American Red Cross Certification Courses

This two hour prep course gives participants an opportunity to practice the r.24 NEW American Red Cross Lifeguarding course prerequisites prior to enrolling in or attending a course. A lifeguard instructor provides coaching and tips for passing the two prerequisites. 

• Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest: Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards/3 laps using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 50 yards/1 lap using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed). 
• Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 min, 40 sec. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, submerge to a depth of 8-10 ft to retrieve brick, return to surface, swim 20 yards, exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Upon successful completion, candidate is certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (including Deep Water), CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid. Candidate must turn 15 by the last day of the course. 

• Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest: Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards/3 laps using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 50 yards/1 lap using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed). 
• Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 min, 40 sec. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, submerge to a depth of 8-10 ft to retrieve brick, return to surface, swim 20 yards, exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Upon successful completion, candidate is certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (including Deep Water), CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid. Candidate must turn 15 by the last day of the course. 

• Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest: Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards/3 laps using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 50 yards/1 lap using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed). 
• Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 min, 40 sec. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, submerge to a depth of 8-10 ft to retrieve brick, return to surface, swim 20 yards, exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

The purpose of the Waterfront Skills Module is to provide participants certified in Lifeguarding (Including deep water) with the knowledge and skills needed to: Prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps, and campgrounds. Waterfront Skills training is conducted and evaluated in a pool and/or waterfront in water depths ranging from 0 to 12 feet. 

• Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest. Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 350 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted, swim goggles are allowed). Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 200 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. 
• Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards (your face may be in or out of the water, swim goggles are not allowed). Submerge to a depth of 7 – 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. 
• Prerequisite 3: Complete an underwater swim. Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 – 7 feet of water. Resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards.

Upon successful completion, candidate is certified as an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI). The LGI course trains instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses including Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, and Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding. This class is taught in a blended learning format and the online portion (accessed via mobile desktop or tablet) must be completed prior to attending the first in-person session of the instructor course. Candidate must turn 17 by the last day of the course. Valid American Red Cross Lifeguarding (including deep water) certification required. Precourse assessment is completed on day 1: perform a passive submerged rescue, followed by extrication and single rescuer CPR for 3 minutes.

This in-person Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification course is the required course for all Lifeguarding Instructors and Instructor Trainers to recertify. During this course, Lifeguarding Instructors and Instructor Trainers will participate in an in-water practice and polish skills session with their peers as well as a classroom-based review of the Red Cross administrative policies and procedures. 

Candidate Eligibility Requirements: To participate in the Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification course, candidates must provide proof of a current (or expired by no more than 1 year) American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor or Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer certification. Instructors and instructor trainers whose certification was revoked or withdrawn for any reason are not eligible to participate.

NOTE: Basic-level LG recertification will be available during this course for an additional fee and additional time commitment of approximately 2.5 hours. Contact mborkovec@madison.k12.wi.us for more information or the registration link.

Upon successful completion, candidate is certified as an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI). The WSI Program is designed to train instructor candidates to teach courses and presentations in the Swimming and Water Safety program (Learn to Swim, Longfellow’s WHALE Tales, Preschool and Parent & Child Aquatics) by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, conduct training sessions, evaluate participants progress, and develop their understanding of fundamental teaching skills. Candidate must turn 15 by the last day of the course. Course prerequisites are completed on day 1 prior to the start of the course. 

Course prerequisites: Swim 25 yards each of front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke to a Level 4 standard. Swim 15 yards of butterfly to a Level 4 standard. Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling). Tread water for 1 minute.

CPR/AED recertification courses allow you to refresh your memory, renew your skills and stay up to date on the latest techniques. Designed for those whose credentials are still valid but near expiration, a recertification course takes less time than a standard CPR class, and allows you to maintain certification for an additional two years. For those working in pools in Wisconsin, due to recent changes in Wisconsin Pool Code, Chapter ATCP 76, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer must be recertified every year. 

The purpose of the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED (lay responder) program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies.

Eligibility criteria: There is no minimum age requirement to participate as long as the participant has sufficient physical strength to perform the necessary skills.

NOTE: This course does NOT fulfill the requirement for annual CPR certification for lifeguards mandated by Wisconsin Pool Code, Chapter ATCP 76. Please register for the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Recertification.