Private school swim coaches preying on students for bogus lifeguard class

[Anonymous]

My child goes to local public, but heard about a one day lifeguarding class that was being offered by a group of private school coaches at Kenwood.

Our kid did all the online work and attended the class. He was home by 12:30 that day and said he passed. He was at the pool less than 5 hours. But sure enough, he received his Red Cross certification card a week or two after.

Shortly after that, he received an email from the Red Cross quality assurance team asking for a phone call over some questions regarding the class. They spoke and it became very clear that the training did not cover all the material.
We are still waiting on a formal notice from the Red Cross about the certification. Crickets from those who ran the bogus class.

These private school coaches charged my kid $400 for the class. Most of the kids were from the independent schools. What’s up with this scam… do these schools allow teachers/coaches to solicit their students to sign up for their classes outside of school? Seems even more egregious when they are telling the kids they are certified for life saving when they clearly haven’t done the full curriculum.

[Anonymous]

That's terrible!

[Anonymous]

Chargeback credit card fraud.

[Anonymous]

Look into small claims court process, and send a demand for refund.

[Anonymous]

Demand a refund. If they don’t, take them to court. I did a Lifeguard course back in the day and there’s no way you can learn and then successfully execute everything in one day.

I do wonder though, like you know you have different levels of cpr training, I had health worker cpr which was super intense now I’m in a different environment I still do cpr every 2 years but I different Version and not so thorough imo.
So I’m wondering if this day Lifeguard class technically is that, but it’s not actually to the level where he can get hired anywhere. It’s more like life guard for your backyard pool peace of mind or something…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Demand a refund. If they don’t, take them to court. I did a Lifeguard course back in the day and there’s no way you can learn and then successfully execute everything in one day.

I do wonder though, like you know you have different levels of cpr training, I had health worker cpr which was super intense now I’m in a different environment I still do cpr every 2 years but I different Version and not so thorough imo.
So I’m wondering if this day Lifeguard class technically is that, but it’s not actually to the level where he can get hired anywhere. It’s more like life guard for your backyard pool peace of mind or something…

It’s the full certification card. Other kids from that class got hired at some local pools already this summer with it.

[Anonymous]

The Washington Post had a story last year about "rogue" lifeguard instructors like this.

This should be a gift link to the article.
https://wapo.st/3yLLxli

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Washington Post had a story last year about "rogue" lifeguard instructors like this.

This should be a gift link to the article.
https://wapo.st/3yLLxli

Wow, terrible to hear this is apparently a common problem!

[Anonymous]

Is there a link online to Red Cross swimming certifications and their requirements ? somehow I could not find one…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a link online to Red Cross swimming certifications and their requirements ? somehow I could not find one…

I found it on the Red Cross website under Lifeguard test. Looks like in person hours should be about 21 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to local public, but heard about a one day lifeguarding class that was being offered by a group of private school coaches at Kenwood.

Our kid did all the online work and attended the class. He was home by 12:30 that day and said he passed. He was at the pool less than 5 hours. But sure enough, he received his Red Cross certification card a week or two after.

Shortly after that, he received an email from the Red Cross quality assurance team asking for a phone call over some questions regarding the class. They spoke and it became very clear that the training did not cover all the material.
We are still waiting on a formal notice from the Red Cross about the certification. Crickets from those who ran the bogus class.

These private school coaches charged my kid $400 for the class. Most of the kids were from the independent schools. What’s up with this scam… do these schools allow teachers/coaches to solicit their students to sign up for their classes outside of school? Seems even more egregious when they are telling the kids they are certified for life saving when they clearly haven’t done the full curriculum.

I would notify the school

[Anonymous]

My DC was just certified, it was two all day sessions in person (8-6) study material prior to class, written test and standardized swim testing the first day. If you got less then a certain % (80 maybe) on the test or couldn’t meet the timed swim requirement you didn’t make it to day two. Cost $250. DCPR offers a course for certification that is free if you apply for and receive a position at a city pool. Three day course which I more intense than the Red Cross.

The one day course is supposed to be for recertification not initial certification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demand a refund. If they don’t, take them to court. I did a Lifeguard course back in the day and there’s no way you can learn and then successfully execute everything in one day.

I do wonder though, like you know you have different levels of cpr training, I had health worker cpr which was super intense now I’m in a different environment I still do cpr every 2 years but I different Version and not so thorough imo.
So I’m wondering if this day Lifeguard class technically is that, but it’s not actually to the level where he can get hired anywhere. It’s more like life guard for your backyard pool peace of mind or something…

It’s the full certification card. Other kids from that class got hired at some local pools already this summer with it.

That’s disturbing
Make sure to watch your own kids this summer!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to local public, but heard about a one day lifeguarding class that was being offered by a group of private school coaches at Kenwood.

Our kid did all the online work and attended the class. He was home by 12:30 that day and said he passed. He was at the pool less than 5 hours. But sure enough, he received his Red Cross certification card a week or two after.

Shortly after that, he received an email from the Red Cross quality assurance team asking for a phone call over some questions regarding the class. They spoke and it became very clear that the training did not cover all the material.
We are still waiting on a formal notice from the Red Cross about the certification. Crickets from those who ran the bogus class.

These private school coaches charged my kid $400 for the class. Most of the kids were from the independent schools. What’s up with this scam… do these schools allow teachers/coaches to solicit their students to sign up for their classes outside of school? Seems even more egregious when they are telling the kids they are certified for life saving when they clearly haven’t done the full curriculum.

Post the name of the school(s) where the coaches are employed.

[Anonymous]

$400? That’s insane. We paid &250 and it included online and two full days of training. Ask Red Cross if you have any way to refund