All participants and/or the guardian of participants under age 18 must sign a waiver of liability in order to participate in any training or activities conducted by Guards Get Trained, LLC.       Minor Liability Waiver       Adult Liability Waiver       COVID Waiver


Age Requirement

All participants must be 15 years old or older before the last day of the Lifeguarding Course.


Pre-Course Swim Evaluation

All participants in the Lifeguarding & Lifeguarding Review Course must successfully complete the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation.

Individuals that do not swim regularly (for distance) are STRONGLY encouraged to review the detailed skill performance expectations and practice these skills prior to registering for a Lifeguarding Course.  A "perfect stroke" isn't required but basic stroke technique and endurance are required. Participants should take the time to train and prepare in advance of the swim evaluation to ensure that are ready and able to succeed.  The $50 deposit for the Lifeguarding Course is not refunded for participants that are unsuccessful in completing the pre-course swim skills evaluation.  Smithfield Recreation & Aquatic Center may offer opportunities to practice and prepare for the pre-course swim evaluation. Contact Laura Crumpler at 919-934-1408 for more information.  

Click to view the detailed skill performance expectations

​Click to view the YouTube video demonstration of skills performed

(holding the brick off your chest like the swimmer in the video is NOT required - refer to the detailed skill performance expectations) 


​IMPORTANT:

  • Participants in the Lifeguarding Course that are unable to successfully complete the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation cannot be allowed to continue in the course and will forfeit their $50 non-refundable deposit.  
  • Participants that do not show up for the Lifeguarding Course Pre-Course Swim Evaluation will forfeit the $50 non-refundable deposit.  
  • Participants that choose to withdraw from a Lifeguarding Review Course must submit a request in writing via email. Withdrawal requests received 10 or more days prior to the start of the Lifeguarding Review course may receive a refund minus a $50 administrative fee. Withdrawal requests received less than 10 days prior to the start of the Lifeguarding Review course will NOT receive a refund. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances but are not guaranteed.   
  • Participants that do not show up or that cannot successfully complete the Lifeguarding Review Course are not eligible to receive a refund or credit for any portion of the course fee.
  • To successfully complete a Lifeguarding Review Course during the course participants must:
    • ​Present their current or expired for less than 30 days American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification and acceptable form of identification.
    • Successfully complete the Pre-course Swim Evaluation.
    • Perform all Lifeguarding Skills demonstrating competency in the critical components of each skill.
    • Successfully complete the course final skill scenarios.
    • Pass the written exams with a score of 80% or better.
    • Attend and participate in 100% of all class sessions.


Pre-Course Swim Evaluation includes the items below 

  1. 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.
  2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
  3. Complete a timed skill within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Goggles may NOT be used for this skill.
  • 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 the surface and swim 20 yards on their 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
    underwater.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.


Refunds & Attendance

The $50 Lifeguarding Course deposit is non-refundable. Upon successful completion of the Pre-course Swim Evaluation, the remaining balance of the course fee is due.  Once paid the full course fee is non-refundable in most cases.  Participants that do not pass the course or that are asked to leave the course due to disruptive behavior will not be granted a refund. Participants that do not complete the required online portion of the course by the deadline cannot continue in the course and refunds/transfers/make-ups will not be granted. In extenuating circumstances, requests for refund/credit (partial or whole) or transfer to another class will be considered on a case by case basis but are not guaranteed.


100% class attendance and participation are required. All participants must arrive by the scheduled start of the class and remain until the class is dismissed. Participants that do not maintain 100% attendance will not be able to successfully complete the course and receive certification. Refunds, transfers, and make-ups will not be granted to participants that fail to maintain 100% attendance.


Participants should be prepared to participate in both classroom and in-water activities throughout each class session. Participants should wear comfortable clothes for classroom activities, CPR, and first aid skills.  You may want to bring a sweatshirt in case the classroom area is cold.  Participants should bring a secure fitting swimsuit to all class sessions and have at least one towel (2-3 towels may be desired).  Individuals with long hair should tie their hair back for all water activities.  To receive certification participants must demonstrate competency in all rescue skills, successfully complete final skill scenarios, and pass the multiple-choice written exams with a minimum score of 80%.


Blended Learning - Online Portion of the Lifeguarding Course
This course has both an online learning portion and an in-person classroom portion. Details about how to register for and access the online portion of the program is provided by email after registration. The online portion of the course takes approximately 7-8 hours to complete. The online portion of the course must be completed prior to the first class session after the pre-course swim evaluation and proof of completion must be brought to that class session.  Participants that have not completed the online portion of the course by the deadline will forfeit all course fees.  No refunds, transfers, or deadline extensions will be granted.


Participant Manual

Participants must bring their Lifeguarding Participant manual (digital or paper copy) to each class session. The manual is available in PDF format on the American Red Cross website.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c_R1nCfA28fISseUbfBYZtUhfpBaCkGR


Age verification is required for this course. Participants must be 15 years old before the last day of the course and provide an official document that includes the participant's name and date of birth.

Terms & Conditions for Participation in Guards Get Trained, LLC programs & courses 

Superior Training for Professional Lifesavers

​Guards Get Trained

(202) 838-SWIM   GuardsGetTrained@gmail.com