LIFEGUARD TRAINING HEADQUARTERS – Your Center for Life Guard Training
Mercer County is located in west-central North Dakota along the Missouri River, with Stanton as its county seat. The county is home to the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site and is a center of the state’s lignite coal mining and power generation industry.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Mercer County’s working communities.
Lifeguard training in Mercer County, North Dakota at a glance
Mercer County, North Dakota pricing is $195.00 for 27.5 hours of training, 7.5 of them online and 2 days in person, with a minimum age of 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 Mercer County, North Dakota.
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 pools and recreation programs serving Stanton, Beulah, Hazen, and Golden Valley.
Core Curriculum
In Mercer 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: Manage suspected spinal injuries in the water, which is where handling errors do the most harm.
CPR & AED Training
- High-Quality Compressions: Rate and depth to standard, with complete chest recoil every time.
- AED Operation: Get the pads in the right place and work the unit into the cycle with minimal downtime.
- Rescue Breathing: Apply the appropriate breath ratio for each casualty age group.
Mercer County Lifeguard Certification Requirements
To enroll in Mercer 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.
- Spotting and treating shock, heat illness and the other medical emergencies that occur poolside.
How It Works: The Path to Certification
Training for Mercer 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: Attend in person, pass the water prerequisite, then pass the rescue skills evaluation.
- Step 4: Complete certification by passing the final written assessment.
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 dry towels minimum, plus warm clothing to keep your core temperature up 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 Mercer County earn a Certification from American Aquatics and Safety Training covering Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, valid for two years.
Curriculum review runs 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 Mercer County?
With Missouri River access and community pools serving Beulah and Hazen, Mercer County families and employers rely on lifeguards holding a portable two-year credential.
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 Mercer 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
Positions on beaches, oceans and waterfronts frequently call for open-water or waterfront rescue training that a standard pool certification does not include.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lifeguard Training in Mercer 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?
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 North Dakota by County
- Lifeguard classes in McIntosh County
- Lifeguard classes in McKenzie County
- Lifeguard classes in McLean County
- Lifeguard classes in Morton County
- Lifeguard classes in Mountrail County
- Lifeguard classes in Wells County
- Lifeguard classes in Bowman County
- Lifeguard classes in Dunn County
- Lifeguard classes in Griggs County
- Lifeguard classes in Pembina County
For the complete list, see lifeguard training in North Dakota.
Enroll in a lifeguard class in Mercer County
$195 Expect 27.5 hours: online coursework plus one skills session in person. The resulting certification is valid for two years.
Scheduling and delivery are handled by our training partner, American Aquatics & Safety Training.
Lifeguard classes in Mercer County: what to expect
The format in Mercer County does not vary: online modules, then one practical session assessed in the water. Mercer County certification is issued after the rescue, CPR/AED and First Aid components are passed, totalling 27.5 hours.
The format of a lifeguard course in Mercer 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 Mercer County
Lifeguard courses in Mercer 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 Mercer County typically work at municipal pools, waterparks, campus aquatic centers and waterfronts across North Dakota.
Cost of lifeguard certification in Mercer County
Expect $195 for a Mercer County course, which includes the online modules, the practical skills assessment and a two year certification. Mercer County schedules classes across the whole year.
More lifeguard training locations
- Lifeguard training in Morton County, North Dakota
- Lifeguard training in Mountrail County, North Dakota
- Lifeguard training in Nelson County, North Dakota
- Lifeguard training in Oliver County, North Dakota
- Lifeguard training in Pembina County, North Dakota
- Lifeguard training in Pierce County, North Dakota
- Lifeguard training in Ramsey County, North Dakota
- Lifeguard training in Ransom County, North Dakota
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Last updated September 20, 2026