I was a lifeguard for a few years. I received my certification through the Red Cross. If I remember I had to do about 40 hours of training to get certified. You obviously will have to get a First Aid/CPR card as well. A requirement for where I worked was also defibrillator training, though I don't think it was mandatory back then (it probably is now).
Each required training costs a separate fee. In total, mine was between $200-300 about 10 years ago. I did all my classes through the Red Cross.
Contact your local Red Cross...there may be other avenues to get a certification, but I don't know for sure.
From my experience, it's mind-numbingly boring work. You have to always be aware of what's going on...which 99% of the time is nothing at all. It's not for everyone.
EDIT: Sorry messages got out of whack. I deleted my original while you were responding to it, apparently.
| GPFontaine wrote: |
| Klimbatize wrote: |
| From my experience, it's mind-numbingly boring work. You have to always be aware of what's going on...which 99% of the time is nothing at all. |
I have no intention of ever becoming a lifeguard. I may need the cert eventually for legal purposes. 40 hours is quite a bit of time to invest. Is there an actual test I can prepare for and then just go and take that? |
I don't believe so. Are you sure you don't just need CPR/Defib training? If so, that will take considerably less time because you won't have to take water safety courses. Those classes could probably be finished in one day, maybe two. They are hands-on so you can't just test out of them.
If, however, you need full lifeguarding certification, then yes...it's about 40 hours total.
