New Lifeguard Course – Shallow Water (Manhattan)

Description

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program provides participants with the knowledge and skills to:

• Prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies.
• Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS professionals take over.

Program Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate the professionalism required of a lifeguard.
• List responsibilities related to maintaining a safe aquatic environment.
• Identify the behaviors of swimmers, distressed swimmers, active drowning victims, and passive drowning victims.
• Demonstrate proper scanning and rotation techniques.
• Safely perform assists, rescues, and extrications (including spinal motion restriction).
• Respond to water and medical emergencies with proper procedures.
• Provide care using a resuscitation mask and BVM resuscitator.
• Deliver high-quality CPR and AED use (as a single rescuer and as part of a team).
• Work effectively as a team using an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Recognize and provide care for sudden illnesses and injuries in an aquatic setting.

Age Requirement
Participants must be 15 years or older.

Prerequisites – Swim Test

• Swim 50 yards continuously using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination (no back or side strokes; goggles allowed).
• Tread water for 2 minutes using legs only (floating allowed if depth ≤5 ft; must tread if deeper than 5 ft).
• Swim 50 yards using front crawl or breaststroke.
• Timed Event (50 seconds maximum):
  • Swim 20 yards (no goggles, face may be in or out of water).
  • Submerge 4–7 ft to retrieve a 10-lb object (consistent with facility depth).
  • Walk or swim 20 yards holding the object with both hands at the surface.
  • Exit the water without a ladder or steps.

What to Bring

• Proof of age (Day 1 only).
• Bathing suit and towel.
• Pocket face mask (provided free for full lifeguarding courses).
• Goggles for practice swimming (optional, not for timed event).
• Lock for lockers.
• Bottled water and snacks.
• Comfortable clothing for classroom activities.
• Pen and paper for notes.
• Optional lunch/meal (nearby food options available).
• Contact lens case/solution if wearing contacts.

Refund Policy

• New participants: Fail swim pretest → full refund.
• Fail written or in-water assessment → no refund.
• Recertification: Same as above (must hold a valid certification or one expired within 30 days).