Thank you for your interest in the Red Cross Lifeguard Course. 

This course follows a blended learning model, which combines online coursework with in-person sessions. You will receive an email from the American Red Cross with instructions for accessing the online course content a couple of weeks before the first in-session date. To get started, log in to the Red Cross Learning Center and from your home page, click on the class. Please plan to complete all of the assigned online course modules at least 2 days prior to the in-person session. The online course content (16 modules) is designed to be completed in approximately 6 hours, with each module taking between 15 and 30 minutes to complete. You may require more or less time to complete each module. I recommend beginning the online coursework as soon as possible to ensure that you are able to complete all of the assigned online modules in advance of the corresponding in-person sessions. The in-person session will take place at Forge Fitness (100 Dayton Street) in Lynden on the following dates:

Saturday, January 24th 11:00 am-8:00 pm

Sunday, January 25th 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Cost: $275 (Once registered, payment information will be emailed to you.)

To register, please fill out the information below.

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to: 

■ Prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies in both shallow water (less than 7 feet) and deeper water (7 feet or more). 

■ Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) professionals take over. 

 To enroll in the Lifeguarding course, you must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session and be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place during the first in-person session. 

■ Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs. 

■ Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive (head-first or feet-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.

Please bring a swimsuit and towel for the skills evaluation and for every class. 

To successfully complete the course, you must attend the entire course, successfully complete the online portion, participate in all skill sessions/drills, activities and scenarios, demonstrate competency in all required skills and scenarios, and pass the final written exams with a minimum grade of 80 percent. 

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid, valid for 2 years. This will allow you to work as a lifeguard at any pool or aquatics facility.

Please be aware that the skill practice sessions in the Lifeguarding course involve strenuous physical activity. If you have any concerns about your ability to participate fully in class (for example, because of a medical condition or disability), please contact me before the first in-person session to discuss possible accommodations. You may also wish to speak with a healthcare professional before the first in-person session.