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Lifeguard Training in Kent County, Michigan

Kent County is home to Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest city, built along the Grand River and long known for its furniture manufacturing history, now a growing hub of business, healthcare, and higher education in West Michigan.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Kent County’s large, active municipal aquatics network.
Lifeguard Training in Kent County

Lifeguard training in Kent County, Michigan at a glance

In Kent County, Michigan 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
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 Kent County, Michigan.

CMAHC-Aligned Training

American Aquatics and Safety Training keeps the syllabus aligned with current Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code standards (CMAHC).
Our curriculum is designed for municipal pools and recreation centers serving Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Kentwood.

Core Curriculum

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

Water Rescue & Surveillance

  • Active vs. Passive Recognition: Read the water methodically, separating visible distress from the passive submersion that makes no noise.
  • Water Entries: Practise entries appropriate to shallow and deep water and to different deck configurations.
  • In-Water Stabilization: Hold and protect casualties with possible head, neck or back damage until extrication is safe.

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: Ventilate at the correct ratio, which differs between adults, children and infants.

Kent County Lifeguard Certification Requirements

To enroll in Kent 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.
  • Recognition and management of shock, heat-related illness and further medical emergencies.

How It Works: The Path to Certification

Training for Kent County is structured so the theory happens at home and only the water work requires a fixed date.
  • Step 1: Work through the online modules on rescue theory, CPR and AED, and first aid basics.
  • Step 2: Book the in-person skills session with us and have the date confirmed.
  • Step 3: Attend in person, pass the water prerequisite, then pass the rescue skills evaluation.
  • Step 4: Pass the final written paper to complete the certification.
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

A minimum of two dry towels and warm layers, to stay at temperature during the gaps between drills.

Hydration and nutrition icon

Hydration & Nutrition

Bring a reusable bottle and substantial snacks to keep energy up through the physical training.

Documentation icon

Documentation

Age-verifying photo ID, government or school issued, presented on Day 1.

Certification

Upon successful completion, students in Kent County earn a Certification from American Aquatics and Safety Training covering Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, valid for two years.
The curriculum is checked 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 Kent County?

As Michigan’s second-largest metro area, Kent County operates an extensive network of municipal pools, community centers, and swim programs that create year-round 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 Kent 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 Kent County

How long does lifeguard training take?

Total contact and study time is in the region of 25 to 27.5 hours. The blended structure means the theory is done online in advance, leaving the in-person session for practical work.
Yes. Standards referenced by the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) underpin the American Aquatics and Safety Training certification.
Required: a proper swimsuit, towel, swim cap, dry change of clothing, a water bottle, and age-verifying photo identification. Goggles may be worn swimming but not during the retrieval test.
The prerequisites are a safety gate and cannot be waived. Miss them on day one and instructors will tell you exactly what to practise, with a transfer into a later session once you are ready.
Find Upcoming Lifeguard Classes in Michigan by County

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

Enroll in a lifeguard class in Kent County

$195 Expect 27.5 hours: online coursework plus one skills session in person. The resulting certification is valid for two years.

Enroll now, $195

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

Lifeguard classes in Kent County: what to expect

There is one delivery model in Kent County: complete the coursework online, then attend a single session to be assessed in the water. Certification in Kent County requires passing the rescue, CPR/AED and First Aid components across 27.5 hours.

The format of a lifeguard course in Kent County

Online study you control, followed by one practical day. Theory covers scanning, rescue theory and emergency planning; the water work covers entries, approaches, extrications and spinal management.

Entry requirements for lifeguard courses in Kent County

Lifeguard courses in Kent County require candidates to be at least 15 by the last day of class and to complete the swim test. Those who become a lifeguard in Kent County typically work at municipal pools, waterparks, campus aquatic centers and waterfronts across Michigan.

Cost of lifeguard certification in Kent County

Expect $195 for a Kent County course, which includes the online modules, the practical skills assessment and a two year certification. Kent County schedules classes across the whole year.

More lifeguard training locations

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Last updated September 20, 2026

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