spots are available. Must have six students registered in order to hold the class.

Registration and Payment

Lifeguarding Recertification

For questions about the lifeguard course, contact Derrick Henning at henningd@sgasd.org.

About the Course

The Lifeguarding Recertification course is designed to refresh your knowledge and skills. Upon successful completion, you will renew your certification for another two years. This course is blended learning (online + classroom). The blended learning course includes online + in-person skill demonstrations and features adaptive learning, allowing participants to test out of the online content they already know, ensuring they are prepared. The result is a custom learning path for each student in the online portion of the blended learning recertification course.

Prerequisites

To participate in the Lifeguarding Recertification class, you must have a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, and your certification must have expired by no more than 30 days. During the course, individuals will have the opportunity to review and practice their skills. Participants must pass the final written test and the three (3) final skill assessments, which include:

• Assessment 1 - Timed Response
  • Participants must complete a passive submerged rescue, extricate with the assistance of an assisting rescuer, and rapid assessment (including the delivery of 2 initial ventilations by either rescuer) within 1 minute, 30 seconds, and then provide 3 minutes of single-rescuer CPR.
     
• Assessment 2 - Rotation and Scanning
  • Participants must rotate into the lifeguard station, conduct surveillance from the station for 1 minute, and rotate out of the station.
     
• Assessment 3 - Final Team Response Testing Scenario
  • Participants must perform a passive submerged rescue, extrication, and rapid assessment, followed by multiple-rescuer CPR and use of an AED and a BVM resuscitator.

Class Information

Class Date and Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026; 8 AM - 7 PM

Cost: $150

Please note:

• The prerequisite for this course is a swimmer's skills evaluation
• Bring your CPR mask, whistle, swimsuit, towel, and a change of clothes
• Meals are not provided. Please plan to pack a lunch and dinner.

Registration Deadline: April 1, 2026

Registration and Payment

• All sales are final
   
• Makeup lessons are not available for missed classes.
   
• Refunds are given only if a sudden medical condition limits the ability to participate in the classes in which you are registered.
   
• If a lesson is canceled due to pool maintenance or repair, the cancellation will be posted on the District website and the District Facebook account. 

• Wear proper swimming suits. No street clothing.
• Shower before entering the pool.
• Obey the lifeguard at all times.
• Children 10 years and younger must be supervised by an adult.
• Non-swimmers and swimmers using flotation devices must be with an adult and remain in the shallow end of the pool at all times.
• Diving and jumping in designated areas only.
• No flips or back diving.
• No running, pushing, or any type of horseplay on the pool deck.
• Pool toys are allowed in the shallow end of the pool only.
• No food or drink is allowed in the locker rooms or in the pool area.