YMCA Lifeguard Certification Course

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YMCA Lifeguard 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 V7 course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a lifeguard and professional rescuer.

Participants will be certified in the Health & Safety Institute’s (HSI) courses: Basic Life Support (BLS), Adult First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, and Emergency use of Medical Oxygen.

Participants must be at least 15 years of age by the end of the course to earn certification.

Participants ages 16 or older have an additional option to register for the Water Park and or Waterfront Skill Certifications. (Note: Additional Prerequisite Swim Test Skills are required for Waterfront.  See Waterfront Skills.)


Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim

Eastside Family Y
3/9/26 - 5/1/26
VIEW

The Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test must be taken and successfully completed prior to registration for the YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course or for employment with the YMCA of Greater Erie.

The Prerequisite Swim Test consists of 3 phases.  Each phase must be successfully completed to advance to the next phase.

Phase 1:  Continuous Swim for 350 Yards

  • 100 yards front crawl
  • 100 yards breaststroke
  • 50 yards front crawl with head up
  • 50 yards breaststroke with the head up
  • 50 yards elementary backstroke kick with hands on the chest/stomach

Phase 2:  Tread Water

  • Tread water for 2 minutes without arms

Phase 3:  Combined Skills event with no goggles

  • Sprint 20 yards, perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in 7 to 10 feet of water (or maximum depth of training facility)
  • Pick up a diving ring from the bottom of pool, surface, hold the object with both hands and tread water for at least 1 minute using your legs only
  • Swim the remaining length of the pool on your back holding the object with both hands. Place the object on the deck and hoist yourself out of water
  • Immediately begin compressions on an adult manikin for 1 minute or 100 compressions
  • Complete scan and recognize activity

Contact Malcolm Goodwine for more information. [email protected] or 814-899-9622 x3244


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MetroBranchNon-Member
Open Registration 3/9/26 5/5/26 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00$ 0.00$ 0.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
03/09/26 - 05/01/26
Register  

Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test

Glenwood Park
3/16/26 - 3/25/26
VIEW

The Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test must be taken and successfully completed prior to registration for the YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course or for employment with the YMCA of Greater Erie.

The purpose of the Prerequisite Swim Test is to determine participants have the strength and endurance needed for employment or to participate in the YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course.

The Prerequisite Swim Test consists of 3 phases.  Each phase must be successfully completed to advance to the next. 

Phase 1:  Continuous Swim For 350 Yards

  • 100 yards of front crawl
  • 100 yards of breaststroke
  • 50 yards of front crawl with head up
  • 50 yards of breaststroke with the head up
  • 50 yards elementary backstroke kick with hands on the chest/stomach

Phase 2:  Tread Water

  • Tread water for 2 minutes without arms

Phase 3:  Combined Skills event with no goggles

  • Sprint 20 yards, perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in 7 to 10 feet of water (or maximum depth of training facility)
  • Pick up a diving ring from the bottom of pool, surface, hold the object with both hands and tread water for at least 1 minute using your legs only
  • Swim the remaining length of the pool on your back holding the object with both hands. Place the object on the deck and hoist yourself out of water
  • Immediately begin compressions on an adult manikin for 1 minute or 100 compressions
  • Complete scan and recognize activity

Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MetroBranchNon-Member
3/9/26 3/29/26 Online / Front Desk $ 0.00$ 0.00$ 0.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
03/16/26
Mo - 4:00 pm - 30 mins
 2 / 2 Available Register  
Closes
03/16/2026
03/16/26
Mo - 4:30 pm - 30 mins
 2 / 2 Available Register  
Closes
03/16/2026
03/16/26
Mo - 5:00 pm - 30 mins
 2 / 2 Available Register  
Closes
03/16/2026
03/18/26
We - 4:00 pm - 30 mins
 2 / 2 Available Register  
Closes
03/18/2026
03/25/26
We - 5:30 pm
 2 / 2 Available Register  
Closes
03/25/2026

YMCA Lifeguard Certification v7

Eastside Family Y
5/12/26 - 5/23/26
VIEW

The Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test must be taken and successfully completed prior to registration for the YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course.

This course presents information on the skills and knowledge lifeguards need in pool environments. It 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.

Topics covered include safety skills, accident prevention, scanning, guarding techniques, emergency systems, rescue skills, first aid in aquatic environments, spinal injury management, legal responsibilities, pool maintenance basics, and information on how to get a job as a lifeguard.

Prerequisite courses through the YMCA of the USA include:

  • YMCA Lifeguard V7 Introduction
  • Lifeguard Safe In Six
  • BLS, Pediatric First Aid, Adult First Aid and Emergency Use of Medical Oxygen (authored by HSI)

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to registration for the YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course.  Estimated time to complete is 10 hours.

Participants must be at least 15 years of age by the end of the course.

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

Paying the course fee does not guarantee certification. All course requirements must be successfully completed.

**No cost for YMCA of Greater Erie Employees**


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MetroBranchNon-Member
Open Registration 3/23/26 5/5/26 Online / Front Desk $ 185.00$ 185.00$ 225.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
05/12/26 - 05/23/26
5:30-8:30p Tue/Wed/Thur (May 12,13,14,19,20,21); 5:30-8:30p Fri (May 22); 9a-4p Sat (May 23)
 Registration
Closed
Opens on 03/23/26

YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course

Glenwood Park
4/15/26 - 4/25/26
VIEW

The Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test must be taken and successfully completed prior to registration for the YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course.

This course presents information on the skills and knowledge lifeguards need in pool environments. It 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.

Topics covered include safety skills, accident prevention, scanning, guarding techniques, emergency systems, rescue skills, first aid in aquatic environments, spinal injury management, legal responsibilities, pool maintenance basics, and information on how to get a job as a lifeguard.

Prerequisite courses through the YMCA of the USA include:

  • YMCA Lifeguard V7 Introduction
  • Lifeguard Safe In Six
  • Pediatric First Aid, Adult First Aid and Emergency Use of Medical Oxygen (authored by HSI)

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to registration for the YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course.  Estimated time to complete is 10 hours.

Participants must be at least 15 years of age by the end of the course.

Participants ages 16 or older have an additional option to register for the Waterfront and or Water Park Skill Certifications.

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


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MetroBranchNon-Member
3/30/26 4/11/26 Online / Front Desk $ 185.00$ 185.00$ 225.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
04/15/26 - 04/25/26
April 15 5-9pm, April 18, 19 & 25 9-6pm
 Registration
Closed
Opens on 03/30/26