How long does it take to train to be a lifeguard?
July 12, 2018 10:07 PM Subscribe
I'm writing a story and I need to know, basically, how long it takes to get a US open water lifeguard certification, if you already have one for closed water. Simple, right? None of the websites I can find will tell me, only how long the certification is good for. Can anyone help this writer out?
Response by poster: The story takes place on the coast of Georgia, if that makes a difference.
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 1:29 AM on July 13, 2018
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 1:29 AM on July 13, 2018
It's possible this is tricky to find because open water lifeguard certification as a nationally-recognized course doesn't exist. There's lifeguard training from the Red Cross which is the standard first step. That class in Ohio will be the same as it is in Miami or Georgia or Lahaina.
The US Lifeguard Association helps organizations create their own open water certification programs that address standards appropriate to their specific area. They helped Tybee Island come up with a program, here's a video. Maybe contact Tybee Island Ocean Rescue department and ask?
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:40 AM on July 13, 2018
The US Lifeguard Association helps organizations create their own open water certification programs that address standards appropriate to their specific area. They helped Tybee Island come up with a program, here's a video. Maybe contact Tybee Island Ocean Rescue department and ask?
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:40 AM on July 13, 2018
In Canada, the National Lifeguard certification is split into several branches. You can go directly to an open water certification, but most commonly, you would have your pool option, and then get your waterfront option on top of that with a weekend course.
Obviously, Canada is not Georgia, but I expect the process isn't *that* different.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:46 AM on July 13, 2018
Obviously, Canada is not Georgia, but I expect the process isn't *that* different.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:46 AM on July 13, 2018
Best answer: I was a beach lifeguard in St. Johns County, FL (about an hour and a half south of the Georgia border) from 1999-2004. Our certification followed the USLA program, which I was told at the time (by folks who'd been through both) was more rigorous than the Red Cross program.
When I did my initial training, we had a few former pool guards in the class with us. Literally the only part of the training they were able to skip was CPR certification. Everything else they had to do with us. I think CPR was two 4-hour classes, so they missed a total of 8 hours.
The training program itself ran two months, with two four hour classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights and a Saturday all-day class (9-5), so roughly 16 hours a week for 8 weeks, for a grand total of roughly 128 hours. So the pool-certified guards in our class would have been on the hook for 120 hours or so.
I'd be happy to tell you more about the training program if you're interested. My email is in my profile.
posted by saladin at 10:39 AM on July 13, 2018
When I did my initial training, we had a few former pool guards in the class with us. Literally the only part of the training they were able to skip was CPR certification. Everything else they had to do with us. I think CPR was two 4-hour classes, so they missed a total of 8 hours.
The training program itself ran two months, with two four hour classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights and a Saturday all-day class (9-5), so roughly 16 hours a week for 8 weeks, for a grand total of roughly 128 hours. So the pool-certified guards in our class would have been on the hook for 120 hours or so.
I'd be happy to tell you more about the training program if you're interested. My email is in my profile.
posted by saladin at 10:39 AM on July 13, 2018
Response by poster: Awesome, thanks everyone - I think this is everything I need, but Saladin, I will surely take you up on your gracious offer if it turns out not to be so. You're all lovely!
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 4:42 PM on July 13, 2018
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 4:42 PM on July 13, 2018
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posted by Iris Gambol at 11:05 PM on July 12, 2018