Lifeguards swimming in pool

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 #12 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