LIFEGUARD TRAINING HEADQUARTERS – Your Center for Life Guard Training
Strafford County sits in eastern New Hampshire near the seacoast, home to Dover, the county seat, and Durham, home to the University of New Hampshire.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Strafford County’s college-town aquatics scene.
Lifeguard training in Strafford County, New Hampshire at a glance
In Strafford County, New Hampshire 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
- Continuous 300 yard swim; 2 minute legs-only tread; 10-lb brick retrieved from 7 to 10 ft in under 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 Strafford County, New Hampshire.
CMAHC-Aligned Training
American Aquatics and Safety Training measures its curriculum against the prevailing standards of the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC).
Our curriculum is designed for the campus recreation facilities and community pools serving Durham, Dover, and the surrounding Strafford County communities.
Core Curriculum
In Strafford 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: Choose an entry that suits the depth and the layout, then perform it at speed.
- In-Water Stabilization: Hold and protect casualties with possible head, neck or back damage until extrication is safe.
CPR & AED Training
- High-Quality Compressions: Rate and depth to standard, with complete chest recoil every time.
- AED Operation: Site the pads properly and keep interruptions to compressions as short as the device allows.
- Rescue Breathing: Ventilate at the correct ratio, which differs between adults, children and infants.
Strafford County Lifeguard Certification Requirements
To enroll in Strafford County, candidates must meet the following age and physical performance requirements.
Minimum Age
- 15 years or older for pool/waterpark certification.
- 16 years or older for waterfront/beach certification.
Physical Performance Test
The point of these benchmarks is to establish baseline water competence before anyone practises a rescue on you or with you.
- 300 continuous yards, front crawl or breaststroke or any combination of them.
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs.
- Within 1 minute 40 seconds, retrieve a 10-pound object from 7 to 10 feet of water and swim it back, with no use of 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.
- Spotting and treating shock, heat illness and the other medical emergencies that occur poolside.
How It Works: The Path to Certification
Strafford County candidates work through the coursework online and reserve their diary only for the in-person session.
- Step 1: Complete the remote coursework spanning rescue theory, CPR and AED, and core first aid.
- Step 2: Reach out so we can schedule the hands-on session and confirm timings.
- 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.
Packing Checklist for Your Skills Session
Come to the practical day with the following:
Proper Swimwear
A functional, athletic-style swimsuit designed for rigorous physical activity.
Towels & Warm Layers
Bring at least two towels and something warm to change into, because you will cool down fast between drills.
Hydration & Nutrition
A refillable water bottle and high-energy food, since the physical sessions are long and demanding.
Documentation
Photo ID issued by a government body or school, confirming your age, required on the first day.
Certification
Upon successful completion, students in Strafford 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.
Requirements differ between organisations and regions, so check with the employer you are targeting that this certification satisfies their criteria.
Why Take Aquatic Safety Courses in Strafford County?
The University of New Hampshire’s campus aquatics programs and Dover’s municipal recreation facilities support demand for certified lifeguards in Strafford 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 Strafford 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
Note that ocean, beach and waterfront roles often ask for open-water or waterfront rescue training on top of a standard pool certification.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lifeguard Training in Strafford County
How long does lifeguard training take?
The full course runs about 25 to 27.5 hours. Most of that is the online classroom component, which you finish before the required in-person skills session.
Where is this certification accepted?
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.
What should I bring to my in-person skills session?
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.
What happens if I don't pass the physical prerequisites?
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 New Hampshire by County
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Enroll in a lifeguard class in Strafford County
$195 Expect 27.5 hours: online coursework plus one skills session in person. The resulting certification is valid for two years.
Classes run through American Aquatics & Safety Training, the training partner for this site.
Lifeguard classes in Strafford County: what to expect
Blended delivery is standard across Strafford County, meaning online coursework and a single in-person water assessment. The Strafford County award comes on passing rescue, CPR/AED and First Aid, 27.5 hours of training in total.
The format of a lifeguard course in Strafford County
The course divides cleanly: online, self-paced coverage of scanning, rescue theory and emergency planning, then a single day of entries, approaches, extrications and spinal management in the water.
Entry requirements for lifeguard courses in Strafford County
Lifeguard courses in Strafford 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 Strafford County typically work at municipal pools, waterparks, campus aquatic centers and waterfronts across New Hampshire.
Cost of lifeguard certification in Strafford County
$195 is the price in Strafford County, inclusive of online modules, the skills assessment in person, and two years of certification. Strafford County runs classes throughout the year.
More lifeguard training locations
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- Lifeguard training in Camden County, New Jersey
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Last updated September 20, 2026