American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor Course

Course Overview

The Lifeguarding Instructor course prepares instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses. Candidates learn to plan and deliver effective training sessions, evaluate participant skills, and manage course administration using Red Cross program materials.

Prerequisites

• Minimum age of 17 by the last day of the course.
• Possess a current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. Note: r.17 Lifeguarding certification accepted.
• Obtain instructor and participant course materials before starting the course.
• Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course prior to the precourse session.
• Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario evaluating:
  • Entry
  • Swimming approach
  • Surface dive in deep water (7–10 feet)
  • Passive submerged rescue
  • Rapid extrication (with an assisting rescuer)
  • Rapid assessment
  • Single-rescuer CPR (3 minutes)

Course Format and Length

This is a blended learning course consisting of an online session (completed independently) followed by instructor-led classroom and in-water sessions.

• Online session: approximately 2 hours to complete.
• In-person sessions (including the precourse): 16 hours of instruction time. This does not include breaks or transitions; additional time should be scheduled to accommodate those.

Upon successful completion, participants earn the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certification.

Course Materials

Lifeguarding Instructor candidates should obtain and review the following r.24 materials before attending:

• Lifeguarding Instructor’s Manual (print copy required for in-person sessions)
• Lifeguarding Instructor’s Deck Book (optional)
• Lifeguarding Manual (digital or print)
• Lifeguarding course videos (via Red Cross Learning Center download, included in the Lifeguarding Course Presentation, or available as a DVD set)
• Lifeguarding Course Presentation for Instructor-Led Training

Digital materials and video are available in the Red Cross Learning Center. Print materials and kits can be purchased via the Red Cross Store.

Red Cross Learning Center · Red Cross Store

What You Will Learn

• How to teach and evaluate Red Cross Lifeguarding course participants
• Effective demonstration, practice, and feedback strategies for in-water skills
• Using the Instructor Manual, course outlines, and Red Cross administrative tools
• Setting up safe training environments and managing scenarios

Who Should Take This Course

Experienced lifeguards looking to become instructors at pools, aquatic centers, municipalities, universities, camps, and private facilities.

Successful Completion

• Successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor Course online session.
• Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario.
• Successfully complete the skill practice and polish session, demonstrating instructor-level competency in:
  • Entries and approaches
  • Active rescues at the surface
  • Passive rescues at the surface
  • Passive submerged rescues in shallow, moderate-depth and deep water
  • Feet-first and head-first surface dives in deep water
  • Rapid extrication using a backboard
  • Putting on gloves with wet hands
  • Two-rescuer CPR with AED for an adult
  • Surveillance and rotation procedures
  • Spinal motion restriction and extrication in shallow water
  • Multiple-Rescuer Team Response Scenarios
• Attend the entire course and actively participate in all class sessions and activities.
• Successfully complete teaching assignments (small group activities and practice teaching assignments I and II).
• Demonstrate instructor-level skill competency in all skills.
• Pass the final written exam with a minimum score of 80%.

Certification & Recertification

Candidates who successfully complete the course are issued the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certificate, valid for 2 years.

To maintain certification, instructors must successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor Recertification blended learning course within the 2-year certification period. If expired, instructors are eligible to participate in recertification for up to 1 year past expiration; this grace period does not extend certification and instructors may not teach during this time.

Courses must be led by an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer.

Ready to Get Started?

Check our current offerings or contact us to host a course at your facility. We regularly schedule classes in Vancouver, WA and San Luis Obispo, CA, and can travel for group trainings.