Certifications And Trainings

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) Adult/Pediatric/AED (automatic external defibrillator) training meets the needs of workplace responders and schools, as well as the general public.

CPR for the Professional Rescuer training meets the needs of a professional level emergency. Some certifications and jobs require CPR PRO. 

These CPR classes are a blended learning course. After you register for the course you will be sent a link for the online portion. The online portion must be completed before the start of the inhouse training. Please be prepared to show your completion certificate at the start of the class.

Learn to save a life.

Upcoming Sessions

January 24th

February 18th

March 11th

April 4th

Information on Your Red Cross Cards

1. Once YMCA receives approval of your certification, the American Red Cross will email the participant the certification. This paperwork is the official document.
2. Please provide instructor with a valid email address.

Contact

Leadership Through Aquatics

This is a course designed for teens interested in becoming American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards through Leadership Training. For teens ages 14-17. However, teens must be 15 years of age by the end of the program to complete the ARC Lifeguard Certification course. It is required that each teen participate in volunteer hours and leadership training while in the program in order to understand the qualities of a Professional Lifeguard. 

Requirements to Participate in the Program

• Comfortable in the water environment, beginner swim level
• Must be willing to work hard and have fun
• Cannot miss scheduled program classes without approval

1st Pathway 

The leadership and lifeguard prep training program is specifically for teens who wish to become stronger swimmers and learn the skills necessary to pass the lifeguard prerequisite test. Consisting of the front crawl, breaststroke, treading, and the Brick Test.

2nd Pathway

At the end of the Prep program, successful candidates will be eligible to attend the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification course (a $300 value!). Once successfully completed graduates will be eligible for employment as lifeguards at the Nir Family YMCA Pool, Robert Strange Pool, Legion Stadium Pool, and the Brigade Pool.

Ages

14-17 years

Program Fees

Free

Location

Nir Family YMCA
2710 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28403

Contact

Junior Lifeguard Program 

The purpose of the Junior Lifeguard Program is to encourage awareness, leadership, self-confidence, and provide an environment that allows young participants a chance to explore lifeguarding as a possible career choice or as an interest. Five Elements of the Junior Lifeguard program include:

• Responding to Emergency
• Physical skills training
• Environment Awareness
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Patron safety by enforcing rules

Ages 

12-14 Years

2024 Summer Session

Dates and Times

• June 3-8
  • Monday - Friday June 3-7, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Saturday - June 8, 1:00pm - 5:00pm (CPR and final testing)
• July 8-13
  • Monday - Friday July 8-12, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Saturday - July 13, 1:00pm- 5:00pm (CPR and Final testing)
• August 5-10
  • Monday - Friday August 5-9, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Saturday - Aug 10, 1:00pm-5:00pm (CPR and Final Testing)

Program Fees

This course is free to participants with the expectation that they perform 30 hours of community service at one of our YMCA operated pools: Nir Family YMCA, Legion Stadium, Robert Strange.

Location:

Robert Strange Pool
401 S 10th Street 
Wilmington, NC 28401  

View Flyer

Register Online

Contact

Deep Water Lifeguard Course

Blended Learning Format

Nir Family YMCA and Robert Strange Pool

• May 17, 18, 19
  • May 17 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, Entries
  • May 18 8:30 am-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR and Water Skills
  • May 19 8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange Pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills and Final testing
• May 31, June 1, June 2
  • May 31 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, Entries
  • June 1  8:30 am-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR and Water Skills
  • June 2  8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange Pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills in water 9 ft, Final testing
• June 7, 8, 9
  • June 7 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Nir family YMCA
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, Entries
  • June 8 8:30 pm-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR, Water Skills
  • June 9 8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange Pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills in water 9 ft deep, Final testing
• June 14, 15, 16
  • June 14 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Nir Family Pool
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, entries
  • June 15 8:30 am-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR, Water Skills
  • June 16 8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange Pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills in water 9 FT deep, Final testing
• June 28, 29, 30
  • June 28 5:00pm-8:00pm Nir Family Pool
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, entries
  • June 29 8:30 am-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR, water skills
  • June 30 8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange Pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills in water 9ft deep, Final testing
• July 12, 13, 14
  • July 12 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Nir Family Pool
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, entries
  • July 13 8:30 am-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR, water skills
  • July 14 8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills in water 9ft deep, Final testing
• July 26, 27, 28
  • July 26 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, entries
  • July 27 8:30 am-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR, Water skills
  • July 28 8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange Pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills in water 9ft deep, Final testing
• August 2, 3, 4
  • August 2 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • Prerequisite swim test, Intro to lifeguarding, entries
  • August 3 8:30 am-5:30 pm Nir Family YMCA
    • CPR, Water Skills
  • August 4 8:30 am-5:30 pm Robert Strange Pool
    • Spinal management, Deep water skills in water 9ft deep, Final testing

Lifeguard Review

• There is a review class held with every Lifeguard course     

View Course Flyer

Register Online

Sampson County YMCA

• May 9, 10, 11
  • Friday, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• May 16, 17, 18
  • Friday, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• May 28, 29, 30
  • Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• June 9, 10, 11
  • Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

View Course Flyer

Register Online

Ages

15+ years

Locations

Prerequisite Swim Test

A prerequisite swim test will be offered the Friday night prior to first night of the course between the hours of 5:00pm-5:30pm at the Nir Family YMCA. Students must pass the prerequisite swim test in order to be eligible to take the course. the course will continue to Introduction to Lifeguarding, identifying a drowning person, entries, and rescues for a distressed and active drowning person.

The swim test consists of:

1. Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.
2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards.
   • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, to a depth of 9 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
   • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
   • Candidates should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or step.

Program Fees

Information on Your Red Cross Card

1. Once YMCA receives approval of your certification, the American Red Cross will email the participant the certification. This paperwork is the official document.

2. Please provide instructor with a valid email address. We Must have a accurate email at the time of registration to send the blended learning link. this email must be your personal email, not a parents.

About Our Blended Learning Format

This is a two-portion lifeguard course. The first portion is all online as a Blended Learning Lifeguard Course through the American Red Cross. The second portion of this course is In-Person, which will cover Water Skills, CPR, and First-Aid.

You must complete the Online Blended Learning portion of this course prior to attending the second In-Person portion of the course. Once the registration fee is paid, you will received the Online Blended Learning Link and an Online Lifeguard Manual. The online portion is to be completed during your own time prior to attending the in-person lifeguard training.

Contact

Shallow Water Lifeguard Courses

How deep is the water you are working in? If the water depth is 6ft or less, then this is the course for you.

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Training is designed to provide participants the knowledge and skills necessary to be a lifeguard and professional rescuer. Our training course includes lifeguard training, CPR for the professional rescuer and first aid training. This Lifeguard certification is for pools up to 6-feet in depth. Scroll to the bottom of this section for more information about prerequisites, program costs, and course formatting.

Must attend all class dates. Females must wear a one-piece swimsuit. Participants are in the water for an extended time. It is recommended to have a rashguard shirt and extra towels. Please bring a lunch, water, and snacks.

For Pools Up to 6ft - Shallow Water Lifeguard Course

• March 7: Recertification Course (Current Lifeguard certification must not be expired)
  • 8:30am-6:60pm   
    • Will start with CPR in the morning, then transition to the pool for water skills in the afternoon ending with final testing.

• March 21, 22, 23: Full Shallow Water Certification Course
  • Friday March 21, 5:00pm-8:00pm
    • Prerequisite swim test, intro to lifeguarding, water skills 
  • Saturday March 22, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • CPR/Water Skills
  • Sunday March 23, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • Water skills / water skills final testing and final written exam

• April 11, 12, 13: Full Shallow Water Certification Course
  • Friday April 11, 5:00pm-8:00pm
    • Prerequisite swim test, intro to lifeguarding, water skills
  • Saturday April 12, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • CPR/Water skills
  • Sunday April 13, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • Water skills / water skills test and final written exam

• April 18: Recertification Course (Current Lifeguard Certification must not be expired)
  • 8:30am-6:00pm CPR / water skills

• April 25, 26, 27: Full Shallow Water Certification Course
  • Friday April 25, 5:00pm-8:00pm
    • Prerequisite swim test, intro to lifeguarding, water skills
  • Saturday April 26, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • CPR / water skills
  • Sunday April 27, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • Water skills / water skills testing and final written exam

• May 2, 3, 4: Full Shallow Water Lifeguard Certification Course
  • Friday May 2, 5:00pm-8:00pm
    • Prerequisite swim test, intro to lifeguarding, water skills
  • Saturday May 3, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • CPR / water skills
  • Sunday May 4, 8:30am-6:00pm
    • Water skills / water skills testing and final written exam

View Course Flyer

REGISTER ONLINE

For Pools Up to 5ft - Shallow Water Lifeguard Course

• April 23 - 9:00am-5:00pm
• April 24 - 9:00am-5:00pm
• April 25 - 10:00am-2:00pm

View Course Flyer

Register Online

Additional Information for Shallow Water Courses

Ages

15+ years

Prerequisite Swim Test

A prerequisite swim test will be offered the Friday night prior to first night of the course between the hours of 5:00pm-5:30pm at the Nir Family YMCA. Students must pass the prerequisite swim test in order to be eligible to take the course. We will then continue and start the course with intro to lifeguarding.

The swim test consists of:

1. Swim 100 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
2. Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs.
3. Complete a timed event within 50 seconds:
   
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using the front crawl or breaststroke. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
   • Submerge to a depth of 4 to 5 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and walk or swim 20 yards to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object at the surface of the water.
   • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Program Fees

Information on Your Red Cross Card

1. Once YMCA receives approval of your certification, the American Red Cross will email the participant the certification. This paperwork is the official document.
2. Please provide instructor with a valid email address and phone number