LIFEGUARD TRAINING HEADQUARTERS – Your Center for Life Guard Training
San Juan County sits in the Four Corners region of northwestern New Mexico, with Aztec as its county seat and Farmington as its largest city. The county is defined by the San Juan and Animas Rivers and by Navajo Lake, one of the largest reservoirs in the state.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for San Juan County’s river-and-lake community.
Lifeguard training in San Juan County, New Mexico at a glance
In San Juan County, New Mexico 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
- 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 San Juan County, New Mexico.
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 municipal and community aquatics facilities serving Farmington, Aztec, and Bloomfield in San Juan County.
Core Curriculum
In San Juan County, coursework divides between water rescue and surveillance on one hand and professional resuscitation on the other.
Water Rescue & Surveillance
- Active vs. Passive Recognition: Work a systematic scan and recognise both the active struggle and the passive, unconscious casualty.
- Water Entries: Drill fast entries matched to varying pool depths and facility shapes.
- In-Water Stabilization: Stabilise and protect a casualty with suspected head, neck or back injury while still in the water.
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: Apply the appropriate breath ratio for each casualty age group.
San Juan County Lifeguard Certification Requirements
To enroll in San Juan 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
Each of these confirms a specific capability, stamina, comfort at depth and control without the use of arms, ahead of the practical syllabus.
- A continuous 300 yard swim in front crawl, breaststroke, or a mix of the two.
- 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
Courses serving San Juan County run on a blended model, which keeps most of the study off the calendar and away from a classroom.
- Step 1: Complete the remote coursework spanning rescue theory, CPR and AED, and core first aid.
- Step 2: Contact us to reserve your in-person skills day and lock in the schedule.
- Step 3: Complete the in-person day, clearing the physical gate and the rescue skills test.
- Step 4: Finish by scoring a pass on the closing written evaluation.
Packing Checklist for Your Skills Session
For the skills clinic, bring:
Proper Swimwear
A functional, athletic-style swimsuit designed for rigorous physical activity.
Towels & Warm Layers
Two or more dry towels and a warm change of clothes, which matter more than people expect between water drills.
Hydration & Nutrition
Bring a reusable bottle and substantial snacks to keep energy up through the physical training.
Documentation
Age-verifying photo ID, government or school issued, presented on Day 1.
Certification
Upon successful completion, students in San Juan 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.
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 San Juan County?
Farmington’s municipal recreation facilities, combined with heavy recreational use of Navajo Lake State Park and the San Juan and Animas Rivers, drive consistent local demand for certified lifeguards throughout San Juan 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 San Juan 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
Open water is treated separately. Beach, ocean and waterfront positions commonly require additional waterfront rescue training beyond the pool award.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lifeguard Training in San Juan 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.
Where is this certification accepted?
Yes. American Aquatics and Safety Training certifications follow the standards referenced by the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC).
What should I bring to my in-person skills session?
Bring swimwear you can work in, a towel, a swim cap, dry clothes, water, and photo ID that proves your age. Goggles are fine for the swim and must be removed for the object retrieval.
What happens if I don't pass the physical prerequisites?
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.
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Every county in New Mexico is listed on the New Mexico training page.
Enroll in a lifeguard class in San Juan County
$195 Expect 27.5 hours: online coursework plus one skills session in person. The resulting certification is valid for two years.
Our training partner American Aquatics & Safety Training schedules and runs the classes.
Lifeguard classes in San Juan County
A class in San Juan County runs online first, in the pool second, with the water session carrying the assessment. The San Juan County certification packages water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid into 27.5 hours.
How the course is structured in San Juan County
The structure is online theory covering surveillance, rescue theory and emergency action planning, followed by a practical session assessing entries, approaches, extrications and spinal management.
Who lifeguard courses in San Juan County are for
Lifeguard courses in San Juan County are open to candidates aged 15 and over who can pass the prerequisite swim test. Most people who become a lifeguard in San Juan County go on to work at community pools, waterparks, school and university facilities and open-water sites across New Mexico.
What lifeguard certification in San Juan County costs
The San Juan County course costs $195. That covers the online modules, the in-person skills session, and a certification valid two years from issue. Classes in San Juan County run year-round and the online portion opens the moment you enroll.
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Last updated September 20, 2026