Lifeguard Training & Certification
The Drexel Recreation Center offers lifeguard training and certification to teach participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.
Lifeguard Training
Cost: $200
The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries. Participants in course must be 15 years of age or older.
As part of this training, participants will:
- Understand the value of behaving in a professional manner.
- Learn how to identify behaviors of a swimmer, distressed swimmer and an active or passive drowning victim.
- Understand the components of an emergency action plan and how to activate it.
- Understand the general procedures for an emergency occurring in the water or on land.
- Demonstrate how to perform equipment-based rescues.
- Learn how to provide first aid and how to care for breathing and cardiac emergencies.
- Learn how to recognize and care for possible head, neck or back injuries.
CPR/AED for the Lifeguard and First Aid certifications are also included in this course.
Prerequisites for training/certification:
- Swim 300 yards continuously
- Starting in the water, swim 40 feet using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7–10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 40 feet back to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
Lifeguard Certification Challenge
Cost: $75
This course is a test of the skills taught in the Lifeguard Training course. Participants will demonstrate skills and take a written test to prove competency in the listed areas. No instructor assistance or materials will be provided with this course. Participants will need to bring materials and study in advance.
To schedule lifeguard training or certification, contact the Coordinator of Lifeguards & Safety at aquatics@drexel.edu or 215-895-5915.