The YMCA offers a full American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course that includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer, first aid, administering emergency oxygen, equipment-based rescues for aquatic environments, accident prevention and decision-making skills.
Participants must be 15 years old by the end of the class. Online prework, attendance, full participation, successful completion of written tests and performance of all water skills are required.
If you're interested in working as a lifeguard for the YMCA, training may be available at no cost to you. Contact our branch aquatics directors for additional information.
Requirements
- Must be at least 15 years old on or before the last day of class
- Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
-Starting in the water, swim 20 yards
-Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object
-Surface and swim 20 yards on back with both hands holding object
-Exit the water without using a ladder or steps
*All trainings will include required e-learnings. These will be distributed a week before the in-person sessions and need to be completed before those begin.
Sessions
A.E. Finley YMCA
- April 4 - 7, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA
- March 4 - 5 & 11 - 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- April 22 - 23 & 29 - 30, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- May 9 - 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Aquatics Directors
A.E. Finley YMCA, Linda Singh
Alexander Family YMCA, Brian Cole
Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA, Jacob Johnson
Downtown Durham and Hope Valley Farms YMCAs, Stanley Bass
East Triangle YMCA, David Huie
Ingram Family YMCA, Christopher McLaughlin
Kerr Family YMCA, Max Turner
Kraft Family YMCA, Tom Wilson
Northwest Cary YMCA, Allie LoPiccolo
Poole Family YMCA, Jaime Jewett
Taylor Family YMCA, Eric Bjorkquist
Southeast Raleigh YMCA, Waleska Brown