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Lifeguard Training in Union County, Illinois

Union County, seated in Jonesboro, lies in the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois and is home to Trail of Tears State Forest, which commemorates the Cherokee removal that passed through the area in the winter of 1838-39.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Union County’s outdoor recreation areas.
Lifeguard Training in Union County

Lifeguard training in Union County, Illinois at a glance

Union County, Illinois pricing is $195.00 for 27.5 hours of training, 7.5 of them online and 2 days in person, with a minimum age of 15 and a 300 yard swim.

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
300 yards unbroken, 2 minutes treading using legs only, and a 10-lb brick from 7 to 10 ft within 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 Union County, Illinois.

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 community pools and outdoor recreation programs serving Jonesboro, Anna, and Cobden.

Core Curriculum

In Union County, the coursework splits into two disciplines, water rescue and surveillance, and 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: Select and execute the right entry for the depth and deck layout in front of you.
  • In-Water Stabilization: Apply in-water protocols for suspected spinal trauma without worsening the injury.

CPR & AED Training

  • High-Quality Compressions: Correct compression rate, correct depth, and a full release between compressions.
  • AED Operation: Accurate pad placement, and a shock delivered inside the cycle rather than instead of it.
  • Rescue Breathing: Rescue breathing at the ratio that matches the casualty, adult, child or infant.

Union County Lifeguard Certification Requirements

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

Minimum Age

Physical Performance Test

Rescue training assumes a working level of swimming ability, and these benchmarks are how that assumption gets verified.
  • Swim 300 yards unbroken, choosing front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs.
  • Bring up a 10-pound object from 7 to 10 feet and return it, all within 1 minute 40 seconds, and without using the ladder or pool steps to exit.

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 Union County programme is delivered in two halves: self-paced study first, then a single scheduled practical block.
  • Step 1: Finish the self-paced component covering rescue theory, CPR and AED use, and first aid.
  • Step 2: Contact us to reserve your in-person skills day and lock in the schedule.
  • Step 3: Turn up for the practical day and clear both the physical prerequisite and the rescue skills assessment.
  • Step 4: Complete certification by passing the final written assessment.
Contact Us to Enroll

Packing Checklist for Your Skills Session

Arrive at the in-person session equipped with:
Proper swimwear icon

Proper Swimwear

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

Towels and warm layers icon

Towels & Warm Layers

Bring at least two towels and something warm to change into, because you will cool down fast between drills.

Hydration and nutrition icon

Hydration & Nutrition

Water and calorie-dense snacks. The practical work is tiring and blood sugar matters by the afternoon.

Documentation icon

Documentation

Valid photo identification from a government or school source, verifying age at Day 1 registration.

Certification

Upon successful completion, students in Union 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.
Since each organisation sets its own bar, confirm directly with your intended employer that this certification is one they accept.

Why Take Aquatic Safety Courses in Union County?

Union County’s forests, wetlands, and nearby Wolf Lake at the Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area draw outdoor recreation traffic, and a lifeguard credential is a portable qualification for pools and waterfronts across the region.
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 Union 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 Union County

How long does lifeguard training take?

Expect around 25 to 27.5 hours across the whole course, with the classroom portion completed online ahead of the mandatory in-person skills session.
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 will need swimwear, a towel, a swim cap, a dry change, water, and photo identification confirming age. Goggles are permitted on the swim and prohibited on the object retrieval.
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 Illinois by County

For the complete list, see lifeguard training in Illinois.

Enroll in a lifeguard class in Union County

$195 27.5 hours in total: online study plus a single in-person skills session. The certification lasts two years.

Enroll now, $195

Delivery and scheduling sit with American Aquatics & Safety Training, our training partner.

Lifeguard classes in Union County and how they work

Booking a lifeguard class in Union County means completing the online portion first and then attending a scheduled skills session in person. Lifeguard certification in Union County bundles water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid into one 27.5-hour program.

What a lifeguard course in Union County covers

The syllabus teaches surveillance and scanning, rescue technique, emergency action planning, and the CPR/AED and First Aid skills a professional rescuer is expected to perform. The in-person session is where each skill is signed off.

Prerequisites for lifeguard courses in Union County

Lifeguard courses in Union County are open to anyone aged 15 or over who can pass the swim test. People who become a lifeguard in Union County find work at community pools, waterparks, schools and universities, and supervised open water across Illinois.

How much lifeguard certification in Union County costs

Lifeguard training in Union County is priced at $195 and includes every part of the course, online modules, the in-person skills session and two-year certification. Lifeguard certification classes in Union County are available year-round.

More lifeguard training locations

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

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Last updated September 20, 2026

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