Lifeguard Training

The four-unit class includes certifications in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and/or Shallow Water Lifeguard and/or Basic Water Rescue; First Aid; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for the Professional Rescuer; Automated External Defibrillation; Waterfront Lifeguard; Administering Emergency Oxygen; Epinephrine Auto Injector Administration and Bloodborne Pathogens: Preventing Disease Transmission. (And sometimes we have the time to sneak in an asthma inhaler training as well.)

We work on some skills from Red Cross Small Craft Safety as well as materials and skills developed at De Anza and other programs. There is often the opportunity for certification in Lifeguard Management outside of class time.

When the Red Cross updated the program in 2007, certification in Automated External Defibrillation was required for all lifeguards. The De Anza program had included this certification for years. Reaching assists and throwing assists with equipment commonly required at all pools were added back into the program, then removed in 2012. At De Anza we never stopped teaching these skills.

The Red Cross has this description of the program:

"What You Will Learn

American Red Cross training makes learning fun and easy.

Through classroom learning and hands-on practice, you'll learn:

· Surveillance skills to help you recognize and prevent injuries

· Rescue skills - in the water and on land

· First aid training and professional rescuer CPR - to help you prepare for any emergency

· Professional lifeguard responsibilities like interacting with the public and addressing uncooperative patrons

Certifications include:

· Lifeguarding - for lifeguards working at traditional pools

· Waterfront Lifeguarding - for lifeguards at non-surf, open-water environments such as lakes and rivers, as well as traditional pools

· Shallow Water Lifeguard - for lifeguards who will work only in areas with water attractions up to five feet deep

The De Anza College class fulfills the requirement for Area E for your A.A. degree, which means it also transfers to U.C. and State Universities.

What do students think about the class?

" I really enjoyed all the extra info we were given. There was never a dull moment in this class. Mary is the most thorough and encouraging instructor I have ever had."

is a comment from student evaluations.

Read more at: P.E. 28A student evaluation comments

How to get an A in lifeguard training

P.E. 28A is offered Spring quarters, April to June. Due to budget problems, lifeguard training will not be offered at De Anza in 2014, but I will be teaching it off campus occasionally.

The De Anza Outdoor Club will be having some pre-requisite swim test and lifeguard skills practice sessions for any student, whether they will be taking lifeguard training from me, or just want to see if they can pass the Red Cross (or YMCA) prerequisite lifeguard swim test.

The college catalog lists a prerequisite of PE 26B, but you do not have to have taken any college swim classes, you just need to pass the Red Cross prerequisite swim tests.

Click on this link: Lifeguard Training FAQs

for lots more info including cost, prerequisites, and a link to registration steps.

De Anza College lifeguard training graduates get jobs.

Graduates of the program who are now head lifeguards, aquatic directors or facility managers come back to help teach the class, give free tutoring and recruit employees because they find De Anza trained guards to be more confident, attentive and more thoroughly trained. Read notes from some of them: Lifeguards trained at De Anza College get jobs

If you are in a profession that requires them (nursing, for example) CEUs are available for almost every certification you can earn in PE 28A after you complete the course. Go to: continuing education credits (units)

The 2012 lifeguard manual is available for a free download at: http://www.instructorscorner.org/media/resources/l/lg_part_manual_landing.html