LIFEGUARD TRAINING HEADQUARTERS – Your Center for Life Guard Training
Ulster County spans the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains, with Kingston, New York’s first state capital, as its seat, bordered by the Hudson River and the Ashokan Reservoir.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Ulster County’s river and mountain communities.
Lifeguard training in Ulster County, New York at a glance
Ulster County, New York: $195.00, 27.5 hours in total (7.5 online plus 2 days in person), minimum 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 Ulster County, New York.
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 and community aquatic programs serving Kingston, New Paltz, and Saugerties.
Core Curriculum
In Ulster 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: Practise entries appropriate to shallow and deep water and to different deck configurations.
- 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: Compress at the correct rate and depth, letting the chest recoil fully between each one.
- AED Operation: Get the pads in the right place and work the unit into the cycle with minimal downtime.
- Rescue Breathing: Rescue breathing at the ratio that matches the casualty, adult, child or infant.
Ulster County Lifeguard Certification Requirements
To enroll in Ulster 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
Rescue training assumes a working level of swimming ability, and these benchmarks are how that assumption gets verified.
- A continuous 300 yard swim in front crawl, breaststroke, or a mix of the two.
- 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.
- Handling shock, heat illness and the wider range of medical emergencies on a pool deck.
How It Works: The Path to Certification
Ulster County candidates work through the coursework online and reserve their diary only for the in-person session.
- 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: Complete the in-person day, clearing the physical gate and the rescue skills test.
- Step 4: Complete certification by passing the final written assessment.
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
Two or more dry towels and a warm change of clothes, which matter more than people expect between water drills.
Hydration & Nutrition
A water bottle you can refill, plus high-energy snacks for the demanding practical sessions.
Documentation
Photo ID issued by a government body or school, confirming your age, required on the first day.
Certification
Upon successful completion, students in Ulster 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 Ulster County?
Between the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains, and numerous town parks and pools, Ulster County offers steady seasonal demand for certified lifeguards throughout its river and mountain communities.
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 Ulster 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 Ulster 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.
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?
Not clearing them on the first day is common. You will get specific feedback on the element that failed, and scheduling is flexible enough to move you to a future date.
Find Upcoming Lifeguard Classes in New York by County
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Every county in New York is listed on the New York training page.
Enroll in a lifeguard class in Ulster 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 Ulster County
The Ulster County route is online study on your own schedule, then a practical session in the pool. Certification in Ulster County spans water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid in one 27.5-hour course.
How the course is structured in Ulster County
Delivery splits in two. Online you cover surveillance, rescue theory and emergency action planning; in person you are assessed on entries, approaches, extrications and spinal management.
Who lifeguard courses in Ulster County are for
Lifeguard courses in Ulster County are open to candidates aged 15 and over who can pass the prerequisite swim test. Most people who become a lifeguard in Ulster County go on to work at community pools, waterparks, school and university facilities and open-water sites across New York.
What lifeguard certification in Ulster County costs
A place in Ulster County costs $195. Included: the online modules, the practical skills session, and a certification lasting two years from the date of issue. Classes in Ulster County run throughout the year and you start online immediately.
More lifeguard training locations
- Lifeguard training in Warren County, New York
- Lifeguard training in Washington County, New York
- Lifeguard training in Wayne County, New York
- Lifeguard training in Wyoming County, New York
- Lifeguard training in Yates County, New York
- Lifeguard training in Alamance County, North Carolina
- Lifeguard training in Alexander County, North Carolina
- Lifeguard training in Alleghany County, North Carolina
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Last updated September 20, 2026