Lifeguard Training - Green Chimneys

Birds of a Feather are Healing Together at Green Chimneys

June 17, 2022

Lifeguard Training

American Red Cross Lifeguard and Waterfront Lifeguarding Courses at Green Chimneys

Lifeguard Training open for March & April

View Basic and Waterfront training course details below.
See Training Schedule & Fees for course times and registration.

Green Chimneys offers an all-inclusive training program that teaches the skills and knowledge needed by professional lifeguards to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies at swimming pool facilities as well as open water, non-surf waterfront facilities. All required CPR and first aid skills are included. The course meets all requirements for first-time certification and re-certification.

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification is to provide lifeguard candidates with the skills and knowledge to recognize, respond, and prevent aquatic emergencies. This course also provides the skills and knowledge to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency services can respond and take over. Lifeguards are the first contact when it comes to aquatic emergencies and must be able to respond as such.

Lifeguard Requirements

Must be 15 years old on or before the final scheduled date of the course.

For Basic Lifeguarding:

Must be able to swim 300 yards (12 laps) continuously and demonstrate breath control.
Must swim using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of the two strokes (swimming on the back or sides is not allowed).
Swim goggles may be worn

For Waterfront Lifeguarding:

Must be able to swim 550 yards (22 laps) continuously and demonstrate breath control.
Must swim using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of the two strokes (swimming on the back or sides is not allowed).
Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve 3 diving rings placed 5 yards apart, resurface, and then swim 5 more yards to end the sequence.
Swim goggles may be worn

For Basic AND Waterfront lifeguarding:

Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Arms should be placed under the armpits.
Complete a timed event (1 minute 40 seconds) as follows:
› Starting in the water, swim 20 yards to reach the location of a submerged 10-pound object.
› Surface dive either head-first or feet-first to retrieve the object from a depth of 7-10 feet under water. Return to the surface with the object.
› Swim 20 yards on your back, returning to the starting point. Both hands must be on the object and candidate’s face must be at the surface of the water (not falling under the water).
› Exit the water without using steps or a ladder.

Certification Requirements

Attend and participate in all scheduled class dates.

Demonstrate competency in all skills and activities.

Demonstrate competency in all final rescue skill scenarios.

Pass all written exams with a minimum passing grade of 80% or higher.

Peacock

Peacocks were the royal birds of Maharajas in India for centuries. Their beauty and impressive tail feathers make them an eye-catching addition to any landscape. At Green Chimneys, peacocks have roamed the campus freely for many years and the birds are a familiar and calming sight to students, staff and visitors. In late summer, the males shed their long tail feathers, an event eagerly anticipated by students who collect the feathers to decorate their dormitory rooms.