Lifeguard Certification Class

Whether you are looking for a great summer job or career as a professional lifeguard, the YMCA of Greater Erie Lifeguard program is the place to begin! Through classroom activities, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work as a lifeguard.

Our comprehensive Lifeguard Training course includes accident prevention, lifeguarding techniques, emergency systems, and rescue skills. Course will also include CPR for the professional Rescuer with AED, Oxygen Administration and First Aid.

Training Prerequisites:

  • Must be at least 16 for YMCA certification
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using legs only
  • Swim 100 yards of free style
  • Swim 50 yards of each free style with head up, breaststroke, sidestroke,
    breaststroke with head up, elementary backstroke kick with hands on
    the chest.
  • Perform a feet-first surface-dive in 8-10 feet of water (or maximum
    depth of training facility). Then swim underwater for 15 feet.
  • Starting in the shallow end of the water, sprint for a distance of
    approximately 60 feet then perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in
    8-10 feet (or maximum depth of training facility).
  • Pick up an object from the bottom of pool, surface and tread water for
    at lease one minute with legs only, replace the object back to the
    bottom of the pool where it was found.
  • Swim the remaining length to the end of the pool and hoist yourself
    out of the water.
  • Immediately begin compression on an adult manikin for one minute or
    100 compressions, stand and listen to directions for instructor.

Certification Requirements:

To receive Lifeguard Certification a participant must:

  • Attend 100% of all class sessions
  • Arrive on time for all class sessions
  • Participate 100% in all class sessions
  • Pass prerequisites
  • Pass written and skills test
  • Demonstrate maturity, respect and responsibility regardless of passing written and skill test

Cost & Registration

  • Includes price of YMCA Lifeguard Manual (On the Guard 2016 edition),
    blended learning for ASHI and cards/e-learning, fanny pack with pocket mask
    and gloves, whistle and certification card.
  • YMCA Employee-free
  • Members- $185 after Passing Swim
  • Non-Members-$225 after Passing Swim
  • All registrations are non-refundable
  • Registrations may be taken over the phone or in-person branch of your choice. Payment is due at the time of registration.
    Please Note: This course is physically demanding. All participants should be in excellent physical condition and have strong swimming skills. The YMCA does not guarantee participants will pass. No refunds will be issued.

Program Contacts

Downtown YMCA
Monica Olesnanik
Current Schedule
452-3261

Eastside Family YMCA
Karyn Snedeker
Current Schedule
899-9622

Glenwood Park YMCA
Kelly Austin
Current Schedule
868-0867

YMCA Lifeguard V6 Certification Course

Prior to registration for this course, interested participants must pass the physical skills test (see Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test) to ensure  physical competency.

The YMCA Lifeguard V6 Certification Course through the YMCA of the USA is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a lifeguard and professional rescuer. The course presents information on the skills and knowledge lifeguards need in pool, lake, river, surf, and waterpark environments.

Participants will also be certified in American Safety & Health Institute’s (ASHI) courses:
Basic Life Support, Basic First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age by the end of the course to earn certification.

YMCA Lifeguard V6 Certification Course

Glenwood Park
4/13/24 - 4/22/24
VIEW

The Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test must be taken and successfully completed prior to registration for the YMCA Lifeguard V6 Certification Course.

This comprehensive course offers up-to-date information on how to lifeguard by anticipating and preventing problems before they occur and by taking action to help those in danger when necessary.  The course covers safety skills, accident prevention, scanning, guarding techniques, emergency systems, rescue skills, first aid in aquatic environments, spinal injury management, open water dangers, legal responsibilities, pool maintenance basics, and information on how to get a job as a lifeguard.

Pre-class assignments include completion of the Lifeguard V6 elearning through the YMCA of the USA (estimated time to complete is 3 hours) and elearning lessons for Basic Life Support, First Aid and Emergency Oxygen through the American Safety & Health Institute (estimated time to complete is 5 hours).  All elearning assignments must be completed prior to the start of the YMCA Lifeguard V6 Certification Course.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age by the end of the course to earn certification.

All course dates must be attended.  Make up classes are not available.


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MetroBranchNon-Member
3/29/24 4/4/24 Online / Front Desk $ 185.00$ 185.00$ 225.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
04/13/24 - 04/22/24
Sat & Sun-Apr. 13, 14, 20, 21 8:30-5pm. Mon-Apr. 22 4:30-8:30pm
8 / 10 Available Register  
Closes
04/04/2024