American Red Cross Lifeguard only Class
Spring 2026
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON
- Course Description
- Pre-course requirements
- Course Dates & Times
- Fees & Class Registration Link
- Facility Locations
American Red Cross Blended Learning Lifeguard Course Description
The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to:
■ Prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies.
■ Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) professionals take over.
■ You will learn foundational lifeguarding concepts: Recognizing distress and drowning, surveillance and scanning, and recognizing and preventing injuries. Water rescues and extrication, use of rescue equipment, and how to manage a suspected spinal injury victim.
Class materials: Pocket masks with one way valve, Whistle, Lanyard, and hip pack are included. Participants will be required to download the free participants manual. Participants MUST attend all classes and MUST successfully pass final written and final skills test to receive certification. This is a blended learning class. There is approximately 6 - 8 hours of online learning for you to do, on your own, followed by the in class skill sessions.
Upon successful completion of this course (including written and rescue skills testing), you will receive an American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPRO/AED/First Aid certificate which is valid for 2 years.
Must be 15 years old: By the completion of the course. Proof of age will be requested.
Lifeguard Only Pre-course Assessment:
Anyone taking any lifeguarding course MUST successfully complete all of the pre-course requirements.
- Swim-Tread-Swim (Goggles Allowed): Swim 150 yards (6 lengths of pool) continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing using front crawl or breaststroke, tread water for two (2) minutes using only your legs, and then swim an additional 50 yards (2 lengths of of pool)
- Timed Event (Goggles NOT Allowed): Complete within 1 minute, 40 seconds: Starting from the shallow end of the pool, swim 20 yards, surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound object from the deep end of pool, (7 to 10 feet), return to starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands while keeping your face at or near the surface, and exit water without using ladder or steps. LIFEGUARDS NEED TO OPEN THEIR EYES UNDERWATER. (contact lens wearers, please be aware of this)
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Participants MUST ATTEND ALL SESSIONS and MUST successfully pass written and skills test to receive certification.
All dates and times are MANDATORY.
LIMITED SPACING
Session 1:
Lifeguard Pre-course Swimming Assessment
Wednesday April 15: 6:30-7:30 pm (@AFC Pool)
Lifeguard Class Dates & Times
Weekdays April 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8: 5:15-7:45 pm (@AFC Pool)
Tuesday May 5: 5:30-9:30 pm (@Northampton High School / CPR/AED)
Saturday May 9: 10 am-3 pm (@AFC Pool)
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Fees (includes $25 non-refundable pre-course swimming assessment and all other materials)
Northampton Residents $360 Non-Residents $385
Participants who pass the Pre-Course Swimming assessment will receive a class syllabus, with access to the online course and participants manual
Session 2:
Lifeguard Pre-course Swimming Assessment
Wednesday June 3: 6:30-7:30 pm (@AFC Pool)
Lifeguard Class Dates & Times
Weekdays June 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18: 5:15-7:45 pm (@AFC Pool)
Monday June 15: 5:30-9:30 pm (@Northampton High School / CPR/AED)
Saturday June 20: 10 am-3 pm (@AFC Pool)
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Fees (includes $25 non-refundable pre-course swimming assessment and all other materials)
Northampton Residents $360 Non-Residents $385
Participants who pass the Pre-Course Swimming assessment will receive a class syllabus, with access to the online course
and participants manual.
Facility Locations:
POOL: Aquatic & Family Center at JFK Middle School, 100 Bridge Road, Florence, MA 01062
(Enter through back of the building, rear glass doors across from the tennis courts)
Call the Parks & Recreation Office, 413-587-1040, if you have any questions