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Lifeguard Training in Clackamas County, Oregon

Clackamas County stretches from the Portland metro suburbs to the Cascade foothills, with Oregon City as its county seat and Willamette Falls, one of the largest waterfalls by volume in the Pacific Northwest, marking its namesake river.
Get certified in professional lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid through a flexible, blended training program built for Clackamas County’s busy suburban pools and river-based recreation.
Lifeguard Training in Clackamas County

Lifeguard training in Clackamas County, Oregon at a glance

Clackamas County, Oregon: $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
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 Clackamas County, Oregon.

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 municipal and community aquatic facilities serving Oregon City, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Milwaukie, and Happy Valley.

Core Curriculum

In Clackamas County, two disciplines make up the coursework: water rescue and surveillance, then professional resuscitation.

Water Rescue & Surveillance

  • Active vs. Passive Recognition: Work a systematic scan and recognise both the active struggle and the passive, unconscious casualty.
  • Water Entries: Practise entries appropriate to shallow and deep water and to different deck configurations.
  • In-Water Stabilization: Apply in-water protocols for suspected spinal trauma without worsening the injury.

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: Deliver rescue breaths at the right ratio for adult, child and infant casualties.

Clackamas County Lifeguard Certification Requirements

To enroll in Clackamas County, candidates must meet the following age and physical performance requirements.

Minimum Age

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.
  • 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.
  • Identifying shock and heat illness early, and responding to other medical emergencies.

How It Works: The Path to Certification

Clackamas 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: Get in touch to book the practical session and confirm a date.
  • Step 3: Attend the session and satisfy both the physical prerequisite and the rescue evaluation.
  • Step 4: Finish by scoring a pass on the closing written evaluation.
Contact Us to Enroll

Packing Checklist for Your Skills Session

Pack the following for your skills day:
Proper swimwear icon

Proper Swimwear

A functional, athletic-style swimsuit designed for rigorous physical activity.

Towels and warm layers icon

Towels & Warm Layers

Two dry towels minimum, plus warm clothing to keep your core temperature up between drills.

Hydration and nutrition icon

Hydration & Nutrition

A water bottle you can refill, plus high-energy snacks for the demanding practical sessions.

Documentation icon

Documentation

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

Certification

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

As one of the Portland metro area’s most populous counties, Clackamas County supports numerous municipal swimming pools along with recreation on the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers, creating steady seasonal 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 Clackamas 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 Clackamas 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.
Yes. American Aquatics and Safety Training certifications follow the standards referenced by the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC).
Pack a swimsuit, towel, cap, dry clothes, drinking water and photo ID showing your age. You can wear goggles for the swimming element, though not for the object retrieval.
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 Oregon by County

For the complete list, see lifeguard training in Oregon.

Enroll in a lifeguard class in Clackamas County

$195 Total 27.5 hours, delivered as online modules and one in-person skills day. Certification is valid for two years.

Enroll now, $195

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

Lifeguard classes in Clackamas County: what to expect

Every Clackamas County class uses the same structure, online study followed by one pool session for assessment. The Clackamas County certification is awarded on passing the rescue, CPR/AED and First Aid components, which together run 27.5 hours.

The format of a lifeguard course in Clackamas 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 Clackamas County

Lifeguard courses in Clackamas 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 Clackamas County typically work at municipal pools, waterparks, campus aquatic centers and waterfronts across Oregon.

Cost of lifeguard certification in Clackamas County

A Clackamas County place is $195, covering online modules, the in-person skills assessment and certification good for two years. Classes in Clackamas County run at intervals throughout the year.

More lifeguard training locations

4.9 out of 5 ★★★★½ from 409 reviews of the lifeguard certification course.

If you are still deciding

Last updated September 20, 2026

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