Defender Aquatics

AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING INSTRUCTOR COURSE (LGI)

Online Component Required?

Yes. This class is taught in a blended learning format and the assigned online session must be completed prior to the instructor-led session. The blended learning component includes skill lessons and skills demonstration videos and features adaptive learning, in which participants can test out of the online content they already know, allowing participants to ensure they are prepared.  The online session for the course takes approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes to complete.

Purpose/Overview:

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor course is to prepare individuals to teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses.  Course activities prepare instructor candidates to teach the course by developing their understanding of how to use course materials, how to conduct training sessions, and how to evaluate participants' progress.  The classroom sessions take approximately 22 hours to complete.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be 17 years old (by the last day of class)
• Must hold a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification
• Must bring a copy of the Lifeguard Instructor Manual to the in-person session

Pre-course Session Swimming Assessment/Skills Evaluation: (Failure to pass pre-course assessment will prevent continuation in the instructor course.)

• Swim-Tread-Swim: Swim 150 yards (front crawl/breaststroke), tread water for 2 minutes (legs only), then swim 50 yards (front crawl/breaststroke).
• Brick Dive: Swim 20 yards, dive 7–10 feet to retrieve a 10-lb brick, and swim it back to the starting side within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
• Skills Evaluation: Perform rescue skills with instructor-level precision, including passive submerged rescue, rapid extrication with an assisting rescuer, and single-rescuer CPR.

Requirements for Certification:

• Must participate in all class activities
• Must successfully demonstrate all water skills
• Must successfully demonstrate ability to teach assigned lessons/skills 
• Must pass the written test with a minimum 80% score

Certification(s) Earned and Validity Period(s):

1. Successful candidates earn the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certification, which is valid for 2 years from the course completion date.
2. Successful participants will also have the option to earn recertification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/ CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers/ First Aid, which is valid for 2 years from the course completion date.