Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow started the American Red Cross Life Saving Corps in 1914 in order to reduce the number of lives lost as a result of drowning. Today, the Red Cross continues to offer the highest quality of training standards and program materials.

Lifeguard candidates must be at least 15 years old and demonstrate strong swimming skills. Course participants learn what it takes to be a professional lifeguard:

• Job responsibilities
• Patron surveillance skills
• Rescue skills
• First Aid and CPR/AED skills

The Red Cross has developed four stand-alone courses to meet your needs:

• Lifeguarding – for traditional facilities and pools
• Waterfront Lifeguarding – for non-surf, open-water environments such as lakes, rivers, as well as traditional pools
• Waterpark Lifeguarding – for waterpark environments, multi-attraction facilities and traditional pools
• Shallow Water Attendant – for facilities with water attractions up to 4 feet deep such as catch basins at the foot of slides, winding rivers and kiddie pools