Lifeguard and WSI Certifications
All courses are American Red Cross courses offered in a blended learning format, which
combines online learning with in-person sessions to practice skills and demonstrate
competency. In-person sessions are held at the USA Student Recreation Center at 51
Jaguar Blvd, Mobile, AL. The building is #12 on the campus map.
Upon successful completion, all certifications are good for two years.
Contact Stephen Fick, Aquatics Coordinator, at 251-460-6460 or sfick@southalabama.edu for more information or to schedule a course.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Course
This course provides entry level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills
to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies and provide care until emergency
medical services arrive and take over. You must pass a pretest and be at least 15
years old to take the course.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Courses are offered during Spring/Summer
semesters each year.
▼ In-person skills session - Lifeguard Certification
The in-person skills session will be led by a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard
Instructor. You will practice the lifeguard, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and
first aid skills you learned during the online portion of the certification. You
must attend all the dates in the skills session. No exceptions or make-up classes
are allowed.
▼ Course prerequisites - Lifeguard Certification
Everyone must pass the following pre-course skills which will be held during the first
in-person skill session:
- Swim 300 yards 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.
- Tread water for two (2) minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their
hands under the armpits.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20
yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface
dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound
object. Return to 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
so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
Exit water without using a ladder or steps.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Recertification
This recertification option is for lifeguards who are currently certified or expired
by no more than 30 days.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Recertification Courses are offered during Spring/Summer
semesters each year.
▼ American Red Cross recertification policy
The American Red Cross allows currently certified lifeguards and those who have expired
by no more than 30 days to recertify. If your certification has expired by more than
30 days you must take the full course.
▼ In-person skills session - Recertification
The in-person skill session will be led by a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard
Instructor. You will practice the lifeguard, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and
first aid skills you learned during the online portion of the certification. You
must attend all the dates in the skill session. No exceptions or make-up classes are
allowed.
▼ Course prerequisites - Recertification
Lifeguard Recertification participants must provide proof of valid Lifeguarding, First
Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certifications and pass the pre-course:
- Swim 300 yards 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.
- Tread water for two (2) minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their
hands under the armpits.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20
yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface
dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound
object. Return to 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
so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
Exit water without using a ladder or steps.
Water Safety Instructor
The Water Safety Instructor course certifies swimming instructors to teach American
Red Cross swimming, diving and water safety programs.
▼ In-person skills session - Instructor
The in-person skill session will be led by a certified American Red Cross WSI Instructor.
You must attend all the dates in the skill session. No exceptions or make-up classes
are allowed.
Certification requirements:
- Attend all class sessions; demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities;
correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions in the final written exam.
- Online Time: 7 hours
- Facility Time: 24 hours
▼ Course prerequisites - Instructor
- Minimum age of 16 years old.
- Demonstrate proficiency in six strokes: front crawl (freestyle), back crawl (backstroke),
elementary backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke, and butterfly (25 yards per stroke.)
- Tread water for 1 minute.
