Already certified? Keep your lifeguarding certification current! American Red Cross Lifeguarding certifications are valid for 2 years. To remain certified, you must complete a Lifeguarding Recertification course no later than 30 days after your certification expires. If your certification has been expired for more than 30 days, you must enroll in the full Lifeguarding Certification course.

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding Recertification course is designed for currently certified lifeguards who need to renew their American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) certification with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. Participants will review and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain their certification.

Prerequisites:

• Participants must hold a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) certification with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid (Not Expired)
• Successfully completed all required online course modules 2 days prior to the first in-person class session
• On the first in-person class session: you must be able to complete the following physical prerequisite skills:
  • Prerequisite 1, Swim-Tread-Swim-Sequence: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs, and then swim 50 yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control.  Candidates may swim the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination.
  • Prerequisite 2, Timed Event (1 minute, 40 seconds): Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using only front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with both hands on the object with your head at or near the surface, and exit the water without using the ladder or steps. The time stops when brick and candidate is out of the water on deck.  Before the first in-person session, if you need time to practice the prerequisite skills, please contact Afton Bradley in advance.

Location: Indianola Wellness Campus, 306 E. Scenic Valley Ave., Indianola, IA 50125

Class times (Both days must be attended): Saturday & Sunday

Attendance: Required on all scheduled in-person class dates

Refund Policy: Program fees are non-refundable.

Become a Lifeguarding Instructor!

Take the next step in your aquatic career, become a leader, train future lifeguards, and make a lasting impact on water safety!

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor (LGI) course prepares you to teach and certify lifeguards in Lifeguarding, Waterpark Skills, and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers. With a current student-level Waterfront Skills certification, you may also qualify to teach Waterfront Skills.

This certification is more than a résumé booster. It is an opportunity to mentor lifeguards, lead weekly or monthly in-service trainings, strengthen emergency preparedness, and prepare for future aquatic leadership and management positions. Help build a team that takes pride in its work, keeps facilities safer, and gives families confidence in the places they choose to swim.

This blended-learning course includes:

• Online learning: Approximately 2 hours, completed independently.
• In-person & in-water instruction: 22 hours, led by an American Red Cross-certified instructor trainer.

Certification Requirements

Candidates must:

• Be at least 17 years old by the last day of the in-person course session.
• Hold a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. The r.17 Lifeguarding certification is accepted.
• Obtain required instructor and participant course materials before the course.
• Complete the online course session 2 days prior to the first in-person class session
• Successfully pass the prerequisite skill assessment on the first day of the in-person session, including entries, swimming approaches, a deep-water surface dive, passive submerged rescue, rapid extrication with an assisting rescuer, rapid assessment, and three minutes of single-rescuer CPR.
• Attend all in-person sessions and actively participate in all course activities.
• Successfully complete small-group teaching activities and both practice teaching assignments.
• Demonstrate every required skill correctly, in the proper sequence, and according to the American Red Cross proficiency criteria.
• Pass the final multiple-choice exam with a minimum score of 80% (50 Questions).

Course Dates & Times: Attendance is required both days.

• Monday, December 21: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
• Tuesday, December 22: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM

Location: Indianola Wellness Campus
306 E. Scenic Valley Ave.
Indianola, IA 50125

View Location on Google Maps

Refund Policy: Program fees are non-refundable.

Your Experience Can Make a Difference: Don’t just be a lifeguard, become the person who develops the next generation of lifeguards. Build your leadership skills, share your knowledge, improve team performance, and help create a safer, more professional aquatic environment.

Make a Difference. Become a Lifeguard! The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course prepares you to be confident, capable, and ready to respond when it matters most. You’ll learn how to prevent aquatic emergencies, recognize potential dangers, and respond quickly and safely to emergencies in both shallow and deep water.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training, you’ll develop essential water safety skills and learn the proper techniques for responding to real-life emergencies. Training includes providing professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive. Take the plunge, learn lifesaving skills, and become a lifeguard!

Prerequisites:

• Successfully completed all required online course modules 2 days prior to the first in-person class session
• On the first in-person class session: you must be able to complete the following physical prerequisite skills:
  • Prerequisite 1, Swim-Tread-Swim-Sequence: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs, and then swim 50 yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control.  Candidates may swim the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination.
  • Prerequisite 2, Timed Event (1 minute, 40 seconds): Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using only front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with both hands on the object with your head at or near the surface, and exit the water without using the ladder or steps. The time stops when brick and candidate is out of the water on deck.  Before the first in-person session, if you need time to practice the prerequisite skills, please contact Afton Bradley in advance.

Location: Indianola Wellness Campus, 306 E. Scenic Valley Ave., Indianola, IA 50125

Class times (All 4 days must be attended): Saturdays & Sundays

Attendance: Required on all scheduled in-person class dates

Refund Policy: Program fees are non-refundable.

If you need to practice the prerequisites, please contact Afton Bradley, [email protected].

Become a Swim Instructor. Build Confidence. Make a Difference!

Turn your passion for swimming and water safety into an opportunity to teach others life-changing skills! The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) course prepares you to teach swimmers of all ages and abilities, from young children experiencing the water for the first time to adults looking to improve their swimming skills.

Through online learning, hands-on instruction, practice teaching, and skill development, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to lead engaging, effective, and safe swimming lessons. Upon successful completion, you will earn an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification, valid for two years, opening the door to opportunities to teach swimming, promote water safety, and help others reach their goals.

This blended-learning course includes:

• Online coursework: Approximately 7 hours of independent learning.
• In-person training: 2 scheduled days (23-24 hours) of instruction, swimming skills, and practice teaching led by an American Red Cross-certified instructor trainer.
• Course access: Online coursework will be sent by the instructor approximately 1–2 weeks before the first in-person session.

Certification Requirements: Candidates must

• Be at least 15 years old by the last day of the in-person course session.
• Obtain required participant course materials before the course.
• Complete the online course session 2 days prior to the first in-person class session
• Attend all in-person sessions and actively participate in all course activities.
• Successfully complete small-group teaching activities and both practice teaching assignments.
• Demonstrate the following swimming skills consistent with the American Red Cross Level 4 Stroke Performance Charts. You do not have to be perfect! The goal is to try your best, demonstrate your current abilities, and remain open to feedback and improvement. This course is an opportunity to develop your skills and grow as an instructor.
  • • Front Crawl: 25 yards
    • Back Crawl: 25 yards
    • Breaststroke: 25 yards
    • Elementary Backstroke: 25 yards
    • Sidestroke: 25 yards
    • Butterfly: 15 yards
    • Maintain a back float or sculling position for 1 minute in deep water.
    • Tread water for 1 minute.
    • Candidates should be comfortable swimming these strokes and maintaining themselves in deep water. Come prepared to challenge yourself, learn, and improve!
• Pass the final multiple-choice exam with a minimum score of 80% (50 Questions).

Location: Indianola Wellness Campus (IWC)
306 E. Scenic Valley Ave.
Indianola, IA 50125

View Location on Google Maps

Course Dates & Times: Attendance is required both days.

• Tuesday, December 29: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 30: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM

Attendance: Required on all scheduled in-person class dates

Refund Policy: Program fees are non-refundable.

Become an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and turn your swimming experience into a rewarding opportunity to teach others. Develop valuable instructional skills, help swimmers build confidence, and play an important role in promoting water safety in your community.