Lifeguard

This course provides the knowledge & skills needed to become a lifeguard.

Once you register for the course, you will recieve links to the Health & Safety Institute (HSI) BLS, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration videos. You must compete these videos and the exams at the end of the videos BEFORE the Lifeguard class begins. 

Click here to register with your online account!

Prerequisites:

Minimum age 15 by the last day of the scheduled course.
Physical Competency Requirements (conducted in class on the first day):

The following phases must be completed in succession.

Phase 1: Continuous Swim (350 Yards without rest breaks)

• Swim 100 yards of front crawl
• Swim 100 yards of breaststroke
• Swim 50 yards of front crawl with head up
• Swim 50 yards of breast stroke with head up
• Swim 50 yards of elementary backstroke kick or eggbeater kick with hands on chest

Phase 2: Tread Water 

• Tread water (no arms) for 2 minutes without stopping or resting

Phase 3: Combined Skills

• Start in the water at one end of the pool (no goggles).
• Sprint for approximatley 60 feet (20 yards) and then perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in 7 to 10 feet of water.
• Pick up and retireve object (dive ring) from the bottom of pool, surface, hold the object with both hands, and tread water for at least 1 minute using legs only.
• Swim the remaining length of the pool on back, holding object with both hands. Place the object on the deck and hoist self out of water. 
• Immediately begin compressions on an adult manikin for 1 minute or 100 compressions.
• Quickly walk to an elevated lifeguard stand, climb into stand, sit down.
•  Direct your attention to feet and locate a colored shape. 
• Scan, recognize, and identify the matching-colored shape while surveying surroundings. Point and shaer where that pbject is on the scan. 
• Stand up, blow whistle loudly and shout, "the Y is great!" before exiting the lifeguard stand.

Requirements for Certification:

• 100% participation and 100% attendance to all days
• Must score 80% or higher on each section of the YMCA Lifeguard tests
• Must score 80% or higher on the CPR Pro, Basic First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen written tests
• Successfully perform all practical skills
• Successfully demonstrate the ability to prevent, recognize, activate emergency action plan, rescue, provide emergency care, and complete reports
• Successfully demonstrate strength and maturity to be a Lifeguard to prevent accidents and also respond to emergencies through classroom and pool scenarios

Cost: $200 ($50 non-refundable), At no cost if you agree to work at the Athens YMCA Summer 2026. email ben@athensymca.org for more information.  

 

Registration for classes opens February 5th. 

Session: April 13 - 19, 2026

April 13 (Mon) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 14 (Tues) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 15 (Wed) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 16 (Thurs) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 17 (Fri) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 18 (Sat) from 9:00am – 5:00pm

April 19 (Sun) from 1:00pm – 6:00pm

 

 

Session: April 27 - May 3, 2026

 

April 27 (Mon) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 28 (Tues) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 29 (Wed) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

April 30 (Thurs) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

May 1 (Fri) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm

May 2 (Sat) from 9:00am – 5:00pm

May 3 (Sun) from 1:00pm – 6:00pm

 

 

YASA - Youth Aquatic Safety Assistant (Junior Lifeguard)

minimum age - 14 y/o

Please email for dates/times. 

ost: $75, no cost if you agree to work here.

 

RECERTIFICATION LIFEGUARD COURSES

**Must have current lifeguard, CPR Pro/AED, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen cards**

*Must hold current YMCA Lifeguard Certification for this course*

Please email for dates/times. 

Cost: $100 ($50 non-refundable) *Save $50.00 if you kept your books*