Training and Certification Opportunities

Aquatic Training and Certification Opportunities

The Tuolumne County Recreation Department offers a variety of training and certification opportunities for those interested in working in Aquatics.

Lifeguarding Certification

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard 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 (EMS) personnel take over. Upon successful completion of this course the student will be certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPRFPR/AED. This certification is good for 2 years.

Course Prerequisites:

• Participants must be at least 15 years of age by the last day of the course
• Students must pass a swimming test, which consists of the following:
  • Swim 300 yards continuously using the front crawl, breast stroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles are allowed.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards either front crawl or breast stroke, surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to the starting point with both hands holding the brick and exit the water without using a ladder within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Goggles are not allowed.

Course Information:

Lifeguard training sessions are offered each year as the need and interest dictates. Generally we offer two classes, the first session is held during the local high school’s spring break, and the second session is normally held at the end of the month of June. Class sizes are limited!

Course dates, times, locations and fees can be found in the current Parks and Recreation Activity Guide.

Register for a lifeguard training class online.

Water Safety Instructor

The purpose of the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach water safety, including the Basic Water Rescue and Personal Water Safety courses, six levels of Learn-to-Swim, three levels of Preschool Aquatics and two levels of Parent Child Aquatics.

Course Prerequisites:

• Participants must be at least 16 years by the last day of the course.
• Possess a Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) Certificate issued within the last year or possess a current national Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate
• Successfully complete the precourse session