Lifeguard Certification Class

Lifeguarding courses provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

All courses offered at the Muscatine Community YMCA follow the blended learning, intensive course outlines. This requires candidates to complete online learning modules prior to the in-person sessions.

Lifeguarding Course Candidates must be at least 15 years old by the last day of the in-person course, and must complete the required swimming skills prerequisites prior to receiving access to the online sessions. The prerequisite skills assessments include a swim-tread-swim sequence and a timed skill in which candidates are required to retrieve a 10-pound object from a depth of 7-10 feet, return to the surface and swim 20 yards, and exit the pool without the use of stairs or a ladder.

Throughout the course, participants will learn and be evaluated on knowledge and skills related to lifeguarding, water rescues, extrications, CPR, AED and First Aid. 

To obtain a two-year Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, candidates must complete the online lessons, be present at and actively participate in all in-person course sessions, successfully demonstrate all required skills and pass a written exam. 

Course fees include all certification fees, online lesson access, course materials, and individual rescue equipment.

Course dates, times, and pricing will be shared on our social media pages and our website at www.muscatiney.org as soon as they are available.