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Lifeguard Training in Dallas County, Iowa

Dallas County is part of the Des Moines metro area in central Iowa, with Adel as the county seat; it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, with rapidly expanding suburbs like Waukee, Adel, and Dallas Center along the Raccoon River.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Dallas County’s fast-growing suburban community.
Lifeguard Training in Dallas County

Lifeguard training in Dallas County, Iowa at a glance

In Dallas County, Iowa the course is $195.00 and runs 27.5 hours (7.5 online, 2 days in person). Entry requires age 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
A continuous 300 yard swim, a 2 minute tread without arms, and a 10-lb brick recovered 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 Dallas County, Iowa.

CMAHC-Aligned Training

Curriculum review at American Aquatics and Safety Training tracks the current standards of the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC).
Our curriculum is designed for pools, aquatic centers, and recreation programs serving Waukee, Adel, and Dallas Center.

Core Curriculum

In Dallas County, the coursework splits into two disciplines, water rescue and surveillance, and professional resuscitation.

Water Rescue & Surveillance

  • Active vs. Passive Recognition: Scan a zone to a repeatable pattern, and tell an actively struggling swimmer from a silent, unconscious one.
  • 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: Correct compression rate, correct depth, and a full release between compressions.
  • AED Operation: Site the pads properly and keep interruptions to compressions as short as the device allows.
  • Rescue Breathing: Deliver rescue breaths at the right ratio for adult, child and infant casualties.

Dallas County Lifeguard Certification Requirements

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

Minimum Age

Physical Performance Test

These are screening standards, not fitness goals: they confirm you can work in deep water before rescue training starts.
  • 300 continuous yards, front crawl or breaststroke or any combination of them.
  • 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.
  • Recognition and management of shock, heat-related illness and further medical emergencies.

How It Works: The Path to Certification

Training for Dallas County is structured so the theory happens at home and only the water work requires a fixed date.
  • Step 1: Finish the self-paced component covering rescue theory, CPR and AED use, and first aid.
  • Step 2: Reach out so we can schedule the hands-on session and confirm timings.
  • 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

A minimum of two dry towels and warm layers, to stay at temperature during the gaps 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 Dallas County earn a Certification from American Aquatics and Safety Training covering Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, valid for two years.
Course content is reviewed against the CMAHC-referenced criteria in force.
What an employer accepts varies by organisation and by region. Confirm with yours before assuming this certification covers their requirement.

Why Take Aquatic Safety Courses in Dallas County?

As one of the fastest-growing counties in the Des Moines metro, Dallas County has seen rapid construction of new community pools and aquatic centers, driving strong ongoing demand for certified lifeguards.
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 Dallas 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 Dallas 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.
Pack a swimsuit you can work in, a towel, a swim cap, dry clothes to change into, water, and photo identification that proves your age. Goggles are permitted for the swim but must come off for the object retrieval.
These are mandatory, because rescue training cannot proceed safely without them. A candidate who falls short leaves with targeted guidance and a place in a later session.
Find Upcoming Lifeguard Classes in Iowa by County

For the complete list, see lifeguard training in Iowa.

Enroll in a lifeguard class in Dallas County

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

Enroll now, $195

Classes run through American Aquatics & Safety Training, the training partner for this site.

Lifeguard classes in Dallas County

Dallas County classes separate theory from practice: the coursework is online and self-paced, the assessment is in the water. A Dallas County certification covers water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid inside one 27.5-hour course.

How the course is structured in Dallas County

Two components make up the course. The online half handles surveillance, rescue theory and emergency action planning. The in-person half is assessment: entries, approaches, extrications and spinal management.

Who lifeguard courses in Dallas County are for

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

What lifeguard certification in Dallas County costs

Expect to pay $195 in Dallas County for the online modules, the skills session and a certification valid two years from issue. Courses in Dallas County are available year-round and online study starts at enrolment.

More lifeguard training locations

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If you are still deciding

Last updated September 20, 2026

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