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American Red Cross Lifeguarding 

 American Red Cross Lifeguard Training extended outline blended learning requires online modules and book assignments to be completed by each participant at home between classroom sessions at the pool.  A course at this facility is being planned for Winter 2024:  6:30-9:30 PM Thursdays January 25 - March 14 with the possibility of weather related make up days falling on Tuesdays at 6:30-9:30 PM.  
This course is skill based training for rescue scenarios and preventative lifeguarding NOT training to be in shape. The course 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. In person classes will include working as partners and in teams for rescue skill practice and team building activities.  Attendance at all in person sessions is required. (Training at this facility does not imply you will be employed at this facility.)  Please review the pre-requisites and general information below and get in shape for your evaluation to enter this training. 

Pre-course Evaluation Requirements are:

  • SHOW PROOF OF MINIMUM AGE 15 YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2024  (BIRTH CERTIFICATE, STATE ID, PASSPORT OR DRIVERS PERMIT / LICENSE).

  • PERFORM A CONTINUOUS 300 METER SWIM COMPRISED OF; 100M FRONT CRAWL DEMONSTRATING CORRECT RHYTHMIC BREATHING AND OVERALL ENDURANCE, 100M BREASTSTROKE DEMONSTRATING A "PULL, BREATHE, KICK AND GLIDE" SEQUENCE, AND THE REMAINING 100M EITHER FRONT CRAWL OR BREASTSTROKE. (12 LENGTHS)

  • DEMONSTRATE TREADING WATER FOR 2 MINUTES USING LEGS ONLY FOR SUPPORT (WHIP, SCISSOR OR ROTARY KICK, NOT FLUTTER KICK), KEEPING A VERTICAL POSITION WITH YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE WATER DURING THE WHOLE 2 MINUTES.

  • 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 THE 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. )

*Evaluations for Winter 2024 held by appointment December 4, 2023 - January 16th, 2024* Appointments available right afterschool most days, Tuesday evenings and some Saturdays.

How to Enroll: Potential candidates request an evaluation appointment through email. CC-ing a parent on this candidate authored email is appropriate but not required, parents are welcome to encourage but not accept responsibility for this communication. Appointments will take approximately 20 minutes, with paid enrollment permitted ONLY upon successful evaluation.
Email Aquatic Director & American Red Cross Instructor Jeanne-Marie Kavanagh kavanagh.jm@deerparkschools.org

Total Fees amount to $200 Deer Park Resident and $240 Non Resident.

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

 Separately: $160 per participant for American Red Cross books, certification fees and training materials.

Payments can be cash or check. PLEASE DO NOT WRITE CHECKS UNTIL ADVISED TO DO SO. 

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