YMCA of Greater Erie

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.

Lifeguard Certification

Branch: Eastside Family Y

Dates: 5/17/24 - 5/26/24

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.

Course dates and times:

Friday, May 17 5:30-8:30pm

Monday, May 20 5:30-8:30pm

Wednesday, May 22 5:30-8:30pm

Thursday, May 23 5:30-8:30pm

Saturday, May 25 9-4pm

Sunday, May 26 9-4pm

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	Metro	Branch	Non-Member
Open Registration	5/6/24	5/10/24	Online / Front Desk	$ 185.00	$ 185.00	$ 225.00

Available Sessions

	Date(s)	Spots Available
	05/17/24 - 05/26/24 Su,Mo,We,Th,Fr,Sa	8 / 8 Available	Registration Closed Opens on 05/06/24

Lifeguard Prerequisite Swim

Branch: Eastside Family Y

Dates: 5/1/24 - 5/8/24

VIEW

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

The Prerequisite Swim Test consists of 3 phases. Each phase must be successfully completed to advance to the next phase.
Phase 1: Tread water 2 minute, swim 100 yards front crawl
Phase 2: Swim 50 yards of the following strokes: front crawl with head up, sidestroke, breaststroke, breaststroke with head up, inverted breaststroke kick with hands on the chest, preform a feet first surface dive and swim under water 5 yards
Phase 3: Sprint 20 yards, perform an arm-over-arm surface dive to obtain an object from the bottom of the pool, tread water holding the object for 1 minute (legs only), return object to the bottom, climb out of the pool and immediately begin 100 compressions on a manikin, stand and listen to directions from the instructor.

Registration Information

	Open	Close	Register At	Metro	Branch	Non-Member
Open Registration	4/23/24	5/8/24	Online / Front Desk	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00

Available Sessions

	Date(s)	Spots Available
	05/01/24 We - 6:00 pm - 30 mins	2 / 2 Available	Register
	05/08/24 We - 6:00 pm - 30 mins	2 / 2 Available	Register

OUR MISSION

At the YMCA of Greater Erie, we put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The YMCA of Greater Erie is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.