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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.
Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test
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.
Phase 1: Continuous Swim for 350 Yards
- 100 yards of front crawl
- 100 yards of breaststroke
- 50 front crawl with head up
- 50 breaststroke with the head up
- 50 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 | Metro | Branch | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/31/25 | 1/23/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
01/12/26 - 01/23/26
|
Registration will open on 01/12/2026 |
Prerequisite Swim Skill Development
Join our Lifeguard Instructor for water skill development and conditioning prior to completing the Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim Test. This will allow you to work on your strokes and refresh your endurance.
Attendance does not guarantee passing the Prerequisite Swim Test or Lifeguard Certification Course.
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 of front crawl
- 100 yards of breaststroke
- 50 front crawl with head up
- 50 breaststroke with the head up
- 50 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 | Metro | Branch | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/22/25 | 1/12/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
01/13/26 - 01/22/26
Tu,Th - 6:30 pm - 30 mins
|
8 / 10 Available |
Register Closes 01/12/2026 |
YMCA Lifeguard V7 Certification Course
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.
All course dates must be attended. Make up classes are not available.
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Metro | Branch | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/22/25 | 1/23/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 185.00 | $ 185.00 | $ 225.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
01/31/26 - 02/07/26
Saturdays & Sunday Jan. 31, Feb. 1 & 7 9-6pm
|
Register Closes 01/23/2026 |