Lifeguard Instructor Class

Course Purpose
The purpose of the American Red Cross r. 24 Lifeguarding Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach the basic-level courses in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program.

The Course Prerequisites are:
▪ Be at least 17 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding Instructor 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 to continue in the course. (Entry, Swimming approach, Surface dive in deep water (7 to 10 feet), Passive submerged rescue, Rapid extrication (with an assisting rescuer), Rapid assessment, & Single-rescuer CPR )

Course Length
The Lifeguarding Instructor course is delivered in a blended learning format, consisting of an online session (completed independently by the candidate) and in-person sessions (led by an American Red Cross–certified instructor trainer).  The online session for the instructor course takes approximately 2 hours to complete.   The instruction time for the in-person sessions, including the precourse session, is 16 hours. The instruction time does not include time for breaks or transitions.

Course Materials (Not Included In The Price)
Lifeguarding instructor candidates should obtain and review the following r. 24 American Red Cross course materials prior to attending the Lifeguarding Instructor course:
▪ Lifeguarding Instructor’s Manual (candidates are required to bring a print version of this manual to the in-person sessions of the instructor course).
▪ Lifeguarding Instructor’s Deck Book (optional)
▪ Lifeguarding Manual (digital or print version)
▪ Lifeguarding course videos (available to download from the Red Cross Learning Center, included in the Lifeguarding Course Presentation for Instructor-Led Training, or by purchasing the Lifeguarding DVD set)
▪ Lifeguarding Course Presentation for Instructor-Led Training (available to download from the Red Cross Learning Center).
Digital materials and video are available on the Lifeguarding Instructor Candidate’s Page of the Red Cross Learning Center (redcrosslearningcenter.org/s/instructor-candidate-resources)
Print materials, the DVD, and a Lifeguarding Instructor’s Kit that includes all required materials for teaching the Lifeguarding course are available for purchase on the Red Cross Store (redcross.org/store).

Successful Completion
To successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor course and receive a Lifeguarding Instructor certification, candidates must:

• Successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor Course online session.
• Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario.
• Successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor skill practice and polish session, demonstrating all skills
• Practice Teaching Assignment I
• Practice Teaching Assignment II
• Demonstrate instructor-level skill competency in all skills. This means being able to demonstrate all of the skill steps as they are written, in the correct order, and in accordance with the proficiency criteria to meet the objectives of the skill.
• Successfully pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent.

Certification
Candidates who successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor course will be issued the following American Red Cross certificate: Lifeguarding Instructor, valid for 2 years.
To maintain the Lifeguarding Instructor certification, the instructor must successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor Recertification blended learning course within the 2-year certification period.
If the instructor certification is expired, the instructor is eligible to participate in the Lifeguarding Instructor Recertification course for up to, but no longer than, 1 year past the Lifeguarding instructor certification expiration date. This 1-year grace period applies only to achieving recertification. It does not extend the instructor certification and the instructor may not teach courses during this time.
Instructor Trainer