The YMCA Lifeguard Course
The YMCA Lifeguard course trains participants to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. To complete the course participants must pass the entry exam, complete all requires eLearnings, attend all lessons and pass the final written and practical exams. The Lifeguard course is approximately 32 hours long with additional 6-8 hours online/eLearnings. Upon completion of this course participants will receive a YMCA (Y-USA Y-Guard v7) certificate for Lifeguarding including Waterfront/Waterpark Lifeguarding, ASHI/HSI (American Safety and Health Institute) BLS* (CPR)/AED)* First Aid and, Emergency Oxygen, valid for 2 years. *BLS valid for 1 year.
Participants must be 16 years old by the last day of the course to register.
Any questions can be directed to our Association Operations Director of Aquatics, Dan Burke at dburke@mvymca.org.
Physical Competency Requirements
To participate in the YMCA Lifeguard V7 course with the Waterfront and Waterpark Skills, you must pass the following physical competency requirements for the YMCA Lifeguard V7 course (conducted in a pre-course session or in class on the first day).
Phase 1 – Continuous Swim: 550 Yards (Swim Goggles are Allowed)
- 200 yards of front crawl
- 200 yards of breaststroke
- 50 yards of front crawl with head up
- 50 yards of breaststroke with head up
- 50 yards of elementary backstroke kick or eggbeater kick with hands on chest
Phase 2 – Tread Water
Tread water for two minutes (no arms) without stopping or resting.
Phase 3 – Underwater Swim Event
Starting in the water perform a feet first surface dive in 7-10 feet of water (or maximum depth of training facility). Then swims underwater for 15 feet.
Phase 4 – Combined Skills Event (No Googles)
- Participants start in the water at one end of the pool.
- Sprint for approximately 60 feet (20 yards) and then perform an arm-over-arm surface dive in 7 to 10 feet of water (or maximum depth of training facility) Pick up an object (dive ring) from the bottom of pool, surface, hold the object with both hands, and tread water for at least one minute using your legs only.
- Swim the remaining length of the pool on your back, holding the object with both hands; place the object on the deck and hoist yourself out of water.
- Immediately begin compressions on an adult mannequin for one minute or 100 compressions.
- Quickly walk to an elevated lifeguard stand, climb into stand, sit down; scan and recognize objects on pool deck.
