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 man swimming in the pool with his arms out.

tread water for 2 minutes

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

300 yard continuous swim

A man swimming in the pool with his arms out.

timed brick event

  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. 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 2 minutes using only the legs. You should place your hands under your armpits.
  • Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
  • Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object while keeping your face at or near the surface so you are able to get a breath. You should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or 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.

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: $515

Lifeguard Training
Re-certification: $375
($300 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

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Lifeguard Training

Lifeguard Training – March 26, March 27, March 28, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – April 2, April 3, April 4, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – April 13, April 20, April 27, 2024 (Saturdays)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – April 14, April 21, April 28, 2024 (Sundays) class is full, please make another selection

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 4, May 11, May 18, 2024 (Saturdays)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 5, May 12, May 19, 2024 (Sundays)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 14, May 15, May 16, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 21, May 22, May 23, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – May 28, May 29, May 30, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 2, June 9, June 16, 2024 (Sundays)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 4, June 5, June 6, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 11, June 12, June 13, 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 17, June 18, June 20, 2024 (MON, TUS, THURS)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – June 24, June 25, June 26, 2024 (MON, TUS, WED)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – July 6, July 7, July 13, 2024 (SAT, SUN, SAT)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – July 27, July 28, August 3, 2024 (SAT, SUN, SAT)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – October 6, October 13, October 20, 2024 (Sundays)

$515.00
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Lifeguard Training – December 27, December 28, December 29, 2024 (FRI, SAT, SUN)

$515.00
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Recertification

LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- March 2, March 9, March 16, 2024 (SAT, SAT, SAT)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- March 3, March 10, March 17, 2024 (SUN, SUN, SUN)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- March 24, April 6, April 7, 2024 (SUN, SAT, SUN)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- March 26, March 27, March 28 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- April 2, April 3, April 4 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- April 13, April 20, April 27, 2024 (SAT, SAT, SAT)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- April 14, April 21, April 28, 2024 (SUN, SUN, SUN), class is full, please make another selection

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 4, May 11, May 18, 2024 (SAT, SAT, SAT)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 5, May 12, May 19, 2024 (SUN, SUN, SUN)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 14, May 15, May 16 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 21, May 22, May 23 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- May 28, May 29, May 30 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 2, June 9, June 16, 2024 (SUN, SUN, SUN)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 4, June 5, June 6 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 11, June 12, June 13 2024 (TUE, WED, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 17, June 18, June 20 2024 (MON, TUE, THURS)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- June 24, June 25, June 26 2024 (MON, TUE, WED)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- July 6, July 7, July 13 2024 (SAT, SUN, SAT)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- July 27, July 28, August 3 2024 (SAT, SUN, SAT)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- October 6, October 13, October 20, 2024 (SUN, SUN, SUN)

$375.00
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LIFEGUARD RE-CERTIFICATION- December 27, December 28, December 29 2024 (FRI, SAT, SUN)

$375.00
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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.

Gallery

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