Become a Swim Instructor & Lifeguard information page
Somerset Valley YMCA – Hillsborough, Somerville and Bridgewater
Certifications (Become a lifeguard, become a swim instructor)
The Somerset Valley YMCA offers training in lifeguarding and swim instruction. We offer lifeguarding courses designed to train qualified candidates in CPR, First Aid, Defibrillation, and Lifeguarding skills. (see course description below)
To train candidates to teach swimming we offer the Water Safety Instructor Course. For those people wishing to update their certifications we offer challenge courses in CPR/AED, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, and Lifeguarding.
Lifeguarding Course
Course Information:
The American Red Cross Lifeguarding program trains prospective lifeguards with the skills and knowledge necessary to keep patrons of aquatic facilities safe. This program includes the lifeguard training course with aquatic specific First Aid, CPR, and AED use. The course fee includes the book and a resuscitation mask. All students must show proof they will be at least 15 years old by the last day of the course. No exceptions will be made! Attendance at all classes is required for certification. A $15 deposit is required to register for the pretest. The remaining balance is due after completing the pretest, before the first class.
Pre – Test:Candidates must swim 300 yds continuously as follows – 100yds Front Crawl, 100yds Breaststroke, 100yds Front Crawl or Breaststroke. There is no time limit for the 300 yard swim. Additionally candidates must swim 20 yds, submerge 7 – 10 ft., and retrieve a ten-pound brick; swim, carrying the brick with both hands, 20 yds., and get out of the pool in 1 minute 40 seconds or less.
Water Safety Instructor Course
Course Information:
The purpose of the Water Safety Course is to train instructor candidates to teach swimming and water safety by developing their understanding of how people move in the water, how to teach the strokes, how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions, and how to evaluate participants’ progress. The FIT course, a prerequisite, is included for those who need it. A $15 deposit is required to register, and the balance is required upon successful completion of the pretest.
Prerequisites:
1. Be at least 16 yrs old by the last day of the course.
2. Have current ARC Instructor Authorization, or the have taken the Fit course within 1 year
NOTE: The Fit course will be given at no additional charge.
3. Be able to swim Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke, Elementary Backstroke, Sidestroke & Butterfly.
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Challenge Course
Course Information: This course is for students previously certified in CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, who need to recertify. This course covers adult, infant, & child CPR as well as AED’s, BVM’s, 2-rescuer CPR, and resuscitation masks. Students may also challenge the Oxygen Administration course at this time. All participants should review the material, prior to attending class.
Please Note: All students must have their own resuscitation mask to participate!
Lifeguarding Challenge Course –
Course Information: This course is for students previously certified in lifeguarding, who need to recertify. This program includes the lifeguard training course with aquatic specific First Aid, CPR, and AED use. All students must show proof they will be at least 15 years old by the last day of the course. Students must bring a resuscitation mask to class. Students may also challenge the Oxygen Administration courses at this time. A $15 non-refundable deposit is required to register for the pretest. The remaining balance is due after completing the pretest.
Pretest: Candidates must swim 300 yds continuously as follows – 100yds Front Crawl, 100yds Breaststroke, 100yds Front Crawl or Breaststroke. There is no time limit for the 300 yard swim. Additionally candidates must swim 20 yds, submerge 7 – 10 ft., and retrieve a ten-pound brick; swim, carrying the brick with both hands, 20 yds., and get out of the pool in 1 minute 40 seconds or less.
Please Note: All students must have their own resuscitation mask to participate!
