American Red Cross Lifeguarding

*Prospective candidates MUST complete pre-course skill testing and be able to attend all course dates in the session. Evaluate the fit of the class schedule with your personal calendar before you take steps to enroll. Enrollment deadline is December 23, 2011.*

This course consists of  approximately 30 hours of required classroom and pool actiities to prepare lifeguard candidates with the latest science in first aid, CPR  / emergency cardiovascular care, water rescue skills, safety protocols and preventative lifeguarding strategies.  It is expected that prospective candidates demonstrate their capacity for the level of responsibility they will face as lifeguards by contacting Aquatic Director Jeanne-Marie Kavanagh to schedule a pre-course evlaution. Enrollment is limited and will be first come, first enrolled upon successful completion of the pre-course skills evaluation and payment of registration fees by December 23rd.  Candidates who fail to successfully perform the pre-requisite skills will not be accepted.  The course will be cancelled if minimum enrollment is not met, and / or a wait list will be established if necessary due to high enrollment requests. Course pre-requisites are:

• - minimum age 15 years old on or before February 17, 2012 
• - complete a 300 meter swim as follows; 100 front crawl demonstrating correct rhythmic breathing and overall endurance), 100 breastroke demonstrating a "pull, breathe, kick and glide" sequence), 100 either front crawl or breastroke
• - complete a timed 20 meter back and forth swim with a feet first surface dive to retieve a 10 lb. object from the dive tank in the middle of the swim
• (NOTE: When returning to the starting point, the participant must hold the 10-pound object with both hands, placing the brick on his or her chest, and must keep his or her face above the water.) The participant can swim on his or her back using an elementary backstroke kick, whip kick or a rotary (eggbeater) kick. The participant must exit the water using his or her strength. The time is complete once the participant has exited the water and is standing up on the pool deck. The purpose of the timed event is to ensure that the participant demonstrates comfort in the water along with enough speed, strength and endurance to perform a combination of basic skills that are required and built upon throughout the course)

Attendance is required at ALL classes:  Saturdays January 7th & 14th 8 am- 2 pm and Fridays January 20th-February 17th 6-10 PM.  *In the event of inclement weather or other unforseen cancellations, classes will be made up on Monday and/ or Wednesday evenings TBA if necessary*

To arrange a pre-course evaluation please email kavanagh.jm@deerparkschools.org or call the pool office #274-4186 to schedule an appointment. Appointments will be available on Saturdays December 3rd, 10th and 17th, on Wednesday evenings just before and later during public swimming hours and occassionally afterschool on Mondays or Fridays.  All evaluations must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline of December 23rd.

Please DO NOT write out any checks prior to completion of the pre-course skills evaluation. Course Fees include separate costs for training materials and Red Cross fees ($110 each participant), and facility fees (Deer Park Resident $40.00 / Non Resident $80.00) Totaling $150 per Deer Park Resident and $190 per Non Resident.  Proof of residency is required.