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Red Cross Lifeguard?

I want to become a lifeguard for this summer and I understand I need to get my First Aid certificate. How much is that and the CPR certificate to just be a lifeguard in Los Angeles, CA?

Is the lifeguard certificate a seperate course?

Are they open on Sundays (Red Cross) so I can call?

Public Comments

1. The American Red Cross lifeguarding course includes first aid, CPR for professional rescuer (which includes AED [automated external defibrillator]), in addition to your lifeguarding certification.

It is one course and you will receive two certification cards. The cost of the course will vary between instructors.

The Red Cross offices are usually closed on Sundays.

2. You will need the Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, which you acquire after a Lifeguard Training Course. The lifeguard training course is I believe typically 4 weeks or so, meeting 2-3 times a week.

It may have changed (its been a while), but I seem to recall that CPR and First Aid were prerequisites to the course. Those are two separate certificates, which you usually can obtain with a one-day, 8 hour course (at least you used to be able).

It would not surprise me if the courses were now packaged. May depend on who is teaching.

If you know WHERE you want to lifeguard (ie., city, county, HOA, etc.), you might consider calling that organization (aquatics department, lifeguard coordinator, etc) to find out if the entity offers courses to interested lifeguards. Usually will be at a cost to you--but they might have classes timed to meet their summer hiring needs.