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Lifeguard Training in Monroe County, Florida

Monroe County encompasses the Florida Keys, stretching from Key Largo to Key West, which also serves as the county seat. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Monroe County’s world-renowned diving and boating tourism industry.
Lifeguard Training in Monroe County

Lifeguard training in Monroe County, Florida at a glance

Cost for Monroe County, Florida is $195.00. Total time is 27.5 hours, split into 7.5 online and 2 in-person days. You must be 15 and able to swim 300 yards.

Cost
$195.00 per participant, group discounts available.
Length
7.5 hours online plus 2 days in person (27.5 hours total).
Minimum age
15 by the last day of class.
Swim test
Swim 300 yards without stopping, tread 2 minutes with no arms, and bring a 10-lb brick up from 7 to 10 ft inside 1:40.
Certifications
Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid.
Valid for
Two years. Recertification is 10 hours in person.
Format
Blended, online at your own pace, then an in-person skills session available on request in Monroe County, Florida.

CMAHC-Aligned Training

The curriculum is reviewed by American Aquatics and Safety Training against current standards from the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC).
Our curriculum is designed for beaches, pools, and resorts serving Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo.

Core Curriculum

In Monroe County, two disciplines make up the coursework: water rescue and surveillance, then professional resuscitation.

Water Rescue & Surveillance

  • Active vs. Passive Recognition: Cover your zone to a set pattern and distinguish active distress from passive drowning.
  • Water Entries: Drill fast entries matched to varying pool depths and facility shapes.
  • In-Water Stabilization: Manage suspected spinal injuries in the water, which is where handling errors do the most harm.

CPR & AED Training

  • High-Quality Compressions: Work to the required rate and depth, and let the chest come all the way back up.
  • AED Operation: Get the pads in the right place and work the unit into the cycle with minimal downtime.
  • Rescue Breathing: Rescue breathing at the ratio that matches the casualty, adult, child or infant.

Monroe County Lifeguard Certification Requirements

To enroll in Monroe County, candidates must meet the following age and physical performance requirements.

Minimum Age

Physical Performance Test

Each of these confirms a specific capability, stamina, comfort at depth and control without the use of arms, ahead of the practical syllabus.
  • Swim 300 yards unbroken, choosing front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs.
  • Recover a 10-pound object lying at 7 to 10 feet inside 1 minute 40 seconds, then carry it back through the water without touching a ladder or the steps.

Skills You'll Master

The curriculum is organized into three core disciplines: water rescue, resuscitation, and first aid.

Water Rescue Techniques & Surveillance

  • Reaching and throwing assists using rescue equipment.
  • Active and passive drowning victim rescues.
  • Multiple-victim response prioritization.
  • Submerged victim recovery in shallow and deep water.

CPR / AED for Professional Responders

  • Adult, child, and infant CPR technique.
  • Two-rescuer CPR coordination.
  • AED use on adult, child, and infant victims.
  • Choking and airway obstruction response.

Advanced First Aid & Medical Emergencies

  • Bleeding control and wound care.
  • Handling shock, heat illness and the wider range of medical emergencies on a pool deck.

How It Works: The Path to Certification

The Monroe County programme is delivered in two halves: self-paced study first, then a single scheduled practical block.
  • Step 1: Work through the online modules on rescue theory, CPR and AED, and first aid basics.
  • Step 2: Reach out so we can schedule the hands-on session and confirm timings.
  • Step 3: Attend the session and satisfy both the physical prerequisite and the rescue evaluation.
  • Step 4: Complete certification by passing the final written assessment.
Contact Us to Enroll

Packing Checklist for Your Skills Session

For the skills clinic, bring:
Proper swimwear icon

Proper Swimwear

A functional, athletic-style swimsuit designed for rigorous physical activity.

Towels and warm layers icon

Towels & Warm Layers

Two dry towels minimum, plus warm clothing to keep your core temperature up between drills.

Hydration and nutrition icon

Hydration & Nutrition

A water bottle you can refill, plus high-energy snacks for the demanding practical sessions.

Documentation icon

Documentation

Photo ID issued by a government body or school, confirming your age, required on the first day.

Certification

Upon successful completion, students in Monroe County earn a Certification from American Aquatics and Safety Training covering Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, valid for two years.
The syllabus is measured against current CMAHC-referenced criteria.
Employers and regions apply different rules, so verify with the facility you want to work at that this certification meets what they ask for.

Why Take Aquatic Safety Courses in Monroe County?

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo and the Keys’ year-round diving, snorkeling, and boating tourism create steady, high demand for certified lifeguards and water-safety personnel throughout Monroe County.
Throughout the course, you’ll receive hands-on instruction in:
  • Injury prevention and facility safety
  • Patron surveillance techniques
  • Water rescue skills
  • Victim assessment
  • First aid
  • CPR/AED

Career Opportunities

A lifeguard certification can open the door to rewarding employment opportunities in Monroe County and beyond.
  • Pool and waterpark lifeguard positions
  • Resort and hotel aquatics staff
  • Community and recreation center supervision
  • Camp and school aquatics programs
  • Aquatics facility management

Frequently Asked Questions About Lifeguard Training in Monroe County

How long does lifeguard training take?

Budget roughly 25 to 27.5 hours in total. Because the format is blended, the classroom share is completed online and only the skills session needs to be attended in person.
Yes, the certification follows standards referenced by the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) and is issued by American Aquatics and Safety Training.
You need a proper swimsuit, towel, swim cap, a dry change of clothing, a water bottle and photo ID confirming your age. Goggles may be worn during the swim, though not for the retrieval test.
They are non-negotiable for safety. If day one does not go your way, expect precise feedback on what to work on and a transfer rather than a lost fee.
Find Upcoming Lifeguard Classes in Florida by County

Every county in Florida is listed on the Florida training page.

Enroll in a lifeguard class in Monroe County

$195 27.5 hours overall, combining self-paced online work with one in-person session. Certification runs two years.

Enroll now, $195

Our training partner American Aquatics & Safety Training schedules and runs the classes.

Lifeguard classes in Monroe County

You complete the theory for a Monroe County class on your own time, then attend a single in-person session to be assessed in the water. Certification in Monroe County is a 27.5-hour course spanning water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid.

How the course is structured in Monroe County

Part one is online and covers surveillance, rescue theory and emergency action planning. Part two happens at the pool, where entries, approaches, extrications and spinal management are assessed.

Who lifeguard courses in Monroe County are for

Lifeguard courses in Monroe County are open to candidates aged 15 and over who can pass the prerequisite swim test. Most people who become a lifeguard in Monroe County go on to work at community pools, waterparks, school and university facilities and open-water sites across Florida.

What lifeguard certification in Monroe County costs

Monroe County is priced at $195, covering online modules, the in-person skills session and a certification valid two years from issue. Monroe County schedules classes year-round and online access begins at enrolment.

More lifeguard training locations

4.9 out of 5 ★★★★½ from 409 reviews of the lifeguard certification course.

Before you book a course

Last updated September 20, 2026

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