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What is the American Red Cross lifeguard training program like?

I live in Minnesota, Twin Cities, and I was wondering how difficult the program is? How long does this training take and is this training accepted out of state(California or Florida)?I am seventeen years old and I want to get a job that will allow me to help people and at the same time be proud of what I do. I swim all the time in the summer months and I feel I am good at it. Do you have to be an amazing swimmer to be a lifeguard? You don't have to answer all of the questions and thanks in advance.

Public Comments

1. well i recently took the class, and it was a piece of cake. The only hard parts will be the AED test because its very technical, like v-tac and v-phb and stuff. The other hard part is the in the water training. Spinals are a pain and if you get paired up with a clutz you could end up in more trouble then you started in! As for the california and other states part, i believe it is accepted, but you may need to take additional classes/training in order to work at certain water fronts. EX. water park, lake beach etc. My class was about 4 weekends from 8 to 6 but it varys on where you learn. also life guarding is the best job for teens as you can get flexible hours and can make more then minimum wage! also if you go to college they all ways need gaurds!

2. When I took it (4 years ago) it wasn't hard. But I have been a swimmer my whole life, and I took the class with all swimmers (except 1). So, backboarding someone in the deep end was a piece of cake for us. But since you swim during the summer, you shouldn't have a problem. The other girl who took the class with us and that wasn't a swimmer did fine. You have to swim a 500 (20 laps). I got certified in a weekend. Usually if you were to work out in CA or FL (like the shows Ocean Force, you have to have 20/20 vision, and you'll have to apply and do a course of their own) they require different certification. Lifeguarding is a great job i think. I really enjoyed it, and I want to get recertified. Good luck if you decide to get certified.