The Lifeguard Training Course

I recently attended a lifeguarding, CPR, and AED course run by a company called Sparkling Pools located in Hightstown NJ, the company teaches the complete Red Cross curriculum through the use of instructors and informative videos. Individuals who take the course must be a minimum of 15 years of age, and pay a $120 fee to take the course. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a certification in lifeguarding, CPR, and use of an AED. They also receive a whistle, shorts, t-shirt, manual, and a breathing barrier. The classes are broken up in several distinct portions.

In order to take the classes, students must first past a pre-test. During the pre-test, prospective lifeguards must first face an endurance test where they swim twelve laps with no breaks or time limit. The individual must swim four laps freestyle, four breaststroke, and personal preference for the final four. Furthermore, he is not allowed to stop at all, he must remain in motion throughout the entire test. After a short break, he must then swim 20 yards, retrieve a brick from the deep end, and return it on his chest in under 1:40.

Next, students are required to take two four hour courses in which they work towards their AED and CPR certification. During this portion of the class, they learn how to identify potential victims and treatment through rescue breathing, rescue breaths, abdominal thrusts, CPR, use of an AED, and more. After all instruction is complete, students participate in activities to practice their skills, and then take a written exam where they must receive an 80% or better on each section. They have two tries.

The next portion of the class focuses on specific lifeguarding skills during two five hour classes. During these classes, we learn skills ranging from splints, to treatment of cuts and burns, to various rescue methods. We also had our orientation during these classes. During orientation, we learn company procedure, and what is expected of us as lifeguards. After we practice certain skills during various activities, we take another test with the same requirements as before.

If students pass all their tests, they move onto the final portion of the class where we go into a pool to practice our skills. During two five hour classes, students are required to practice individual saves ranging from an distressed swimmer, to a passive drowning victim, to a patron with a head, neck, or back injury. The most difficult skill students must demonstrate is deepwater backboarding, a scenario in which lifeguards must retrieve a victim from underwater using a certain hold, and then put him on backboard.

At the end of the second day, the instructor gives prospects a scenario test where he assigns a random scenario, and the students must demonstrate a proper save. Once again, students have two tries to pass the test. The classes are long and tedious, yet they are a great training tool for lifeguards.