Lifeguard Instructor Training
Lifeguard instructors prepare individuals to patrol beachfronts and pool waterfronts in an effort to prevent drowning and enforce safety regulations and procedures. Lifeguard instructors also must know about first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), preventing disease transmission, water safety and water rescue. The American Red Cross has lifeguard instructor training courses in nearly every city in the United States.
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Pre-Course Requirements
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Lifeguard instructor trainees are required to be at least 17 years old by the completion of the course. Instructor trainees are required to complete a pre-course physical and written assessment, including a swimming test, demonstration of mastery in specific lifeguarding skills and the ability to pass a written examination. Applicants are also required to have their Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) certificate issued within the last year or a current Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate. Students must pay a fee for the course. Payments vary. Applicants should contact their local Red Cross chapter for details.
Training Materials
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American Red Cross lifeguard instructors are required to obtain the following course materials: the Lifeguard Instructor Manual, the Lifeguard Management Manual, the Lifeguard Participant Manual and a resuscitation mask.
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Subject Matter
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According to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, classes totaling 32 hours (including breaks) will instruct students on how to teach subject matter including: basic level lifeguarding, waterfront lifeguarding, shallow water attendant, lifeguard management, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for lifeguards, administering emergency oxygen, basic water rescue, and bloodborne pathogens and preventing disease transmission. Lifeguard instructor trainees will also receive information on water safety presentations as well as a program called Guardstart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow.
Certification Requirements
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In order to become a certified lifeguard instructor, trainees must fulfill certain requirements before completing the course. They must successfully complete all four of the teacher training exercises and scenarios, as well as pass the final written examination with a minimum score of 80 percent.
Certifications Issued
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Upon completion of the course, the following certifications will be issued: Lifeguard Instructor, valid for 15 to 24 months; Lifeguard Training with First Aid, valid for three years; and CPR/AED for Lifeguards, Oxygen Administration for the Professional Rescuer and Bloodborne Pathogens: Preventing Disease Transmission, all valid for one year.
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References
- Photo Credit no lifeguard image by Dave from Fotolia.com
