Aquatic First Responder Certification with CPR and First Aid for Beach Patrols

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American Lifeguard Water Safety Training

Aquatic First Responder Certification with CPR and First Aid for Beach Patrols

Welcome to the American Lifeguard Association® Certification Program. Please carefully review the information below for complete instructions on how to enroll in and complete your training.

The American Lifeguard and Safety Training™ program is offered nationwide throughout the year. Thanks to our flexible certification format, you can enroll at any time and progress at your own pace, completing your training in as little as a few days or over a weekend.

If you need assistance during your training, please email us at alalifeguard@aol.com. Our support team is available 24/7 to assist you in real time.

You must purchase our national training program before beginning. After reviewing the instructions below on how to complete the certification process, select “Add to Cart” to pay your registration fee and enroll.

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all national certification programs, so there is no reason not to start today.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is a national educational association fully supported by both the Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPSA) and Global Lifeguards, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Together, these organizations form part of the Global Lifeguard Association, one of the world’s largest aquatic safety consortiums.

Over the years, lifeguard certification has created specific legal responsibilities requiring certified individuals to respond during emergencies. Because of this duty to act, certified lifeguards are generally not covered under Good Samaritan Laws when they are working in that capacity.

As a result, many aquatic facilities, including pools, lakes, and beaches, may employ attendants who are not trained lifeguards. These individuals, often referred to as pool staff or beach staff, may assist guests with towels, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and general facility needs. However, they often have no formal emergency-response training, even though the public may assume they know CPR and lifesaving skills.

To address this important need, the American Lifeguard Association has developed a new area of certification. This program teaches many of the same essential skills that lifeguards learn, but because participants are not legally bound to respond in an emergency as lifeguards, their voluntary actions would typically be protected under Good Samaritan Laws if they choose to assist.

Many aquatic venues that do not require a lifeguard still have attendants on duty. Although these attendants may not be required to know emergency procedures, we believe it is in everyone’s best interest, for both staff and employers, that they receive proper training and certification.

You may take this program at any age. However, under U.S. labor laws, you must be at least 16 years old to be employed in this type of position.

This certification can help enhance job opportunities at aquatic facilities, offering a fun and rewarding seasonal or year-round position at some of the best locations worldwide while helping you better serve the public.

Steps to Complete Your American Lifeguard Association Program

Step 1: Review All Video Clips and Online Materials

Once registered, you will receive an email with links to our online training videos and the Lifeguard Manual, which includes CPR/AED and First Aid materials.

You must become familiar with these materials and be able to perform all demonstrated skills.

Step 2: Complete the Online Exam

After reviewing the materials and practicing the required skills, you must complete the final written exam online.

A passing score is 80% or higher.

You may review your materials at any time. There is no time limit for the exam, but it must be completed in one sitting. You cannot exit the exam and return later. If you leave the exam early, you must restart it.

You may retake the exam as many times as needed at no additional cost until you pass.

After passing, you will receive a full printout of your score, along with the correct answers to any missed questions. Please review these results carefully to ensure full understanding of the material.

Step 3: Receive Confirmation and National Verification

You will receive an email confirming your successful completion of the program. Your records will then be entered into our national verification system on the same day.

This system allows employers and health department officials to verify your certification instantly.

Once you receive your confirmation email, please print a copy of your certification. A complimentary waterproof, wallet-size certification card will also be mailed to you on the next business day.

Program Purpose

The purpose of the ALA training program is to equip candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.

As with all certifications, employers must ensure that each candidate possesses the skills, knowledge, and qualifications appropriate for the position.

All ALA programs require participants to practice their skills in the water. Upon successful completion, participants will earn certification in:

Aquatic First Responder
First Aid
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

In accordance with new national standards, all certifications are valid for two years from the date of completion.

We encourage you to consult your healthcare provider before participating in any practice sessions. If you have a medical condition or disability that may limit your participation, please contact us by email before beginning the course so that we can make any necessary accommodations.

About the Aquatic First Responder Program

Aquatic First Responders play a vital role in maintaining safe aquatic environments. Unlike most professional rescuers, their primary responsibility is prevention: reducing the likelihood of emergencies before they occur.

This program emphasizes injury prevention, proper surveillance techniques, and effective victim recognition to promote safety in all aquatic settings.

Participants in the Aquatic First Responder course will review the following skills.

Swimming Skills

If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, you should be able to pass the swimming test portion of the Aquatic First Responder certification requirements.

Can you swim 500 yards without stopping using the front crawl, also known as freestyle?

Can you pass a test in which you retrieve a weight from a depth of 7 feet within the 1 minute and 40 second time limit?

This test begins with you in the water. You must swim or walk 20 yards, then retrieve a 10-pound weight from 7 feet below the water’s surface. Once the weight is retrieved, you must swim or walk back to the point where you started, a distance of 20 yards.

Rescue Skills

The program covers the following rescue skills:

Slide-In Entry
Stride and Compact Jumps
Rescue Approach — Front Crawl or Breaststroke
Simple Assist
Extension Assist from the Deck
Reaching Assist with Equipment and Throwing Assist
Swimming Extension Rescue
Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rear Rescue
Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard
Passive Submerged Victim — Shallow Water
Multiple-Victim Rescue
Feet-First Surface Dive
Submerged Victim — Shallow Water
Front and Rear Head-Hold Escape

Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injury Skills

The program covers the following head, neck, and back injury skills:

Manual In-Line Stabilization for a Head, Neck, or Back Injury on Land — Lying Down, Sitting, or Standing
Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land
Head Splint Technique — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head Splint Technique — Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head and Chin Support — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head and Chin Support — Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head Splint Technique — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head Splint Technique — Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head and Chin Support — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Stabilization for a Submerged Victim — Face-Up, Face-Down, or on One Side
Using a Backboard in Shallow Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

The program covers the following CPR/AED skills:

Removing Gloves
Initial Assessment
Rescue Breathing — Adult, Child, and Infant
Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator — Two Rescuers
Conscious Choking — Adult, Child, and Infant
Unconscious Choking — Adult, Child, and Infant
CPR — Adult, Child, and Infant
Two-Rescuer CPR — Adult, Child, and Infant
Using an AED — Adult and Child

First Aid Skills

The program covers the following First Aid skills:

Secondary Assessment
Controlling External Bleeding
Applying a Sling and Binder
Applying an Anatomic Splint
Applying a Soft Splint

Skill Scenarios to Be Able to Demonstrate

The program includes the following final skill scenarios:

Final Skill Scenario 1 — Active Drowning Victim
Final Skill Scenario 2 — Submerged Passive Drowning Victim
Final Skill Scenario 3 — Head, Neck, or Back Injury

Please note that there are several ways to care for a spinal injury in the water. In this scenario, the victim will be face down, and the student will need to rotate the victim face up using their choice of the appropriate rescue techniques for this purpose.

National standards require employers to test each candidate to ensure the candidate possesses the required skills. Employers should also continue staff training through in-service programs to help increase and maintain ability levels.

At any time during employment, a staff member should be able to demonstrate their skills to show proficiency. Therefore, even after completing our program, it is important that you continue practicing your skills and working to improve them.

There is nothing more important than learning how to save a life, and nothing more rewarding than knowing you did all the right things when saving a life. Practice makes perfect. Being alert, professional, and prepared can help save lives.

American Lifeguard and Safety Training™

American Lifeguard and Safety Training™ is a trademark of the American Lifeguard Association® health and safety courses.

The American Lifeguard Association has been offering lifeguard training for more than 35 years and has trained more than 250,000 individuals worldwide. The U.S. Department of Labor has determined that our lifeguard programs are equivalent to the American Red Cross training program.

If you have any questions about the registration process or experience any problems completing the program, please email us at alalifeguard@aol.com. We monitor incoming emails 24/7 and normally respond to inquiries within just a few minutes.

You may read more by visiting our home page at https://americanlifeguard.com.

Terms and Conditions

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all national certification programs. Simply email us at alalifeguard@aol.com within 30 days of your registration, and a full refund will be issued the same day.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold our processors and us harmless from and against any and all claims that arise out of or relate to your training.

First-Time Lifeguard Certification and Training with First Aid and CPR/AED

Save $100 Today with a Special Grant

The American Lifeguard Association® is pleased to announce that we have secured a national grant for 2026 to lower our lifeguard and safety training fees. These funds will be available until they are exhausted.

The current price reflects a special $100 discount due to the grant we received. Our regular price is $385, and the grant reduces the price to $285. Funds are limited, so register today to ensure you can take advantage of the grant.

Our video instructor-led course allows individuals to become trained and certified in lifeguarding without waiting for a group class. Upon completing the online components of the program, you will receive a two-year certification in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid.

If you need assistance during your training, we are available 24/7 in real time at alalifeguard@aol.com.

After finishing the course, your certification records will be uploaded to the National Verification System, enabling employers and health department officials to verify your credentials easily.

Employer-Based Skills Evaluation and National Standards

The American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training and certification program requires employers to adhere to the standards outlined by the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC).

In accordance with these national standards, employers must conduct both pre-service and in-service training evaluations. Practical competency is addressed within the aquatics environment through employer-based pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service procedures established to meet CDC Model Aquatic Health Code requirements.

This approach helps ensure that training meets national benchmarks while preparing candidates for effective prevention and response to aquatic emergencies.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association has the support of Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, both 501(c)(3) nonprofit associations that oversee beaches and swimming pools.

ALA works directly with employers nationwide to help train lifeguard professionals. The primary purpose of ALA is to reduce drownings and help keep swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer.

Our lifeguard course incorporates the latest ECC science and guidelines from the United States Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition.

Click “ADD TO CART” at the top of the page to register.

National Recognition and Government Support

The American Lifeguard Association has been recognized for its long-standing commitment to national safety standards.

Over the years, ALA has been listed on the CDC Healthy Swimming website, and both the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) have confirmed that ALA’s lifeguard certification programs are equivalent to those offered by the American Red Cross.

Since the early 1990s, our training programs have consistently met the requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor, serving as the federal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), has officially recognized that the American Lifeguard Association meets national standards for lifeguard training and certification.

Our programs meet national requirements in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, and are widely used in both public facilities and federally managed programs.

The American Lifeguard Association is proud to be among a select group of national training organizations recognized by the United States Government for meeting these federal requirements.

In addition, recently on April 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued VHA Directive 1040, which formally lists the American Lifeguard Association as an approved provider of lifeguard certification.

What the Program Provides

Our program equips entry-level participants with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to prevent, identify, and respond to aquatic emergencies.

Participants also learn to provide care for breathing and cardiac events, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services arrive.

Participants who successfully complete the lifeguarding course receive an American Lifeguard certificate for Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.

Course Prerequisites

To take the Lifeguarding course, participants must be at least 15 years of age.

Participants must be able to complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

Jump into the water, totally submerge, resurface, and swim 150 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, with no arms.
Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.

Participants must also complete the Brick Test in 1 minute and 40 seconds:

Swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7 feet, retrieve a 10-pound brick from the bottom of the pool, return to the surface, swim on the back while holding the brick to the starting position, and exit the water. Swim goggles are not allowed for this skill.

30-Day Price Match Guarantee

We owe our success to you, our members, and we know that price is a critical concern. We want you to feel confident choosing the American Lifeguard Association at the lowest available price.

Even though we routinely monitor competitors to ensure our prices are competitive, if you find a lower price within 30 days of your registration for any training we offer within the county where you live, and that training is being conducted within 30 days of your registration at your local park authority, community pool, school, or university, we will match it.

We must be able to verify the lower price through a valid website. Lower prices that cannot be confirmed will not be honored.

The training cannot be offered by an employer with whom you are required to register for employment purposes, as this may result in reduced pay connected to the lower-priced course. Additionally, the class must currently be open for registration and not already filled.

To take advantage of this offer, simply email us at alalifeguard@aol.com anytime within 30 days of your initial registration. Include the website, link, or advertisement where you found the better price.

Once the lower price and source are confirmed, the American Lifeguard Association will immediately refund the difference.

30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

Your satisfaction is our priority. That is why we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

If our training does not meet your expectations, simply email us at alalifeguard@aol.com within 30 days of your registration. We will process your refund on the same day.

American Lifeguard Association in the News

The American Lifeguard Association promotes the safe and enjoyable use of aquatic environments through public service announcements and national news media interviews.

The Association’s opinions and viewpoints have been aired numerous times over the decades on network shows such as the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America, The Doctors, and The Weather Channel. ALA has also worked with national news networks including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.

To learn more about the Association and read the latest news stories regarding the American Lifeguard Association’s nationwide efforts in the lifesaving profession, please select American Lifeguard Association News.

American Lifeguard and Safety Training™

American Lifeguard and Safety Training™ is a trademark of the American Lifeguard Association’s health and safety courses.

The American Lifeguard Association is one of the top associations specializing in training and certifying candidates in the American aquatics and safety training profession.

American Lifeguard and Safety Training™ is a critical service supported by employers and government agencies nationwide.

With our program, you can become certified at your own pace and join more than 25,000 active lifeguard members across the USA.

The training can be completed on your own and at your own pace. The program is also eligible for 29 hours of Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and college elective credits.

Facility Skill Verification and Employer Responsibilities

With the introduction of new national standards, all facilities must develop methods to verify and maintain adequate skill competency for all lifeguards. This includes new, returning, seasonal, and current lifeguards.

Required certifications and pre-employment tests can contribute to this process, but they do not eliminate the need for on-site orientation and in-service training.

By following these protocols, employers help satisfy the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Good Faith Efforts.

The national standards also state that screening tests should not be so strict that they exclude lifeguard candidates whose skills may not be as strong initially, but whose dedication and personal characteristics could make them better lifeguards than individuals who may simply swim faster.

National Lifeguard Training and Certification Program

Please see below for the information and steps needed to complete our national lifeguard training and certification program.

With our lifeguard training program, you do not have to wait for a group class. Our national self-study programs can be taken anywhere and practiced by individuals, schools, universities, and community pools in the United States and abroad.

The American Lifeguard Association® is one of only a few national certifying agencies for lifeguards

The American Lifeguard Association is a national educational association with the full support of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association and Global Lifeguards, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

These organizations are members of the Global Lifeguard Association, one of the largest worldwide aquatic consortiums, which has trained more than 250,000 certified lifeguards over the past 35 years.

To enroll in the Lifeguarding course, participants may be of any age. However, U.S. labor laws require individuals to be 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, water park, or lake, and 16 years or older to work at beaches.

Our programs may be eligible for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and college elective credits. Upon completion, we suggest that you contact your school or university for further details and eligibility.

Steps to Complete the ALA Program

Step 1: Review All Instructor-Led Training Videos and Online Materials

Once you register, you will receive links to our online training videos and an online lifeguard manual. These materials cover various skills and techniques associated with CPR/AED and First Aid.

You must become familiar with the materials and be able to perform the skills shown.

All ALA programs require participants to practice and demonstrate their skills both in and out of the water. A full list of swimming, rescue, CPR/AED, First Aid, and emergency response skills is provided below.

Upon completing this step, participants obtain a Deep-Water Lifeguard certification titled Professional Lifeguard, along with First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

Under the new national standards, the certificate is valid for two years from the completion date.

Step 2: Complete the Online Final Exam

After reviewing the training videos and online materials, and once you are able to accomplish the required skills, you will go online and take the final written exam.

Successful completion of the final exam requires a score of 80% or higher.

You may review your online materials at any time if needed. There is no time limit for taking the exam. However, the exam must be completed in one sitting. You cannot leave the exam and return to where you left off. If you leave the exam, you will need to start it over and continue until it is completed.

If you do not receive a passing grade, you may retake the exam until you pass at no additional cost.

Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive a full printout of your exam score, along with the correct answers to any questions you may have answered incorrectly. We require that you review your exam results to help ensure you understand the correct answers.

Upon completion, you will receive certification in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, valid for two years from the date issued.

The purpose of the ALA training program is to teach candidates the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.

Step 3: Receive Confirmation and National Verification

You will receive an email confirming your successful completion of the program. Your records will be placed in the National Verification System the same day you complete the final exam.

You will receive a Deep-Water Lifeguard certification titled Professional Lifeguard, along with First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

The verification system allows validated certification records to be viewed by employers and health department officials.

We request that you print a copy of your American Lifeguard Association certification once you receive the official email. A waterproof, wallet-size certification card will also be mailed to you the next business day.

Employee Orientation

An orientation session about facility operations and responsibilities helps lifeguards understand the facility, their responsibilities, and management’s expectations.

Orientation is critical because every aquatic facility is different. It helps you learn what is unique about your workplace.

Ask your employer questions about your facility and become completely familiar with your facility’s operations.

The employer is responsible for ensuring that each lifeguard candidate has all the skills and knowledge necessary for the position being considered. The employer must also ensure that the candidate meets all physical and other requirements before starting employment.

Your employer should evaluate your current skill level. Your employer may also have you participate in rescue scenarios to ensure that you understand your team’s responsibilities and are familiar with your facility’s layout and equipment.

Continue With In-Service Training Through Your Employer

Earning a lifeguarding certification means you completed a training course on a specific date. It does not mean you have learned everything there is to know about lifeguarding.

Once hired as a lifeguard, you should expect to continue your training.

Employers must adhere to the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) guidelines, which require both pre-service evaluations and continuous in-service training.

To enroll in the program, click the ADD TO CART button at the top of the page. Once you register and pay, we will email you full instructions on how to complete the program.

Skills Covered in the Program

Swimming Skills

If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, you should be able to pass the swimming test portion of the lifeguard certification requirements.

Can you swim 300 yards without stopping using the following three strokes in this order and with proper form?

Front crawl, also known as freestyle, for 100 yards
Breaststroke for 100 yards
Either front crawl or breaststroke for the final 100 yards

Can you retrieve a weight from the bottom of the pool within a time limit of 1 minute and 40 seconds?

Beginning in the water, you must swim 20 yards using either the front crawl or breaststroke. You must then complete a surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound weight located 7 to 10 feet below the surface.

Once the weight is retrieved, you must swim back to the starting point, a distance of 20 yards, and exit the pool without using steps or a ladder.

Rescue Skills

The program covers the following rescue skills:

Slide-In Entry
Stride and Compact Jumps
Rescue Approach — Front Crawl or Breaststroke
Simple Assist
Extension Assist from the Deck
Reaching Assist with Equipment and Throwing Assist
Swimming Extension Rescue
Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rear Rescue
Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard
Passive Submerged Victim — Shallow Water
Submerged Victim — Deep Water
Multiple-Victim Rescue
Feet-First Surface Dive
Front and Rear Head-Hold Escape

Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injury Skills

The program covers the following head, neck, and back injury skills:

Manual In-Line Stabilization for a Head, Neck, or Back Injury on Land — Lying Down, Sitting, or Standing
Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land
Head Splint Technique — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head Splint Technique — Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head Splint Technique — Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
Head Splint Technique — Face-Down Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
Head and Chin Support — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head and Chin Support — Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
Head and Chin Support — Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
Head and Chin Support — Face-Down Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
Stabilization for a Submerged Victim — Face-Up, Face-Down, or on One Side in Deep Water
Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

The program covers the following CPR/AED skills:

Removing Gloves
Initial Assessment
Rescue Breathing — Adult, Child, and Infant
Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator — Two Rescuers
Conscious Choking — Adult, Child, and Infant
Unconscious Choking — Adult, Child, and Infant
CPR — Adult, Child, and Infant
Two-Rescuer CPR — Adult, Child, and Infant
Using an AED — Adult and Child

First Aid Skills

The program covers the following First Aid skills:

Secondary Assessment
Controlling External Bleeding
Applying a Sling and Binder
Applying an Anatomic Splint
Applying a Soft Splint

Skill Scenarios

The program includes the following final skill scenarios:

Final Skill Scenario 1 — Active Drowning Victim
Final Skill Scenario 2 — Submerged Passive Drowning Victim
Final Skill Scenario 3 — Head, Neck, or Back Injury

Continued Practice and Employer Testing

At any time during employment, a staff member should be able to demonstrate their skills to show proficiency. Therefore, even after completing our program, you must continue practicing your skills and working to improve them.

There is nothing more important than learning how to save a life, and nothing more rewarding than knowing you did it the right way. ALA has helped save tens of thousands of lives over the past quarter of a century.

Learn to be alert. Be professional. Save lives the right way.

Get certified now and start saving lives.

Federal Standards and Recognition

The U.S. Department of Labor, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, sets eligibility and establishes national standards for lifeguard training and certification across the country. The Department of Labor serves as the federal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

The U.S. Department of Labor has determined that the American Lifeguard Association meets these laws and regulations and offers lifeguard certification programs similar to those provided by the American Red Cross.

The American Lifeguard Association is one of a handful of national training entities listed by the United States Government as meeting these federal requirements.

With this said, the American Lifeguard Association meets national lifeguard training and certification requirements for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution provides that federal law is the “supreme law of the land.” Federal regulations, including United States Department of Labor requirements regarding lifeguard training and certification, take precedence over conflicting state laws.

Preemption applies regardless of whether the conflicting laws come from state legislatures, courts, administrative agencies, or state constitutions.

To enroll in the program, click the ADD TO CART button at the top of the page. You can complete the certification program right away or at any time in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for lifeguard certification and training?

You can register for our lifeguard certification by clicking the ADD TO CART button at the top of this page.

Once you complete your registration, you will receive immediate access to the online training materials and can start your lifeguard training right away.

We are available 24/7 in real time to assist you if you have questions or need help with the program.

What does the lifeguard training program include?

Our lifeguard course includes certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED.

The program covers swimming skills, rescue techniques, CPR/AED, and First Aid procedures. It follows the latest national standards for lifeguard certification and training, helping ensure you are well prepared to respond to emergencies.

How long is my lifeguard certification valid?

Once you complete the lifeguard certification program, your certification is valid for two years.

You will be required to take a lifeguard recertification course to renew your credentials.

Can I take lifeguard certification classes near me?

Yes. Our lifeguard training programs are available nationwide.

The American Lifeguard Association offers lifeguard classes and lifeguard courses for individuals, schools, and community pools. You can start and complete your training at your convenience.

Are there any prerequisites for the lifeguard course?

Yes. The prerequisites include being at least 15 years old, swimming 300 yards continuously, treading water for 2 minutes, and completing a timed rescue event.

These prerequisites help ensure that participants are ready for lifeguard training and certification.

Can I complete the lifeguard course online?

Yes. Our lifeguard certification classes can be completed through video-led instruction and comprehensive manuals. This allows you to train at your own pace without waiting for a group class.

Our national blended program is designed to allow employers to assess your skills while promoting continuous practice and improvement through in-service training. By combining the convenience of online instruction with practical application overseen by employers, the program supports real-world experience under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Practical competency is addressed within the aquatics environment through employer-based pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service procedures established to meet CDC Model Aquatic Health Code requirements. These are national standards set by the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code and help ensure candidates receive strong preparation for aquatic emergency prevention and response.

How do I recertify my lifeguard certification?

Our lifeguard recertification program is available to all previously certified individuals.

You can take the lifeguard recertification course online. The course reviews key skills and includes an exam to renew your lifeguard certificate.

What is the cost of the lifeguard certification program?

Thanks to a special grant, our lifeguard certification program is currently available at the discounted rate of $285, reduced from the original price of $385.

This price includes training for Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, with a lifeguard certificate valid for two years.

What happens if I do not pass the lifeguard course on my first attempt?

If you do not pass the lifeguard course exam on your first attempt, you can retake it at no additional cost.

We want you to succeed and feel confident in your lifeguard training.

Where can I take lifeguard classes near me?

Our lifeguard certification programs are available nationwide.

You can register for lifeguard courses and lifeguard training at any time and complete the course from anywhere.

Is the lifeguard certification recognized in all 50 states?

Yes. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor, as the federal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), has determined that the American Lifeguard Association meets national standards for lifeguard training and certification.

The American Lifeguard Association is among a select group of national training entities recognized by the United States Government as meeting these federal requirements. Consequently, the American Lifeguard Association fulfills national requirements for lifeguard training and certification in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

Is online lifeguard certification valid internationally?

Yes. Lifeguard certification through recognized organizations such as the American Lifeguard Association and the American Red Cross is valid internationally.

How do I ensure my lifeguard skills remain sharp after certification?

Employers are required to provide both pre-service and continuous in-service training to ensure lifeguards have the required skills.

Regular practice and ongoing evaluations are key to maintaining proficiency after lifeguard certification, as required by the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC).

How do I register for a lifeguard recertification course?

You can register for our lifeguard recertification course by visiting our website and selecting the Recertification option.

Simply click ADD TO CART to complete your registration. Once registered, you will receive immediate access to the online materials to begin your recertification training.

We are available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or guidance throughout the process.

Learn More

Learn more at https://americanlifeguard.com/.

If you have any questions or need assistance at any point in the program, please email us at alalifeguard@aol.com.

We pride ourselves on offering the best customer service in the profession, monitoring incoming messages 24/7 and responding in real time or within just a few minutes.

Available Nationwide

The American Lifeguard Association provides lifeguard training and certification throughout the United States, including:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Click “ADD TO CART” at the top of the page to register.