Lifeguard Training

American Red Cross Training Course

Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation regularly hosts an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification course. Participants must accomplish all e-learning sessions prior to class session and must attend all classes for certification. The certification includes Lifeguard, CPR, AED, and First-aid training that is valid for two years and accepted nationwide. 

Course Details

• Registration/ class dates: 
  Visit our new online registration portal for registration details.
• Location: 
  Teton County / Jackson Recreation Center 
• Fee: 
  $225 per person

Course Prerequisites

To enroll in the Lifeguarding course, you must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session. To participate in the course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place during the first class session.

Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs.

Prerequisite 2: 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 (head-first or feet-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, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.

Course Content

• Preventative lifeguarding skills
• Steps to minimize or eliminate hazards at an aquatic facility
• Rescue techniques including swim assists and use of rescue equipment
• Procedures for handling spinal cord injuries
• CPR for the professional rescuer

Certification Requirements

Lifeguard certification is valid for two years, CPR certification is valid for two years. Certification requirements include:

• Successfully complete two written exams with 80% minimum score
• Successfully complete final skills test
• Successfully perform all critical skills

Requirements for Successful Completion

• Attend and participate in all class sessions
• Complete all eLearning units prior to attending classroom skills sessions
• Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities
• Pass a final written exam with a minimum grade of 80%
• Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios which include all 3 of the following:
  • Head, Neck, or Spinal Injury in Shallow Water
  • Active Victim in Deep Water
  • Submerged Passive Victim in Deep Water – Timed Response