Lifeguard Certification

Lifeguard course information flyer

Provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.

Successfully passing the course results in Red Cross Professional Rescuer certification in lifeguarding, first aid, CPR, and AED. Certificate is valid for 2 years. Participants MUST attend all classes/skill trainings and successfully complete the final written tests and skills tests to become certified. There are no make-ups for missed classes. This is a blended learning course, including an online portion which must be completed prior to the start of Session 1.

All candidates must be at least 15 years old as of May 17th, 2026 and pass a swim test. Failure to pass the swim test will result in immediate removal from the course and refund of 80% of fees. Passing the swim test requires all of the following:

• Swim 150 yards continuously without stopping. (Goggles may be used.)
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
• Complete this timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds: starting in the water, swim 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of between 7 and 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back, keeping both hands on the object, to return to the starting point, then exit the water without using steps or a ladder. (Goggles must NOT be used.)

Note that passing the swim test does not, on its own, result in certification, but it allows the candidate to continue the course toward achieving certification.

Location

Raritan Bay Area YMCA (note that this is NOT Raritan Valley YMCA)
357 New Brunswick Ave., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

Session Dates and Times

• Online portion: to be completed on your own time before the start of the in-person course.
• Saturday, May 16th, 11:30am to 3:00pm
• Sunday, May 17th, 7am to 3:00pm.

Passing the class

Achieving lifeguard certification requires the following:

• Completing the online course.
• Passing the swim skills pre-test.
• Attending all in-person sessions and successfully executing all skills taught.
• Passing the final in-water physical scenarios, and a written final test with a score of at least 80%.

Successful candidates will receive certificates for Red Cross lifeguarding, first aid, and CPR/AED for professional rescuers. Certificate is valid for 2 years starting May 17th, 2026.