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American Red Cross Lifeguarding 

This is a professional level course, the purpose is to prepare lifeguard candidates using a dynamic presentation of the latest science in first aid, emergency cardiovascular care, water rescue skills, safety protocols and preventative lifeguarding strategies so they may seek employment as qualified lifeguards.

 American Red Cross Lifeguard Training extended outline blended learning requires online modules and book assignments to be completed by each participant at home between in-person classroom sessions at the pool. (online content 6-7 hours total, approx. 24 hours in person includes breaks and time for changing in and out of bathing suits).
Participants MUST gain access to the online content through appropriate technology and will assume sole responsibility for completing online content throughout the course. In person sessions focus on hands-on skill practice and scenario based learning to apply broadly acquired knowledge; during online sessions, activities, demonstrations, guided discussions and physical practice.  Attendance at, and full participation in ALL classroom / pool sessions is required to successfully complete this training. 

 Schedule:  In person sessions for WINTER 2026 are being planned for Tuesday evenings 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM January 6th - March 3rd. **Registration opens November 3, 2025 and must be completed by December 23, 2025**

Fees: $200 Deer Park Resident and $240 Non Resident.
Payments accepted in the form of cash or 2 separate checks upon successful demonstration of course pre-requisites.
DO NOT write out any checks until pre-requisites have been demonstrated. 

There are strict American Red Cross requirements on class size. Minimum enrollment is required. Payment will be returned if the course minimum enrollment is not met. 

1. Course materials: $160 per participant pays for American Red Cross manual, required training materials and the certification fee. Check paid to "cash"

2. Facility fee:  $80 Non Deer Park Residents / $40 Deer Park Resident with proof of residency (by school ID, drivers permit/license, utility bill). Check paid to "DEER PARK UFSD" 

**How to enroll: Starting November 3rd and by December 23, 2025**
Potential candidates email Aquatic Director & American Red Cross Instructor Jeanne-Marie Kavanagh to request an appointment where you will demonstrate the pre-requisite skills listed below.   kavanagh.jm@deerparkschools.org   

CC-ing a parent on this email is appropriate but not required, parents are welcome to encourage but not accept responsibility for the candidate throughout the course.

 When the course minimum is met, the candidate will be sent a link for online content to create an American Red Cross account and begin the online content.
*YOU MUST USE A PERSONAL EMAIL FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ACCOUNT*

Pre-course Skill Requirements  * Tested By appointment. Approximately 20 minutes.*

  • SHOW PROOF OF MINIMUM AGE 15 YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE March 3, 2026.  (BIRTH CERTIFICATE, STATE ID, PASSPORT OR DRIVERS PERMIT / LICENSE).

  • Jump into the water, submerge and recover. PERFORM A CONTINUOUS SWIM-TREAD-SWIM SEQUENCE comprised of; 150M FRONT CRAWL or BREASTSTROKE DEMONSTRATING  BREATHING AND OVERALL ENDURANCE  (6 LENGTHS) TREAD WATER 2 minutes using legs only (whip, scissor or rotary kick, not flutter kick) Keeping a vertical position with head out of the water during the 2 minutes - RESUME SWIMMING FRONT CRAWL OR BREASTSTROKE 50M

  • COMPLETE A TIMED, SIMULATED "RESCUE AND RETRIEVAL" FROM DEEP WATER; STARTING IN THE WATER SWIM 20 YDS., PERFORM A FEET FIRST OR HEAD FIRST SURFACE DIVE TO RETRIEVE A 10 LB. BRICK FROM THE DIVE TANK. BRING IT TO THE SURFACE, KICK BACK TO THE STARTING POINT WITH THE OBJECT HELD IN BOTH HANDS AND EXIT THE WATER WITHOUT USING A LADDER OR STEPS. (THE DIVE TANK IS 13 FT. DEEP). NOTE: DURING THIS SIMULATED RESCUE SKILL, THE PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE MUST HOLD THE 10 LB. OBJECT WITH BOTH HANDS, HOLDING IT OVER HIS OR HER CHEST, AND MUST KEEP HIS OR HER FACE ABOVE THE WATER WHILE USING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING KICKS TO SWIM ON THEIR BACK: SCISSOR KICK (INVERTED), WHIP KICK, ROTARY (AKA EGG BEATER) KICK. THE PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE MUST EXIT THE WATER USING HIS OR HER OWN STRENGTH.  THE TIME IS COMPLETE ONCE HE OR SHE HAS EXITED THE WATER AND IS STANDING UP ON THE POOL DECK. ) 

Prospective candidates who fail to successfully perform the pre-requisite skills cannot be accepted in this training. The course will be cancelled if minimum enrollment is not met, a wait list will be established if a more than the maximum permitted number of enrollment requests are received. There are strict American Red Cross and health and safety requirements on class size.