Lifeguard Certifications

CALLING ALL LIFEGUARDS!

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation wants YOU to work as a certified lifeguard during our year-round swimming season. We’re excited about building a great team of professional lifeguards and therefore reserve the right to hire only the most qualified applicants for all positions and do not guarantee employment based on training completion. All lifeguard candidates must be at least 15 years of age in order to qualify for employment with SFPR Aquatics. Free certification training is available to all candidates who commit to work for SFPR. For more information on this program, contact the Midco® Aquatic Center at (605) 367-POOL.
Detailed course information available below.

Lifeguard/CPR Review

Calling all Lifeguards!
The lifeguarding review course allows currently certified lifeguards or no longer than 1 month expired certification to review the content of the lifeguarding course in a classroom setting in about half of the time of a full lifeguarding course.

REGISTER $125 for course

Prerequisites include:

Participants must have a current certification or no longer than 1 month expired certification in lifeguard and CPR/AED for the professional Rescuer, show American Red Cross Universal Certificates indicating Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR for the professional Rescuer (or a recognized equivalent certificate).

Participants who successfully complete the lifeguarding review course will receive new certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the professional rescuer.

Description

  • This course renews Lifeguard, First Aid, and CPR certifications. Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR certificate is valid for two years. Course participants must attend all dates and times of course sessions.
  • Participants who successfully complete the Lifeguarding Review course will receive new certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR.

What do I need for class?

  • Current Lifeguard, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certificates. One-piece swimsuit, towel, and goggles. Please bring a sack lunch each day.

Registration Required

Lifeguard Training

Develop leadership skills, build self-confidence, and learn teamwork

As a lifeguard, you will have the opportunity to work in exciting settings such as aquatic centers, summer camps, waterparks, college pools, and more! Many lifeguards move on to careers in aquatics, fitness, and healthcare. It is also a great way to get noticed by future employers and colleges who look for applicants with good communications skills, positive attitudes, and professional behavior.

The Red Cross Lifeguard Training Program is intended to train individuals in the skills and knowledge needed to be a certified lifeguard at aquatic facilities. The training is approximately 28 hours in length. The prerequisite test is held on the first day. With successful completion of all required skills and knowledge, students will receive certification in the following: Lifeguarding and First Aid (two years), CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (two years). Successful candidates have lucrative opportunities for employment upon completion of the class!

Lifeguard candidates must attend every session. Attendance in the course does not guarantee lifeguard certification. Candidates must pass written and practical exams.

All courses are Friday-Sunday
5 p.m. start on Friday
8 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday

REGISTER $185 per person

Prerequisites — students will be tested for the following skills:

  • Minimum age: 15-years-old on the last day of class
  • Tread water for two minutes using only the legs.
  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
  • Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object while keeping your face at or near the surface so you are able to get a breath. You should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Certification Requirements

  • Pass one written test with a minimum grade of 80 percent or better on each section
  • Successfully complete four final skill scenarios
  • Successfully perform all critical skills

What do I need for class?

One-piece swimsuit, towel, goggles.

Red Cross Lifeguard Training includes the following:

  • Lifeguard Training
  • First Aid
  • CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

Water Safety Instructor Training

Teach swimming and water safety courses

  • Water Safety Instructors are in high demand, and this is a great part-time job for people of all ages. Learn to teach children and adults water safety, survival and swimming skills, and give community water safety presentations. It’s a fun job that will help you develop teaching and leadership skills. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be certified to teach American Red Cross swimming lessons.
  • The Water Safety Instructor (WSI) course features a training time of 30 hours and 30 minutes, including the precourse session, and is open to those at least 16 years old. Through video and hands-on skill building, the course includes all the water safety and drowning prevention tools and information needed to plan and conduct courses in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program.

Prerequisites

  • Be at least 16 years old by the end of the course.
  • Proof of your age (such as a valid driver's license is required on the first day of class.)

Precourse Skills Test - You must demonstrate Red Cross Level 4 swimming skills for these skills

  • Front Crawl 25 yards
  • Back Crawl 25 yards
  • Breaststroke 25 Yards
  • Elementary Backstroke 25 yards
  • Sidestroke 25 yards
  • Butterfly 15 yards
  • Maintain position on back for one minute in deep water (float or scull)
  • Tread water for one minute

Registration required

REGISTER

Lifeguards

Three Lifeguards