Lifeguard Courses for Groups and Individuals

Our mobile lifeguard training as a Red Cross licensed training provider serves multiple metro areas from branches in Southern California, San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Orlando, Washington DC, Hawai’i, and more.

Fill Out a Form to Get More Information or Book Your Course 

Customize Your Training

We travel to you. Our certification courses are built on what certifications you need for your group, including water attraction modules, open water, etc. You request the times and dates of the training that work for you. Secondly, you put in all other information regarding training. We receive the request and schedule what works for both parties. Lastly, we confirm and get it in the books. Happy Swimmers trains throughout the US.  

How Our Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certification Works 

There are two choices for our Red Cross lifeguard certifications: blended learning or full in-class course. Firstly, with blended learning, there is a 7-hour course online to complete at the participant’s own pace prior to the start date. The in-class time is 21.5 hours. This is the most widely used, most cost effective, and time effective strategy. It should be noted that normally this is spread over 3 days in order to hit requirements.

Comparatively to the blended learning, there is the solely in-class option. This course without the blended learning portion, in-class time is 27.50 hours. At this time, we schedule this in 4 day courses.

See all the requirements for courses here on redcross.org

Certification Prerequisites 

Participants must pass the following prerequisites at the start of the training. If a participant does not pass even one of these, they are not able to continue on with the course. Unlike everything else in the training, these are skills participants must have prior to the training.

  • 300 Yard Swim without stopping (not timed)
  • 2 min water tread without hands

  • Brick tow (grab brick from deep end and tow back to opposite side)

During the Training

Besides the prerequisites, our instructors teach all skills needed to pass the course. Instructors have participants practice each skill as many times as they need. Moreover, teamwork is practiced daily as it takes part of every skill throughout the whole training. CPR, first aid, spinals, and in-water saves are some of the main skills taught and practiced. Additionally, instructor directs participants to practice at home and go over their notes prior to the test day. Compared to other companies out there, our trainers take the time and ensure all people have the opportunity to pass. Happy Swimmer staff care about each participant in our courses.

Red Cross Lifeguard Training Test Day

Finally is test day. Undoubtedly, this is the most important part of lifeguard training. As a result of successfully passing all tests, participants will receive their certifications. Here, participants get to show off their skills. After all are completed, instructors decide whether they are capable of becoming a lifeguard.

Here are the tests you will be taking:

  • Multiple choice CPR/AED test
  • Multiple choice lifeguard skills test
  • Two multi-rescuer scenarios (where participants have to run through timed saves and accurately save victim)

If you have any questions or would like to book your lifeguard training, please fill out this form.

Happy Swimmers is an authorized US Government Contractor capable of providing training services to federal and state agencies. We are the Nation’s Capitol Staff selected training provider. Red Cross Lifeguard Training is what we pride ourselves in teaching. 

If you're an individual, not a group, click here

Hosting a Lifeguard Academy

We come to you! This is the best because it trains your lifeguards at the place they will be working. They get to practice their emergency action plan. They get to practice with the equipment they will be using. They get used to their facility. If they train elsewhere, they will need a lot more training before beginning their lifeguard shifts. 

If you have a pool that meets the Red Cross standards for a training facility, please fill out this inquiry form. Include your time frame, and the current number of students that may want to take the training. Hosts can be named as additional insured on our insurance policy. 

If You Don’t Have Pool Access 

If you don’t have pool access but still need to be certified, please click this link to see our upcoming classes. Classes open to students will be added throughout the year as facilities become available. 

If you would like to train your whole group at a pool that is not your own, just reach out to us.

Happy Swimmer Red Cross Lifeguard Training provides entry-level participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, respond to aquatic emergencies.  Participants will provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.

Red Cross certifications for Lifeguard Training, CPR, AED and First Aid are issued to candidates who successfully complete the training. Certifications are valid for 2 years.

How Long is the Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course?

This is a 3-day course, 21.5 hours in total. For your group, you can arrange the lifeguard instructor to come and teach at the times and days that work best for you. Just make sure it hits that minimum. 

How many people do I need?

Six participants is the general minimum, 10 is the max for one lifeguard instructor. If you have a group of less than 6 but at least 4, we can still accommodate your training though it will be a bit more per participant. You can also choose to open your class to a walk-on students to accommodate the low number. We will host the training at your pool providing it meets the training requirements.

Our Complete Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course Offerings:

Red Cross Lifeguard Training (LGT) Blended Learning Course

Time: Online 7 hours, In-person 21.5 hours

Provides entry-level participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. The Lifeguard Training Blended Learning Course allows you to read the material and watch the videos from the comfort of your home. The online training is approximately 7 hours. In-person training will be 20 hours. This training is for new lifeguard candidates or those with lapsed certifications. In some cases, travel fees may need to be compensated by the group or host.  Our office will inform you if this is the case for your specific training. Certification issued for 2 years.

Link to Download the Lifeguard Textbook to your computer for pre-study here (Lifeguard text near the bottom of the page)

Red Cross Shallow Water Lifeguard Course 

Time: Online 7 hours, In-person 20 hours

Provide entry-level participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. This training is specifically for facilities with a water depth of 5 feet or less. Certification issued for 2 years.

Red Cross Lifeguard Review Course

Time: 10 hours

For those whose certifications are soon to expire but still certified (30 day grace period allowed). The review course is usually conducted in one day. Lifeguards will be expected to complete the Lifeguard prerequisite swim test, practice rescue skills, work through team scenarios, successfully complete the written test and skills test at the end of the course. Note: You will need to bring your hip pack, gloves, resuscitation mask, whistle, and lanyard.   Certification issued for 2 years.

Link to Download the Lifeguard Textbook to your computer for pre-study here (Lifeguard text near the bottom of the page)

Waterfront Lifeguard Training

Time: 6 hours

To teach lifeguards the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found in public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds. The course is conducted in conjunction with the lifeguard training program. As a stand-alone course, it is a 6-hour training at the waterfront. Certification issued for 2 years.

Red Cross Shallow Water Lifeguard Course and One-Day Review Course

Designed for people who lifeguard at pools up to 5 feet deep. Keep in mind, this is only for shallow water pools, and easier pre-tests, including a 100 yard swim instead of a 300-yard swim.

Travel fees

Travel fees may need to be compensated by the group or host.  Our office will inform you if this is the case for your specific training upon confirming your booking. In some cases, if you have room and board for the lifeguard instructor, it will lessen the total amount for training. 

Testimonials

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The benefits of booking us for a mobile lifeguard training

  • You choose the dates and times for your training
  • Direct contact with the lifeguard instructor prior to the training
  • Your group trains at your location, so lifeguards know the emergency action plan of their facility
  • Highly qualified lifeguard instructors with years of experience

How to enroll/pay

Click here to inquire for your group’s certifications. 

Click here to sign up an individual for a lifeguard course. 

For groups, course fee is payable by credit card, ACH, or check prior to the class being confirmed. Individuals must sign up on Eventbrite prior to the course.

Individuals ready to register for a class on our calendar?

Lifeguard Training Pre-course Requirements

    • Student minimum age is 15 years by the last day of class
    • Swim 300 yards using freestyle or breaststroke. The candidate must demonstrate breath control and rhythmic breathing without stopping.
    • Tread Water, legs only, for 2 minutes
    • Timed brick test: Swim 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet, and retrieve a 10-pound brick from the bottom. Surface and swim on your back with the object for 20 yards, exit the water without using a ladder or steps. The time limit is 1 minute and 40 seconds.

Please note: Course tuition fee is not refundable for not passing the swim pretest. 

Candidates should practice and train prior to the course.

Lifeguard Textbook link.  You’ll need it for the course:

https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/no-index/LG_PM_digital.pdf



Calendar link also accessed by clicking here

5 Easy Steps to Host a Lifeguard Class for a Private Group

Step 1: Make sure your pool is within Red Cross regulations

Pool must meet size requirements and be heated to at least 82 degrees for comfort.  The pool needs to have a 7-foot or greater deep end with a 15-yard (45 feet) or greater length from the pool edge. An area to conduct CPR and First Aid training will be needed, classroom space is ideal but not required. Please email our office if you have any questions about your pool. 

Step 2: Coordinate dates

Organize the dates you want within your group prior to sending the inquiry. Lifeguard trainings need to be at least 3 days, hitting 21.50 hours in total. You can arrange the dates and times that best fit with your schedule. It is easier to have a few dates solid prior for booking process ease. 

Step 3: Fill out your inquiry + book

Visit the Happy Swimmers link to inquire about your class: https://www.happyswimmers.com/cpr-training/book/

When we receieve this we will reach out to confirm dates. After confirmation, we will wait to receieve payment to book your lifeguard instructor.

Step 4: Send Participant Information

We need to have full names, emails, and numbers of all participants. They will receive a link from Salesforce and must complete the blended learning portion prior to the start date.  

Step 5: Training Time! 

Lifeguard instructor will show up and teach the best ifeguard academy ever!

 Refund Policy

100% refund up to 7 days before first class start date. No refunds will be given within 7 days of training. If you do not show up to the training, you will not be refunded, no exceptions. If you show up and do not meet requirements, cannot pass the tests, and/or do not complete the training, you will not be refunded, no exceptions.

If you're an individual, not a group, click here

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INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO JOIN A LIFEGUARD CLASS

Any individuals not with their own group, and no pool of their own:

Click here for our public class enrollment:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/happyswimmerscom-16842169658

We add classes a month or so before April, May, and June, and as they come in.  Check back every two weeks if possible in the Spring/Summer season.

We look forward to training you!

Happy Swimmers USA