American Red Cross Aquatic Certifications
We offer American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor courses in a blended
learning format, which combines an online portion with an in-person session to practice
skills and demonstrate competency.
General Information
All in-person skills sessions are led by a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard
Instructor or WSI Instructor. Participants must complete the online portion in advance,
as they will practice and demonstrate the skills learned. Participants must attend
all dates in the skills session. No exceptions or make-up classes are allowed.
Upon successful completion, all certifications are good for two years.
In-person sessions are held at the USA Student Recreation Center at 51 Jaguar Blvd,
Mobile, AL. The building is #14 on the campus map.
Our courses are open to USA students, SRC members, and the general public.
Contact 251-460-6460 or aquatics@southalabama.edu for more information.
Course Prerequisites
All participants must pass the course prerequisites prior to registering. Participants
should email aquatics@southalabama.edu or call 251-460-6460 to schedule a prerequisite time.
Registration and Refunds
Upcoming course dates and registration can be found at our Campus Recreation Portal. Payment is due in full at the time of registration. There are no refunds for lifeguarding
and WSI courses. Participants must demonstrate course prerequisites prior to registering.
Participants who cannot attend all or part of their registered course may transfer
to another course within one year based on space availability. To reschedule, email
aquatics@southalabama.edu a minimum of two weeks prior to a new course start date with a request to attend;
no spot will be automatically held.
If you have trouble using our portal, we will be happy to meet you at the front desk
of the Student Recreation Center to help you register and pay. Please email aquatics@southalabama.edu to set up an appointment. Per university policy, we are unable to take credit card
payments over the phone.
Waiver
All certification participants must digitally sign this waiver. The waiver is good for one year and must be on file before the start of a certification
course. A parent or guardian must sign the waiver for participants under age 18.
Course Descriptions
▼ Lifeguard Certification
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.
Prerequisites:
- Minimum age of 15 years old by the end of the course
- Complete the Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence:
- Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim
150 yards.
- After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the water without support
for two minutes by treading. While treading you can only use your legs. Place hands
under the armpits and head above the surface of the water.
- After maintaining position at the surface for two minutes, swim 50 more yards.
- While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating
good breath control.
- You may use the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the
back or side is not permitted.
- Swim goggles are allowed.
- 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.
Course Content:
- Lifeguard skills
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer
- First Aid
▼ Lifeguard Recertification
The American Red Cross allows currently certified lifeguards and those who have expired
by no more than 30 days to recertify. Must provide proof of valid Lifeguard, CPR
for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid certification. If your certification has
expired by more than 30 days you must take the full course.
Prerequisites:
- Complete the Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence:
- Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim
150 yards.
- After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the water without support
for two minutes by treading. While treading you can only use your legs. Place hands
under the armpits and head above the surface of the water.
- After maintaining position at the surface for two minutes, swim 50 more yards.
- While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating
good breath control.
- You may use the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the
back or side is not permitted.
- Swim goggles are allowed.
- 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.
Course Content:
- Lifeguard skills
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer
- First Aid
▼ Water Safety Instructor
The Water Safety Instructor course certifies swimming instructors to teach American
Red Cross swimming, diving and water safety programs.
Prerequisites:
- 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
