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Lifeguard Class in Kalamazoo County Michigan
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Lifeguard Class in Kalamazoo County Michigan runs as a blended course, with online coursework followed by in-person water skills sessions.
Lifeguard certification in Kalamazoo County, Michigan at a glance
Lifeguard certification in Kalamazoo County, Michigan starts at $195.00 and takes 7.5 online hours are followed by 2 days of in-person training. You must be at least 15 years old and swim 300 yards continuously to qualify.
- Cost
- $195.00 per participant to start, less for groups.
- Course length
- 7.5 online hours are followed by 2 days of in-person training.
- Minimum age
- Candidates need to be 15 by the closing day of class.
- Swim test
- Swim 300 continuous yards (front crawl and breaststroke), tread 2 minutes using legs only, then retrieve a 10-lb brick from 7 to 10 feet and swim it back inside 1 minute, 40 seconds.
- Certifications
- Lifeguarding, CPR and AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid.
- Valid for
- The card runs two years from the date of issue, and recertifying is a 10 hour in-person course.
- Format
- Blended: you complete the online portion independently, then attend skills sessions in Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
Booking a Lifeguard Class in Kalamazoo County Michigan takes a few minutes once you know what the course asks of you. Kalamazoo is the largest community in the county and the usual starting point for candidates. The fee is $195 for the full course and the certification that follows it.
Most people in the room are either starting their first guarding job or returning to one. Instruction covers CPR, AED, First Aid, surveillance, emergency response and rescue skills performed in the water. Locally that means sites such as Kalamazoo College Natatorium and Portage Northern Natatorium.
Classes run regularly, so the wait in Kalamazoo County is usually weeks rather than months. Online registration is all that is needed, along with a swimsuit and a towel on the day.
Locations for Lifeguard classes in Michigan
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- Lifeguard classes in Hillsdale County
- Lifeguard classes in Iron County
- Lifeguard classes in Isabella County
- Lifeguard classes in Jackson County
- Lifeguard classes in Kalkaska County
- Lifeguard classes in Kent County
- Lifeguard classes in Marquette County
- Lifeguard classes in Oakland County
- Lifeguard classes in St. Clair County
- See all 83 counties in Michigan
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How to register for your Kalamazoo County class
Choose your approved provider:
- American Aquatics and Safety Training
Registration is open. Seasonal demand fills places quickly, so book while dates remain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two years.
No. In-person skills evaluation is required.
They do. Kalamazoo County employers in Michigan recognise these certifications.
Applying is possible immediately on receipt of the digital certification card.
Where lifeguards work in Kalamazoo County
Public mapping records 9 named aquatic facilities in Kalamazoo County. Among the sites listed there are 7 public pools and swim clubs, 1 school or college pool and 1 community or club pool. Every recorded site in Kalamazoo County is a pool or aquatic center.
Aquatic facilities in Kalamazoo County
- Kalamazoo College Natatorium
- Portage Northern Natatorium
- The Oasis Hot Tub Gardens
- Pinewood Glen Pool
- Oakland Hills Pool
- Sage Terrace Pool
- Gabel Natatorium
- Kik Pool
- Parkview Hills Clubhouse outdoor pool
Listed for orientation only. American Aquatics and Safety Training is not affiliated with, and does not run classes at, the facilities above.
Counties near Kalamazoo County
Neighboring counties we also serve are listed below. The certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, so it holds good if you take work in any of them.
Lifeguard class in Kalamazoo County Michigan: common questions
Where can I take lifeguard training in Kalamazoo County, Michigan?
American Aquatics and Safety Training runs blended lifeguard certification for candidates across Kalamazoo County. The county's largest communities are Kalamazoo, Portage and Vicksburg, and most candidates travel from those areas for the in-water portion. Coursework is completed online first, then the rescue skills, CPR/AED and First Aid sessions are done in person with an instructor.
How much does lifeguard certification cost in Kalamazoo County?
The complete certification is $195.00 and bundles water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid together. If you only need one component renewed, CPR/AED alone is $25.00 and First Aid alone is $19.99.
Will I be guarding a pool or open water in Kalamazoo County?
Pools. No open-water venue is recorded in Kalamazoo County. Named sites in Kalamazoo County include Kalamazoo College Natatorium, Portage Northern Natatorium and The Oasis Hot Tub Gardens. Whether a certification is accepted for waterfront or surf positions depends on the employer and, in some states, on state rules, so check the posting before you apply. Surf beaches often run their own qualifying test.
How old do I need to be to become a lifeguard in Michigan?
Age 15 on the last day of class covers most pool jobs, and waterfront or beach positions usually need 16. Employers in Kalamazoo County can impose a higher floor, so look at the posting before you register.
What swim test do I have to pass?
Swim 300 yards continuously, tread water 2 minutes without arms, and retrieve a 10-pound brick from 7 to 10 feet, returning with it. The session opens with this, so plan to be in the water immediately.
Which communities in Kalamazoo County does training cover?
Candidates commonly travel from Kalamazoo (73,126 residents), Portage (49,302 residents) and Vicksburg (3,929 residents). Kalamazoo is the largest community in the county, and certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, so it stays valid if you take a job in a neighboring county or another state.
Facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Lifeguarding in Kalamazoo County: the local picture
About 262,215 people live in Kalamazoo County. That makes it the 9th most populated of the 83 counties in Michigan. At 467 people per square mile it is a mixed suburban county, where school, club and municipal pools carry most of the season.
Water covers 18 square miles of Kalamazoo County, 3.2% of its area. That ranks it 51st of 83 in the state for water area. With water that limited, almost all guarding here is pool based, which is the setting the standard certification covers.
The largest communities here are Kalamazoo (73,126), Portage (49,302), Vicksburg (3,929), Galesburg (2,059). Facilities in the larger of these usually recruit earliest, often before the season starts.
Aquatic sites recorded in Kalamazoo County
- School: Kalamazoo College Natatorium
- Pools: Portage Northern Natatorium, The Oasis Hot Tub Gardens, Pinewood Glen Pool, Oakland Hills Pool, Sage Terrace Pool, Gabel Natatorium
- Private: Parkview Hills Clubhouse outdoor pool
Candidates in Kalamazoo County often travel for a class date that fits. The nearest county pages are Allegan County, Barry County, Branch County, Calhoun County.
Price, entry requirements and format are county independent and live here: certification details, who pays for a class, refunds and rescheduling, and every area covered.
What students say
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What pools, beaches and aquatic facilities are in Kalamazoo County Michigan?
9 aquatic facilities are on record in Kalamazoo County Michigan:
- Kalamazoo College Natatorium (school)
- Portage Northern Natatorium (pool)
- The Oasis Hot Tub Gardens (pool)
- Pinewood Glen Pool (pool)
- Oakland Hills Pool (pool)
- Sage Terrace Pool (pool)
- Gabel Natatorium (pool)
- Kik Pool (pool)
- Parkview Hills Clubhouse outdoor pool (private club)
Facilities are listed to show the kind of aquatic sites operating locally. Listing does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, the operator.
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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