A man and woman in the pool with a life raft.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training & Recertification

The American Red Cross blended learning format combines in-person skill sessions with online simulation to enhance the training experience.

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over. The candidate must be 15 years old by the last day of class.

Our student to instructor ratio for the skills portion of the class is generally 1 instructor to 6 students. The industry standard is 1 to 10. We find the extra input from quality, focused, and caring instructors makes a tremendous difference in learning. 

Lifeguard training prerequisites:

To participate in the course, student must be able to pass prerequisite skills evaluation that includes the following:

A person swimming in the pool with a yellow and blue line.

Swim-tread-swim sequence

A man swimming in the pool with his arms out.

Tread water for 2 minutes

A man swimming in the pool with his arms out.

timed brick event

Prerequisite 1: Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence (150/50 yards)

  • Jump into the water, completely submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards demonstrating good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
  • Tread water for two minutes with no hands. You should place your hands under your armpits.
  • Swim 50 more yards.

Prerequisite 2: Timed Event, 1 minute and 40 second to complete, no goggles.

  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in our out of water.
  • Surface dive (feet first or head-first) to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve 10 pound brick.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on back to return to the starting point, holding the brick at the surface with both hands and keeping face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.

If the student has not recently engaged in an activity geared towards increasing swimming endurance, or has not received formal swimming instruction, it is strongly advised that they participate in lifeguard training preparation classes.

Please contact us for further information.

Important Information

  • Lifeguard training includes First Aid, CPR & AED for the Professional Rescuer. Students will need an adult/pediatric CPR mask available for $20.
  • Additional work outside of class (approximately 7 hours for the online portion, plus reading and questions) is required to complete the class.
  • The online work, reading, and homework questions are made available to the student within 24 hours of registration.
  • The first assignment (approximately 4 hours online plus reading and questions) is due on the first day of class.
  • Students will need “pear” shaped adult & pediatric pocket masks or round “blob” pocket mask available for $20 on site if needed.
  • Approximately 6 hours for the online portion

REFUND POLICY

As most classes will close due to reaching maximum capacity, the following refund policy applies.

Please read carefully and make your class selection accordingly:

  • Cancelling within 5 full business days prior to start of class: no refund.
  • Cancelling prior to that: full refund less $75.00 cancellation fee.
  • Failed pre-test constitutes a cancellation: same policy applies.
  • Switching class dates within 72 hours of start of class (this includes arriving to class too late to start): $100.00 administration fee.
  • Switching class dates prior to that: no charge.

Complete printable form and mail in with check.

Fees

Lifeguard Training: $520

Lifeguard Training
Re-certification: $385
(($325 if certified with us previously. Contact us for more details.)

Location

Pace University, Goldstein Fitness Center
861 Bedford Road
Pleasantville, New York

Scuba New York
2037 Central Park Avenue
Yonkers, New York

Register Now

Lifeguard Training

Lifeguard Training – January 26, February 2, February 9, 2025 (Sundays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – February 18, February 19, February 20, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – February 23, March 2, March 9, 2025 (Sundays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – March 15, March 22, March 29, 2025 (Saturdays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – March 16, March 23, March 30, 2025 (Sundays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – April 5, April 12, April 26, 2025 (Saturdays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – April 6, April 13, April 27, 2025 (Sundays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – April 15, April 16, April 17, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 3, May 10, May 17, 2025 (Saturdays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 4, May 11, May 18, 2025 (Sundays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 13, May 14, May 15, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 20, May 21, May 22, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 27, May 28, May 29, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 1, June 8, June 15, 2025 (Sundays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 3, June 4, June 5, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 10, June 11, June 12, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 16, June 17, June 18, 2025 (MON, TUE, WED)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 23, June 24, June 25, 2025 (MON, TUE, WED)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – July 5, July 6, July 12, 2025 (SAT, SUN, SAT)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – October 5, October 12, October 19, 2025 (Sundays)

$520.00
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Lifeguard Training – December 27, December 28, December 29, 2025 (SAT, SUN, MON)

$520.00
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Recertification

LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- January 26, February 2, February 9, 2025 (Sundays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- February 18, February 19, February 20, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- February 23, March 2, March 9, 2025 (Sundays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- March 15, March 22, March 29, 2025 (Saturdays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- March 16, March 23, March 30, 2025 (Sundays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- April 5, April 12, April 26, 2025 (Saturdays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- April 6, April 13, April 27, 2025 (Sundays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- April 15, April 16, April 17, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 3, May 10, May 17, 2025 (Saturdays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 4, May 11, May 18, 2025 (Sundays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 13, May 14, May 15, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 20, May 21, May 22, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 27, May 28, May 29, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 1, June 8, June 15, 2025 (Sundays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 3, June 4, June 5, 2025 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 10, June 11, June 12, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 16, June 17, June 18, 2025 (MON, TUE, WED)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 23, June 24, June 25, 2025 (MON, TUE, WED)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- July 5, July 6, July 12, 2025 (SAT, SUN, SAT)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- October 5, October 12, October 19, 2025 (Sundays)

$385.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- December 27, December 28, December 29, 2025 (SAT, SUN, MON)

$385.00
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FAQ

Answer: The American Red Cross no longer allows students to renew with an expired certificate. Plan ahead and be sure to start looking for a class at least 3 months prior to expiration.

Answer:   The lifeguard certificate is good for two years.

Answer: CPR/AED for Lifeguards is valid for one year only in New York.

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Testimonials

This camp is awesome! My kids have been coming for years. Well organized organization. Camp Director is great to work with. Your children will learn to swim and have fun doing other crafts guaranteed!

Melissa

Our son has attended Westchester & Fairfield Swimming and Lifeguarding camp for the past 2 summers and he loves it! The counselors and coaches are very attentive/caring while teaching skills and having fun. This camp is a great way for children to enjoy their summer. We will definitely be back.

Divya

This is an amazing place to be if you want to become a lifeguard, they will help you in any possible way they can. 10/10 recommend Westchester & Fairfield swimming and lifeguarding to anyone.

Jonathan

Westfair Swim Camp was terrific! We originally enrolled for just 3 weeks but ultimately decided to extend for the full 5 weeks. My 5 yo twins truly enjoyed the camp. It was well organized and had a good mix of swimming instruction and summer camp activities.

Gerald

My daughter, Jillian, has been attending swim camp for the past seven years, and we can't say enough to highly recommend Westfair Swim Camp!! This camp is well organized with a full day that includes activities, crafts and swim instruction. The dedication of the counselors under the direction of Kate Palladino is second to none with their utmost attention to swimming skills, as well as, safety in and around the water!! Many thanks to the entire staff at Westfair Swim Camp for a top notch experience year after year that always leaves us looking forward to each and every summer at swim camp!!

Jan

"Wilson took another lifeguarding course in NJ and he told he learned nothing compared to the training you gave him. He says "Kate's training was a real lifeguard training." Thank you so much, it really makes a difference."

Evelyn from Tuckahoe

"Casper has really improved and all thanks to your program! It's very cute but he tells me every day: "They really know what they are doing here! They give you tips while you're swimming. They're great!" He's a total kitty cat in the water so this is a GLOWING recommendation!"

Lisa from Larchmont

"Rarely to never has Rory called me and told me what an awesome experience he had. He told me that your lifeguard teaching style was to not move on until everyone was caught up. He learned so much and felt like he had a real work out! I only wish he had you for Chemistry!

Colleen from Westchester

My daughter completed your lifeguard program. She just completed her CPR training (again) for the ambulance corp. The instructor commented on her depth of training and knowledge with CPR that which she learned from you. Just thought you might like to know! Thanks."

Krista from Pleasantville

"My twins had different skill sets, interest and strengths. They tailored their instruction for each of my kids. We highly recommend this camp!"

Gerald from Armonk

"Just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for another great swim camp. My children had a blast. Your staff was great. Your swim camp is number one on their list between all the other camps they attended."

Shideh from Bronxville

" I wanted you to know you are a 'rock star' in the Lifeguard world. You are very respected by pool supervisors and so my certificate is holding weight and not just being looked at as from some fly by night school."

Maryann from Irvington

" I have found Kate to be a professional, going above and beyond the call of duty. Kate maintains a great program with very high standards for herself and staff members. After attending other swimming organizations and experiencing frustration and disappointment in the past, I can honestly say that the Westchester and Fairfield Program is outstanding!"

Carolyn from Chappaqua

"I wanted to let you know that we received the certifications today and to thank you so much for the course. My son has been telling us how beneficial it was for him. He seemed amazed that it could be so much better than the other courses he has taken. I was a lifeguard myself and a volunteer EMT so I appreciate the fact that you inspired my son."

Cindy from Somers