American Red Cross Classes

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course is open to strong swimmers who are at least 15 years old. It includes training and certification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, AED, and Oxygen administration.

This is a blended learning course that combines online and in-person learning.  The online coursework will take approximately 6-8 hours, and the in-person training and testing will take approximately 24 hours.  All online work must be completed before 3 p.m. on April 12, 2024.

All candidates must pass the pre-course testing, which includes the following:

Prerequisite 1:  Combine a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest.

1. Jump into deep water and totally submerge yourself, then resurface. Then, swim 150 meters using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.

2. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water only using the legs.

3. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.

Prerequisite 2:  Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

Swim 300 meters continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.  Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.  Swim goggles may be used.

a. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards.  The face may be in or out of the water.  Swim goggles are not allowed.

b. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.

c. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface.  Candidates may not swim the distance under water.

d. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Class meeting times:
Friday, April 12, 2024, 5 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 2024, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fees:

Your fee includes the Lifeguarding textbook and a rescue breathing mask.  You may pick up your textbook after you have registered.  You will receive your mask at the first class session.

YWCA Member:  $300
Non-Member:  $330

Registration is now open and will close at 3 p.m. on April 10, 2024.

Click here to register!

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Recertification Course is offered to currently certified lifeguards who wish to renew their certification. Participants who successfully complete the Lifeguarding course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED with Emergency Oxygen Administration, valid for two years.

Participants must be at least 16 years old. This is a blended learning course that combines online learning and in-person learning. The online coursework will take approximately 6 hours, and participants must attend all in-person skill sessions. The in-person skill session is scheduled to take 3.25 hours.

Registration is now open! Click here to register.

Course fees:

YWCA Aquatic Staff Member:  $50.00

YWCA Member:  $160.00

Non-Member:  $175.00

The Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers Online Course focuses on developing an awareness of the risks of drowning and how to minimize those risks, especially for young children. This online course teaches parents and caregivers about the concepts of the circle of drowning prevention, water competency and the chain of drowning survival. It also provides guidance for applying water safety to common environments and situations where children are most at risk for drowning.

Course Details

This is a free online course offered by the American Red Cross.  You will need to register for the course through the American Red Cross website. At the end of the course you will receive a certificate that does not expire.

Click here to register and complete the required online coursework.

Additional Water Safety Resources for Parents & Caregivers

• American Red Cross, Water Safety Resources for Adults
• American Red Cross, Water Safety Resources for Kids
• National Drowning Prevention Alliance, Water Safety Resources for both Kids and Adults
• CDC, Water Safety Resources for Adults

Questions?

Please contact and submit it to gro.grubsyttegacwy@ofni for more information.

Lifeguarding and First Aid/CPR/AED Courses

Cancellation & Refund

Please be aware that because of the nature of American Red Cross courses, participant slots are limited. For this reason, we require 48 hours’ advanced notice prior to the first scheduled in-person skill session if you wish to withdraw from the course.

We will offer a full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee, for participants who provide 48 hours advanced notice of their withdrawal from the course prior to the first scheduled in-person skill session.

There will be no refunds for participants who do not provide 48 hours’ advanced notice of their withdrawal. 

Course Failure

Pre-requisite Testing (Lifeguarding course only)

Registration and a non-refundable fee of $25 are required for participation in the pre-requisite testing. 

Online Coursework

Failure to complete all required online coursework prior to the first in-person skill session will result in being dismissed from the course. We do not offer refunds to participants who fail to complete their required online coursework. 

In-Person Skill Session

Failure to complete all required online coursework prior to the first in-person skill session will result in being dismissed from the course. We do not offer refunds to participants who fail to complete their required online coursework. 

Final Written Exam & *Final In-Water Skill Scenarios (*Lifeguarding only)

Failure to successfully pass either the final written exam or final skills scenarios will result in course failure.  We do not offer refunds to participants who do not successfully pass either the final written exam or final skills scenarios. Participants who fail to successfully pass either the final written exam or final skills scenarios are not eligible for a course refund and will not receive certification. 

Participant Behavior

Participants whose behavior does not align with American Red Cross or the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County standards will be dismissed from the course immediately, will be charged for the full amount of the course, and will not receive certification.