LIFEGUARD TRAINING HEADQUARTERS – Your Center for Life Guard Training
Program Overview: First Aid Training through American Aquatics and Safety Training is a blended safety course covering wound care, injury assessment, and medical emergency response. Candidates earn a nationally recognized 2-year certification after completing online coursework and an in-person hands-on skills evaluation.
Nationally Recognized, CMAHC-Aligned Training
American Aquatics and Safety Training is a nationally recognized training and certification provider whose curriculum is systematically reviewed against current standards from the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC).
First Aid Training is one of three certifications bundled into our full Lifeguard Training course, but it’s also available as a standalone certification for anyone who needs it — teachers, coaches, caregivers, or anyone required to hold current First Aid credentials for work.
Core Curriculum
Coursework starts with how to assess an emergency scene safely, then moves into direct wound and injury care.
Emergency Scene Assessment
- Scene Safety Check: Assess a scene for ongoing hazards before approaching a victim.
- Primary Survey: Quickly check responsiveness, breathing, and major bleeding to prioritize care.
- When to Call EMS: Recognize which situations require activating emergency medical services immediately versus providing care on scene.
Wound & Injury Care
- Bleeding Control: Apply direct pressure and dressings to control bleeding, including when to use a tourniquet for severe bleeding.
- Burn Care: Identify burn severity and provide appropriate initial care.
- Splinting Sprains & Fractures: Immobilize a suspected sprain or fracture to prevent further injury before help arrives.
Skills You'll Master
Beyond wound care, the course covers the medical and environmental emergencies most likely to come up in real settings.
Medical Emergencies
- Stroke & Heart Attack Signs: Recognize early warning signs and respond appropriately while waiting for EMS.
- Seizures: Protect a person having a seizure and know what not to do.
- Diabetic Emergencies: Identify signs of low or high blood sugar emergencies and respond correctly.
- Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions: Recognize severe allergic reactions and assist with epinephrine auto-injector use when appropriate.
Environmental Emergencies
- Heat-Related Illness: Distinguish heat exhaustion from heat stroke and treat each appropriately.
- Cold-Related Illness: Recognize and respond to hypothermia.
- Bites & Stings: Provide initial care for insect stings, animal bites, and marine life stings.
Shock Management
- Recognizing Shock: Identify early symptoms of shock following injury or blood loss.
- Positioning & Monitoring: Position a patient correctly and monitor their condition until help arrives.
Requirements for First Aid Training
First Aid Training is open to teens and adults and does not require a swim test — that’s a lifeguard-specific requirement, not a First Aid one.
- Complete Online Modules: Finish the classroom portion covering first aid theory before your in-person session.
- Attend In-Person Skills Session: Practice wound care, splinting, and emergency response scenarios under instructor supervision.
- Pass the Hands-On Skills Check: Demonstrate correct technique to a certified instructor before certification is issued.
How It Works
- Step 1: Complete the online First Aid modules at your own pace.
- Step 2: Attend an in-person skills session prepared to practice hands-on scenarios.
- Step 3: Demonstrate correct wound care, splinting, and emergency response to pass the skills check.
- Step 4: Receive your nationally recognized 2-year First Aid certification.
Nationally Recognized First Aid Certification
Upon successful completion, you receive a professional First Aid certification from American Aquatics and Safety Training, valid for two years.
The curriculum follows nationally recognized first aid guidelines and is reviewed against current CMAHC-referenced standards.
Because employer and workplace requirements vary, always confirm with your employer or licensing body that this certification meets their specific criteria.
Who Needs First Aid Training?
First Aid certification is required or strongly recommended across a wide range of roles.
- Lifeguards & Aquatics Staff: First Aid is one of the three certifications bundled into standard Lifeguard Training.
- Teachers & Childcare Providers: Many schools and daycare licensing requirements mandate current First Aid certification.
- Coaches & Fitness Professionals: Athletic organizations and gyms commonly require First Aid credentials for staff.
- Caregivers & Parents: Anyone responsible for children, older adults, or at-risk individuals benefits from First Aid training.
Frequently Asked Questions About First Aid Training
How long does First Aid training take?
Most candidates complete the online modules in 2–3 hours, followed by an in-person skills session that typically runs 2–4 hours depending on class size.
Is First Aid training required alongside CPR for lifeguard certification?
Yes. Our standard Lifeguard Training bundles all three certifications — Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid — since lifeguards need all three to respond to the full range of emergencies they may encounter.
What topics are covered?
The course covers scene assessment, bleeding control, burns, sprains and fractures, medical emergencies like strokes and allergic reactions, environmental illness like heat and cold exposure, and shock management.
How long is the certification valid?
First Aid certification through American Aquatics and Safety Training is valid for two years from the date of successful completion.
More about first aid
Certification through Lifeguard Training HQ is blended — 7.5 hours of online coursework followed by 2 days of in-person skills sessions, 27.5 hours in total. You must be at least 15 and pass a swim test. Find lifeguard training by state and county or read how to become a certified lifeguard.