A pool lifeguard class covers the standard certification for guarding a swimming pool. This page explains the certificate itself so you know what to look for before you book a class anywhere. This page sets out what the course involves, what you need before you book and who it is meant for, so you can tell whether it is the certificate your facility is asking for.
What this certificate is for
The pool lifeguard class is written for a swimming pool with clear water, known depths and defined edges. This is the course most employers mean when they ask for a lifeguard certificate. Employers do not all use the same wording when they advertise a vacancy, so where a job description is vague it is worth asking which certificate they will accept on your first day rather than assuming.
Inside the course
You will be assessed on each of the following, in the water and on land:
- scanning and zone coverage
- recognising a distressed swimmer against an active bather load
- entries, approaches and tows
- spinal motion restriction in shallow and deep water
- removing a casualty from the water
- CPR and AED for the professional rescuer
- first aid
These are tested rather than simply shown to you, so expect a lot of repetition in the water and a written paper at the end. Candidates who struggle usually do so on stamina rather than on technique.
Before you sign up
Before booking a pool lifeguard class, you should be able to meet the entry requirements:
- swim 300 yards continuously using front crawl or breaststroke
- tread water for 2 minutes using legs only
- retrieve a 10 lb object from the deep end, surface, and swim 20 yards back
The swim test is a gate, not something the class teaches you, and it is where most people come unstuck. If you are not there yet, spend a few weeks building the distance before you book a seat.
Who should take it
Anyone guarding a pool at a club, school, camp, hotel or municipal facility. If you are not certain a pool lifeguard class is right for the job you have in mind, ask the facility what they require before you pay for a seat or call (800) 670-3391 and we will tell you what we see that kind of site asking for.
Frequently asked
How long is the certificate valid?
Most lifeguard certificates run for two years from the date you pass, with the CPR component sometimes on a shorter cycle. Check the expiry printed on your card rather than counting from memory.
Do I have to be a strong swimmer already?
Yes. The swim test is a gate, not something the class teaches you. If you cannot yet swim 300 yards continuously, spend a few weeks building that before you book.
What happens if I fail the swim test?
You will usually be offered another date rather than passed through. That is the point of the test, because the water does not grade on effort.
Related courses
If this is not the right fit, the closest alternatives are Shallow Water Lifeguard, Waterfront Lifeguard, Lifeguard Recertification. Each covers a different setting, and which certificate you need is decided by where you will be guarding rather than by preference.