General Course Information
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Prerequisites: Participants must
be 15 years old by the final day of class. Participants
must pass pre-course screening tests on first day of class.
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Class Schedule: Monday through
Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
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There will be a half hour lunch break
each day. Please bring your own lunch. It's a good
idea to bring snacks and drinks too. It's a long, physical
day.
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This course includes First Aid (3-year
certification) and CPR/AED for Lifeguards (1-year
certification).
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To become certified full
attendance and participation is required. You must
be on time for class and you must stay until the conclusion of
each class. There are no make-up days.
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Additional Certification Requirements:
Score a minimum of 80% on written exams, complete final skill
scenarios, and perform all critical skills.
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For B-T Students: Your PE
grade and ARC course certification are separate evaluations of
your performance. It is possible to pass the PE course of
Lifeguard Training without qualifying for certification.
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This class is limited to the first
twelve registrants.
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Cost: This course is included in your
tuition if you are a B-T student. The course fee is $185
for the general public.
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Prerequisites for
Lifeguard Training
1. You must be 15 years of age or
older by the last day of class. (Proof of age is required at
the first class.)
2. You must pass the ARC Lifeguard
Training Prerequisite Swim Test
1. Swim 300 yards continuously, using
these strokes in the following order:
100 yards of front crawl (freestyle)
using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick
100 yards of breaststroke using a
pull, breathe, kick and glide sequence
100 yards of front crawl or
breaststroke or a combination of both
(There is no time limit for this first
test. Goggles are allowed.)
2. Timed Event - Starting in the water,
swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7–10
feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20
yards back to the starting point with the object, place it on the
deck and exit the water without using a ladder or steps within 1
minute, 40 seconds.
For the surface dive, the Red Cross allows
either a feetfirst or head first surface dive. The Red Cross
requires that you keep both hands on the weight, and keep the weight
at the surface as you swim to the side and have your face (not your
whole head) out of the water. You can swim on your back using any
propellant kick, such as an elementary backstroke kick, sidestroke
or a rotary kick (like the eggbeater water polo players use). The
time (under one minute, forty seconds) will be complete when you are
out of the pool standing on the side. Red Cross rules do not allow
goggles for this part of the test.
The video used to train lifeguard
instructors says this about the continuous swim: "It is not
acceptable for anyone to hang on to the lane lines for support or to
catch their breath at the turns before continuing." The video
goes on to the timed test, showing a lifeguard candidate swimming
out, surface diving for the weight and returning to the surface. He
holds the weight in one hand and pulls with the other hand/arm as he
goes from the bottom of the pool to the surface.
The video then says: "As they (the
lifeguard candidates) swim back to the starting point they need to
hold the object" (ten pound weight) "at the surface of the water."
(Again, with both hands on the object the whole way to the side.)
Advice for passing the lifeguard swim
test: Take your time on the 300 yard swim without a time
limit. Don't tire yourself out trying to sprint on the first test,
and then be too tired for the second one. On the surface dive
for the weight at 7 feet, avoid the temptation to swim down just far
enough to grab it. It's easier and faster to swim to the bottom,
grab the weight with both hands, put your feet on the bottom, and
push hard with your legs. If you have enough air, push up to the
surface at an angle in the direction you will be returning with the
weight. If you feel out of breath, push up to the surface straight.
You must keep both hands on the weight for the swim back to the side
until you place the weight on the deck. The best way to return
with the weight is to swim on your back using a whip kick or
eggbeater; a sidestroke scissors kick can also work.
I highly recommend
practicing the 300-yard and the timed swims several times prior to
the screening. If you do not pass the tests on the first day
of the course, you will not be allowed to continue with the class.
I can help you get ready, but you have to get to the pool first!
-jn
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