Waterfront Lifeguard Training
THE EXPERIENCE
Ready to move beyond lifeguarding and begin teaching lifesaving skills? The Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course is designed for eligible candidates who want to develop the knowledge and instructional abilities needed to teach lifeguarding and CPR courses through the Red Cross training program .
This course focuses on both lifesaving knowledge and effective instruction. You’ll practice teaching techniques, presenting course content, demonstrating required skills, and managing learning activities in a structured training environment.
Expect active participation, preparation, practice teaching, and feedback. Instructor candidates must meet the prerequisites established by the certifying organization.
STEP BY STEP
Step 2: In-Person Training
Participate in instructor-led practice covering required lifeguarding skills and waterfront-specific techniques. Training may include environmental hazard recognition, surveillance considerations, and rescue scenarios appropriate to the course curriculum and conditions.
Final Assessment
Participants must successfully complete the required skills assessments and pass the written examination with 80%, including any additional waterfront-specific requirements applicable to their course.
All prerequisites and certification requirements must be met to qualify for successful course completion.
TRAINING DETAILS
Course Length is roughly 19 hours in duration. Plan for 8-10 hours days with appropriate breaks and lunch in between.
Turn your aquatic experience into an opportunity to teach, lead, and make a difference.
- Duration – Your instructor training consists of a 2-Day Program.
- Day 1 Saturday @ Guaynabo 8am-6:30pm – Credentials check, Practice and Polish session, Teaching assignment I, reciprocal practices, instructor lecture, and guided discussion.
- Day 2 Sunday @ Guaynabo 8am-6:30pm – Teaching assignment II, reciprocal practices, instructor lecture, guided discussion.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
This experience service includes:
- Excellent Facilities – Gift shop, lockers, restroom, showers, storage, swings, and seating area
- Theory Review – Thorough group discussions on scenario reviews, safety guidelines, and EFR procedures
- Training Equipment – Hand-on gear like manikins (adult, infant), AED trainers, face shields / masks, disposable gloves, and others
- Certified Professionals – PADI Instructors; fully trained and certified
- EFR Certification – Processing fee to generate the required digital certificate
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Consider the following options for your adventure:
- Rescue Gear – As an emergency responder, we strongly recommend that you have your own gear. This will make you a better rescuer, ready to respond when the time comes. For this reason, Scuba Dogs offers a 20% discount on all items purchased before beginning your training. The required gear is a Pocket Mask, whistle, cutting device, and basic first aid kit.
- Transportation – Rental car, taxi or Uber are recommended
CRITERIA TO JOIN
All participants must meet the following requirements for this service:
- Skills – This course has prerequisite skills of 550-yard swim on front, timed brick retrieval, and 2 minutes of treading without use of arms
- Age – 18 Years Old
- Guardian Approval – Minors under 18 years old must obtain an adult guardian approval to participate
- Liability Release – All trainings always have a certain level of risk, thus a liability release must be filled and signed by all participants
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Following are answers to some of the most common questions and concerns:
- How does waterfront training differ from standard lifeguarding training?
Waterfront training adds skills for preventing and responding to emergencies in non-surf, open-water environments, such as designated swimming areas at lakes, parks, resorts, and summer camps. It expands on the core lifeguarding curriculum to address waterfront-specific conditions and rescue situations. - What swimming prerequisites apply to waterfront training?
You must swim 350 yards, tread water for two minutes using only your legs, and swim another 200 yards without stopping to rest. You must also pass the timed 10-pound object-retrieval event and an underwater swim involving three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4–7 feet of water. - Does waterfront certification include surf lifeguarding?
No. This waterfront training covers non-surf, open-water environments. It does not include surf-rescue training. If you plan to work at an ocean beach with breaking waves, confirm the employer’s required surf-lifeguarding qualifications before enrolling.