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How should I prepare for Lifeguard Training?

How To Prepare For Lifeguard Certification?

  • I'm planning on taking the Lifeguard training class this March, and have no idea what to expect. I'm a High School cross country runner, but I kind of lack in the upper-body strength department. I'm not a poor swimmer, but I'm not fast. Swimming the laps isn't a problem, but being timed might be. And I've never swam competitively before, so I don't know different strokes and what-not. How should I prepare for the tests? What should I know before going into it? Thanks in advance! :D

  • Answer:

    First answer is incorrect. But that person is not a lifeguard. The test will vary depending on who certifies you. The American Red Cross asks for a 300 yd untimed swim. Another agency requires 500 yds. You must be able to do freestyle, breaststroke, be able to surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet and retrieve a 10 pound brick and swim at least 20 yds with it. Figure out where you want to work, ask them what agency certification they will accept, and ask if there's additional testing because some places require additional testing. You should be able to pass the ARC certification in a month if you swim 500 yards at least 4 days a week and work on your stamina. You're already in great shape if you're running cross country and the test isn't that hard. There's not as many jobs as there used to be. You'll still get certified if you pass the tests but it doesn't mean you'll be able to get a job. The cost is $150 -$200. If you don't pass, the ARC will issue a partial refund.

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The lifeguard instructor's manual says: "The individual should not be judged on stroke mechanics, but rather on his or her overall demonstration of swimming strength, endurance and comfort in the water." For each of the prerequisite swim tests you are required to use "rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick." Instructor's material says: "Rhythmic breathing is a breathing pattern in which a swimmer breathes in and out while performing a stroke. The swimmer can breathe to the side or by lifting his or her head forward ... a stabilizing, propellant kick keeps a swimmer in a horizontal position and effectively propels him or her forward in the water. If the swimmer does not have an effective kick, he or she will have to expend more energy with the arm stroke to move forward and stay near the surface of the water."

Saad

If you can swim 20 lengths of a high school pool (20 x 25 = 500 yards) in 10 minutes, you'll do fine. To be a lifeguard you don't need to know the competitive strokes. Your instructors will teach you the life-saving strokes. If you can find a pool in which to swim, it would probably behoove you to start swimming as many days per week as you can spare and get to where you can swim 1000 to 1500 yards. The swim does not have to be continuous. Actually, you'll get in better shape by swimming something like twenty 50 yard swims taking 10 - 15 seconds rest between each one. Or do the same, starting a new 50 every 65 seconds. You'll do fine.

academicjoq

Swim 16 straight laps anystroke. Know how to dive. Have heart. Its an easy course. Anyone can pass.

Jake

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