Lifeguard Certification & Training

Become a certified lifeguard! Participants must be at least 15 years of age and must swim 150 yards without stopping, immediately tread water for 2 minutes using only legs, and then finish with another 50 yard swim. All swimming must be either front crawl or breaststroke. Participants must also complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

Participants who successfully complete the course will earn an American Red Cross Certification in Lifeguarding. Registration fee does not include a printed copy of the lifeguard manual. (Digital copy available with registration via Red Cross)

Blended Learning Courses:

Blended learning meets a total of two class days and requires 7 hours of computer work prior to attending class. This class includes water skill components and upon completion will receive a Red Cross Lifeguard Certification.

AVAILABLE CLASS DATES:

  • Feb 22 - 23, 2025
    Registration opens: Jan 1
    Registration deadline: Feb 16
  • Mar 15 - 16, 2025
    Registration opens: Jan 1
    Registration deadline: March 9
  • April 5 - 6, 2025
    Registration opens: Feb 1
    Registration deadline: March 30
  • April 26 - 27, 2025
    Registration opens: Feb 1
    Registration deadline: April 20
  • May 10 - 11, 2025
    Registration opens: Mar 1
    Registration deadline: May 4
  • May 17 - 18, 2025
    Registration opens: March 1
    Registration deadline: May 11
  • June 3 - 4, 2025
    Registration opens: April 1
    Registration deadline: May 27
  • Time: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Location: YMCA Pool
  • Cost: $125

 

 

 

 

 

Register

LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION COURSE DATES

This program will allow participants to renew their Red Cross Lifeguarding certification upon succesful completion of the course, valid for 2 years. Students must currently posses a Red Cross Lifeguard Certification that is current or no more than 30 days expired by date of class. All students will be required to pass a swimming pretest before continuing with the recertification course.

PRETEST

  • Part 1: Participants must swim 150 yards continuously using either breaststroke or front crawl, then immediately begin treading water for 2 minutes using only legs, then finish with another 50 yards of swimming.
  • Part 2: Participants will enter the pool from the side of the pool, swim 20 yards, dive down to the bottom of the pool to retrieve a 10 lb object, return to service, then swim on their back while holding the object with both hands until they are back at their starting point, then exit the water. This event is timed and must be completed in 1 minute and 40 seconds.

AVAILABLE CLASS DATES:

  • March 1, 2025
    Registration deadline: February 27
  • March 30, 2025
    Registration deadline: March 28
  • April 12, 2025
    Registration deadline: April 10
  • May 3, 2025
    Registration deadline: May 1
  • May 21, 2025
    Registration deadline: May 19
  • Time: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Location: YMCA Pool
  • Cost: $100

 

 

 

 

 

Register

This is a professional CPR class for lifeguards that are looking to become re-certified. Current CPR for the professional rescuer certification (or lifeguard certification) must still be valid or no more expired than 30 days. The state of Nebraska requires all lifeguards to renew their CPR certifications annually.

Contact Maria Urlacher at 402-463-3139 or at aquatics@hastingsymca.net to inquire about classes.

For more information contact our Aquatics Director at aquatics@hastingsymca.net.