So you’re thinking of becoming a lifeguard but aren’t sure what skills you’ll learn in a lifeguard certification class? As the premier lifeguard organization in the United States, the American Lifeguard Association provides rigorous lifeguard training and certification courses to equip future guards with the knowledge and abilities they need to protect swimmers’ lives. In this article, we’ll break down the key lessons and competencies you can expect to gain in an ALA lifeguard class.
First Aid and CPR Certification
First and foremost, a lifeguard must know how to provide first aid in a medical emergency. All ALA certification classes will teach students adult, child, and infant CPR as well as first aid for common injuries like cuts, scrapes, and burns.
You’ll learn how to control bleeding, treat for shock, apply dressings and slings, and recognize when a situation requires immediate emergency response. Having proper first aid training is essential for any lifeguard to act quickly and appropriately when a patron needs medical attention.
Water Rescue Skills
Of course, a core function of a lifeguard is their ability to perform aquatic rescues when someone is in distress in the water. Lifeguard class will spend plenty of time practicing in-water rescue techniques like reaching assists, throwing assists, wading/walking assists, and swimming assists.
You’ll learn entry and exit methods, how to support and transport a conscious or unconscious victim to safety, and spinal injury management. Scenarios will help you gain confidence in your ability to conduct swift water rescues and saves.
Surveillance and Scanning Techniques
Lifeguards spend much of their time scanning their zone of responsibility for any danger or behaviors that could lead to an emergency. In class, they teach vigilant surveillance methods to help students become skilled at scanning crowds and paying attention to all areas under their watch.
Training includes learning proper posture, angles of observation, using your peripheral vision, zoning techniques, and how often to scan each zone. You’ll also learn how to identify risky behaviors and make appropriate risk management decisions.
Legal Concepts and Responsibilities
No guard wants to face legal issues or claims of negligence due to poor decision making on the job. Lifeguard classes clarify the scope of a guard’s duties and legal responsibilities. Students learn how to protect themselves and their employer by following proper protocols.
Key topics include understanding types of negligence, risk management practices, documentation, releases of liability, and when legal action may be necessary. Having awareness of applicable safety laws and codes is vital for any guard.
General Safety Skills
From knowing how to open and close facilities properly to detecting hazards and enforcing policies, lifeguard certification teaches more than just in-water skills. General safety lessons include accident prevention strategies, weather hazards, emergency action planning, facility inspections, first aid kit checks, record keeping, incident reporting, and dealing professionally with difficult situations and patrons. Being knowledgeable in overall safety procedures helps lifeguards maintain a secure environment for swimmers.
Communication and Leadership
Strong communication and leadership abilities are also advantageous qualities for any professional lifeguard. Classes emphasize clear and confident communication with patrons, coworkers, and emergency responders.
Role playing helps students practice delivering instructions concisely and with the right tone in high-stress scenarios. Lifeguards must also know how to supervise others, make proper call outs during in-service practice, and handle management responsibilities like setting schedules and delegating tasks.
Knowledge Testing and Certification Exams
No ALA certification class is complete without passing a rigorous exam on all covered content. Written and skills testing evaluates students’ abilities in areas like first aid/CPR, surveillance techniques, rescue skills, legal concepts and more.
Testing mirrors what’s included in the official American Lifeguard Association’s certification exams. Pass scores on both written and in-water/practical exams are required for full certification, which validates a guard’s learned competencies and allows them to work at certified facilities. Read more information click here.
In Summary
Professional lifeguard training through the American Lifeguard Association equips students with all the skills needed to excel in their position. From medical response training to water rescue techniques to safety procedures, lifeguard certification classes cover the essential competencies expected of guards.
With rigorous education, practice, and testing, ALA certification ensures guards have the expertise to competently supervise activities and prevent/respond to hazards in an aquatic facility environment. If you want to become a certified and career-ready lifeguard, look no further than the American Lifeguard Association for top-quality instruction.
