top of page

Training Programs Available

Red Cross Lifeguard

Training and Certification

Our Lifeguard Certification Program equips individuals with the critical skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to maintain water safety and respond effectively to aquatic emergencies. This comprehensive, Red Cross-certified course is designed for those seeking employment as professional lifeguards or individuals responsible for supervising aquatic environments.

Through a blended learning format—which combines interactive online coursework with two full days of hands-on, instructor-led training—participants gain the necessary tools to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies in and around the water.

​

The program meets all requirements set by the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program, one of the most widely recognized and respected lifeguard training standards in the United States.

What the Course Covers:

​

  • Surveillance and Prevention: Learn how to maintain effective zone coverage, recognize potential hazards, and identify distressed swimmers early to prevent emergencies before they occur.

  • Water Rescue Techniques: Gain hands-on training in a range of rescue scenarios, including active and passive drowning victims, submerged rescues, and spinal injury management in the water.

  • CPR for the Professional Rescuer: Learn how to respond to cardiac emergencies with single- and multi-rescuer CPR, and how to properly use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on adults, children, and infants.

  • First Aid and Emergency Care: Understand how to provide immediate care for sudden illnesses, injuries, and environmental emergencies while waiting for advanced medical personnel to arrive.

  • Professional Lifeguard Responsibilities: Explore the ethical and professional expectations of lifeguards, including effective communication, teamwork, and interaction with facility patrons.

  • Legal and Facility Protocols: Learn about documentation, reporting, and maintaining a safe environment in accordance with national Red Cross standards.

​

Prerequisites for Enrollment:

Before participating in the in-person portion of the class, all candidates must complete the required online training and demonstrate competency in the following:

​

  • 300-yard continuous swim using front crawl or breaststroke

  • Treading water for 2 minutes using only the legs

  • Timed brick retrieval from a depth of 7 to 10 feet within 1 minute and 40 seconds

​

These prerequisites ensure all participants possess the foundational swimming and endurance skills needed to safely complete the program.

​

Certification Details:

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification, which includes:

​

  • Lifeguarding

  • First Aid

  • CPR (Adult, Child, Infant)

  • AED

​

Certification is valid for 2 years from the date of course completion and is nationally recognized by employers, aquatic facilities, and regulatory organizations.

Who Should Take This Course?

​

This course is ideal for:

​

  • Individuals seeking employment as lifeguards at pools, waterparks, resorts, and aquatic centers

  • Camp staff or aquatic team members

  • Swim instructors or recreational facility personnel

  • Anyone responsible for supervising aquatic environments

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor

Training and Certification

The NowLifeguard™ Lifeguard Instructor Certification Course is designed to prepare experienced lifeguards to become Red Cross-certified instructors, capable of teaching and certifying others in lifeguarding, CPR, first aid, and AED use. This course is ideal for individuals looking to take the next step in their aquatic career by gaining the leadership, teaching, and certification skills needed to train lifeguards at their facility or in their community.

​

This comprehensive, blended learning course combines self-paced online modules with two days of in-person instruction, practice teaching, and hands-on skill demonstration. By the end of this course, successful participants will be eligible to lead and manage lifeguard certification courses that meet Red Cross national standards.

​

Participants will learn to:

​

  • Deliver Red Cross lifeguarding courses using standardized curriculum and instructor tools

  • Manage and evaluate lifeguarding participants during classroom, pool, and testing sessions

  • Demonstrate and teach core rescue and surveillance skills

  • Coach students in CPR, AED use, and first aid with clarity and confidence

  • Adapt instruction to meet various learning styles and facility needs

  • Uphold Red Cross instructional standards and reporting procedures

​

What the Course Includes:

​

  • Instructor-level skill refinement in water rescues, spinal injury management, CPR/AED, and first aid

  • Guidance on classroom setup, communication, and managing a safe, effective learning environment

  • Practice teaching sessions and peer feedback

  • How to use Red Cross instructor manuals, videos, and online tools to run your own classes

  • Evaluation procedures for certifying lifeguard candidates

​

To enroll in the Lifeguard Instructor course, participants must:

​

  • Be at least 17 years old by the last day of the course

  • Hold a current American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED certification

  • Successfully complete the online portion of the instructor course before the in-person sessions

  • Pass a pre-course skills assessment, including lifeguard-level rescues and CPR demonstration

​

The pre-course assessment ensures that all candidates possess the necessary technical skills before moving into instructor training.

​

Certification Details:

Upon successful completion, participants will earn the American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certification, valid for 2 years. This certification allows you to:

​

  • Teach Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, and Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding courses

  • Certify students in First Aid, CPR, and AED through the Red Cross

  • Lead classes independently or on behalf of a Red Cross Licensed Training Provider (like NowLifeguard™)

​

To maintain this certification, instructors must meet Red Cross requirements for course reporting, skill maintenance, and periodic recertification.

​

Who Should Take This Course?

​

This course is ideal for:

​

  • Lifeguards with teaching potential who want to train others

  • Pool and facility supervisors who want to certify staff in-house

  • Camp, resort, or aquatics program leaders seeking training autonomy

  • Individuals looking to grow their resume and increase job opportunities in the aquatics industry

​

Why Choose NowLifeguard™?

​

At NowLifeguard™, we bring the instructor training to you. Whether you're preparing to launch your own training programs or need to certify an in-house instructor for your facility, we provide professional, on-site certification with expert guidance every step of the way.

​

Led by a seasoned Red Cross instructor and former U.S. Army combat medic, our classes blend real-world emergency experience with Red Cross educational standards. We keep class sizes small (6–10 participants) to maximize engagement and ensure each instructor candidate receives personalized support.

You bring the commitment—we bring the training.

bottom of page