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Lifeguard Training Class

Last updated July 26, 2026

A lifeguard training class teaches water rescue, CPR/AED for the professional rescuer and first aid, then tests them in the water. Certification lasts two years and qualifies you for pool, camp and waterpark jobs.

Enroll in a Certified Lifeguard Training Class

Training to become a certified lifeguard is a rewarding and valuable experience. There is much that you will learn during lifeguard training, along with essential skills that you will practice along the way. Lifeguard training is useful – not only to become certified and be able to work as a lifeguard, but also as an essential skill set in life. Lifeguard training includes several components, such as:

Swim and rescue skills - the lifeguard trainee will learn swim and rescue skills, from the proper ways to enter the water in an emergency to safely retrieving someone from the bottom of the pool. Whether you are on the job or swimming with friends, lifeguard swim and rescue skills are important skills to possess.
First Aid - during lifeguard training, you will learn to deal with wounds and illnesses, ranging from breaks and scrapes to strokes and seizures. Accidents and illnesses can happen anywhere, and your ability to deal with a medical emergency will assist you when at work as a lifeguard, as well as at home and play.
CPR/AED - the lifeguard training program includes CPR and AED training, to assist the victim in a cardiac emergency. Cardiac emergencies are severe and life-threatening wherever and whenever they occur, so your lifeguard training will prepare you to potentially save lives - whether they are at the pool, home or work.

Where Can I Work as a Lifeguard?

Certified lifeguards are needed in many locations, so your participation in our lifeguard certification program will assist you in getting a job at many places in a variety of positions. Certified lifeguards are employed at:

Swimming pools - both outdoor seasonal pools as well as indoor pools in residential building require lifeguards to be present and offer plenty of job opportunities.
Beaches - due to long stretches of shoreline, many lifeguards are needed to supervise the beaches - both public and private - during the warmer months.
Aquatic facilities - from smaller swim instruction facilities to larger Olympic sized venues, swim facilities require lifeguards year round.
Hotels and Resorts - all around the country, hotels and resorts need lifeguards to monitor their pool areas, both in the cities, near airports or in resort areas.
Water Parks - water parks are generally large with many water attractions and require a large number of lifeguards to supervise their guests.
Camps - both day camps and sleep-away camps need lifeguards who will monitor the water for their campers, and such camps are located nearby as well as in rural locations.
Health clubs and spas - health clubs and spas often have swimming facilities and need a lifeguard present to protect the safety of their guests.
Cruise ships - cruise ships generally have multiple swimming areas, often with attached water parks, and need lifeguards to monitor the guests and swimmers safely.

Lifeguards must be trained to handle all emergencies that can occur at a swimming facility, including water rescues, first aid, and CPR. As a part of the complete lifeguard certification program, the student will study and practice techniques ranging from rescuing an unconscious person from a pool to checking for breathing and pulse and administering rescue breathing and CPR. As a lifeguard, a person must be prepared and trained for a variety of accidents and illnesses that can occur at a swimming facility. If you want an ultimate guide to lifeguard classes, go here.
How else can Lifeguard training help?

Lifeguard training can help the student in many ways, including

Confidence - Knowing that one is skilled and trained in rescuing distressed and drowning swimmers and administering first aid and CPR when needed can build confidence and empower the student in many other areas of life.
Resume - When applying to jobs in the future, one will have a resume including past experiences, skills, and certifications. Adding “Lifeguard certified” to a resume or job application - which includes CPR certification - will find potential employers more interested in hiring, as the applicant would be a valuable member of any team or workplace.
Skills - Of course, the primary reason for taking lifeguard training is so that one will be skilled in rescuing swimmers in an emergency and administering first aid or CPR as needed to save lives.

Enrolling in our lifeguard certification program can be the first step towards a fun and fulfilling job at a variety of locations and venues. In addition to working with people having fun at a recreational site, being a lifeguard is personally fulfilling as you realize the valuable skills you possess in helping guests to stay safe in their recreation.

What is Learned in Lifeguard Training?

Lifeguard training covers many interesting topics, and students will be learning about water safety, rescue techniques, the human body, dealing with accidents and sudden illnesses which may occur. Some of the topics to be covered include:

How to quickly and safely enter a pool to rescue a distressed swimmer - whether they are conscious or unconscious at the time.
The functions of different types of rescue equipment, and how to use them effectively.
What to do about wounds, from burns and punctures to bleeding and amputations.
Identifying sudden illnesses - such as diabetic emergencies, shock or stroke - and knowing what to do to give the victim the help s/he needs.
The symptoms of a heart attack - and how they differ for men and women.
Assisting a person who is choking, whether it is an infant or an adult.

The student will be trained to assist with emergencies ranging from drug use to anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest to drowning. No one ever wants to have to rescue a drowning victim – as it would be far better if accidents and illnesses never occurred. However, they will happen, and training in rescue techniques, first aid and CPR could potentially save a person’s life.

Lifeguard Certification Requirements at a Glance

Lifeguard training will teach many things - facts others may not know. For example:

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Accreditation

In addition, American Aquatics and Safety Training is approved by the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC), which is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CMAHC develops science-based standards for aquatic health and safety, helping set national guidelines for drowning prevention, waterborne disease control, and risk reduction in pools and aquatic facilities.

Being CMAHC-approved means that our lifeguard training programs follow evidence-based best practices that align with CDC recommendations. This approval provides an extra layer of trust and assurance for organizations, employers, and individuals who choose our lifeguard certification and safety training.

Lifeguard training by country

We also run lifeguard and water safety training outside the United States. Choose a country to see what the course covers there.

Reviewed by Jackie Stern, Lifeguard Instructor, Firefighter and EMT. Jackie Stern has taught lifeguarding for more than 20 years and works as a firefighter, EMT and swim instructor. She reviews course content, prerequisites and rescue standards against current certification requirements.

About Us

We are a nonprofit that trains and certifies in Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding, Junior Lifeguarding, Shallow Pool Lifeguarding, Sexual Harassment Training, CPR/AED, CPR for Lifeguards, First Aid Emergency Oxygen, and swimming lessons.

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admin@lifeguardandsafetytraining.com

(800) 670-3391