A YMCA lifeguard watched over the pool
YMCA red floating device icon

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training

Lifeguard Training and Recertification

The American Red Cross lifeguard course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to become a professional lifeguard through online training, classroom learning and in-water skills practice. The online portion of the course is 7 hours in length and MUST be completed prior to the first scheduled meeting date. Participants will log onto the American Red Cross website and follow a course outline which includes videos normally viewed during the classroom sessions. The class covers equipment based rescues, spinal injury management and post rescue care.

MAXIMUM 9 participants per class. Registration is on a “first come” basis; there will be no “holding” of spots. Participants must take the prerequisite swim test before they can register for the session. The online portion of the course MUST be completed by the first classroom session.

A lifeguard swims with a child
YMCA orange chevron

Prerequisite

Participants must be able to pass the prerequisite, consisting of the following:

  1. Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.

  • Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.

  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.

    2. Starting at the pool wall, swim about 20 yards, dive down and retrieve a 10-pound brick in 7-10 feet of water, surface, swim on their back with the brick on their chest, holding the brick with both hands, to the starting point, place the brick on the deck, and hoist themselves out of the pool. This must be done WITHOUT the use of goggles and must be done in 1 minute and 40 seconds.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for lifeguard/first aid and CPR/AED which is valid for two years.

Very Important

  • Whether you have contacts or not, you must be able to open your eyes underwater without wearing goggles.

  • You must be able to go under water to a depth 12 feet.

  • Participants MUST set up a time and pass the free swim test prior to registering and paying for the class. There is no charge to take the swim test. DO NOT PAY for the class until the participant has passed the swim test.

  • There MUST be 5 participants to have a class.

No refunds will be given for failing the prerequisite swim test, nor for failing the course.

Contact Chuck Gallatin:
cgallatin@muncieymca.org
765-741-5541

Ages

15+

Registration Deadline

Registration will begin 2 weeks before each class and end the Wednesday before each class.

Sesson Dates

Spring Break:

NEW GUARDS ONLY-NO RECERTIFICATIONS

March 23-27 (Registration runs March 9-March 18)

Mon-Fri      10:00am-3:00pm

WEEKEND SESSIONS (INCLUDING RECERTIFICATIONS):

  • February 20-22: Registration runs Feb 9-Feb 18

  • April 10-12: Registration runs March 30-Apr 8

  • April 24-26: Registration runs Apr 13-Apr 22

  • May 1-3: Registration runs Apr 20-Apr 29

  • May 15-17: Registration runs May 4-May 13                   

Daily Schedule

Important – This is for each session:

  • Recerts come only on Saturdays and Sundays

  • Friday : 5-10 pm  – New guards only

  • Saturday : 9am-5pm  –   New guards and recerts

  • Sunday : 9am-5pm  –  New guards and recerts

Location

YMCA of Muncie

615 N. Walnut St.

Muncie, IN 47305

Members

$225 full lifeguard course
$180 lifeguard recertification

Guests

$300 full lifeguard course
$230 lifeguard recertification

YMCA red swimming icon

Contact

Chuck Gallatin
cgallatin@muncieymca.org
765-741-5541