Lifeguard certification needed to coach as 15YO

[Anonymous]

My NOVA summer pool's understanding is that 15-year-olds must have lifeguard certification to coach (Virginia law). DD15 is supposed to coach our NVSL summer team's winter program at the REC center, but we can't find any lifeguard certification classes anywhere in NOVA. Checked Red Cross, and Googled several terms to try to find one.

Does anyone have suggestions? Would prefer to knock this out in August before school starts.

TIA

[Anonymous]

Montgomery county or city of Rockville.

[Anonymous]

They may accept an online certification. I don't think you'll find any in-person classes at this time of year.

[Anonymous]

I’d check with whoever is in charge of the winter program. They may be able to provide resources and/or facilitate training. I do know people who have gotten recertification online from https://americanlifeguardassociation.com/online-lifeguard-training/ but I wouldn’t go that route initially without being totally sure it will be accepted (and even then I personally would be wary that your DC never had any real in-water training…the online course was definitely not as rigorous/thorough as the in person Red Cross certification).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They may accept an online certification. I don't think you'll find any in-person classes at this time of year.

You have to do in person for rescues.

[Anonymous]

You can do it through the red cross

[Anonymous]

Has to be in person class especially for the first time. Expensive and time consuming.

[Anonymous]

My kid volunteered as a "coach" for our summer team's winter swim program. Not certified as lifeguard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has to be in person class especially for the first time. Expensive and time consuming.

Its a few hundred dollars and a few days.

[Anonymous]

Our pool has the first year coaches volunteer and shadow another coach during winter swim. That way they have experience going into the summer through that mentorship, but also allows time for the lifeguard cert to happen in May.

Some pools have a lifeguard cert class in early Aug to get some new guards in as the college age guards go back to school. I would look at some pool companies around you to see if they are offering an Aug class?

Ex, here is one in VA on Aug 11-12: https://jellis.com/classes/local-lifeguard-training/10117684

[Anonymous]

That course is ILTP. Never heard of it. Make sure your pool will accept it before you take it. Most pools want red cross certified guards.

[Anonymous]

Here is an American Red Cross lifeguard class in Arlington through the pool company High Sierra, Aug 6-7:

https://highsierrapools.com/lifeguard-courses/virginia/

[Anonymous]

We’ve had summer head swim coaches without lifeguard certification. I don’t think you have to have a lifeguard on deck during practice, but it’s good practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve had summer head swim coaches without lifeguard certification. I don’t think you have to have a lifeguard on deck during practice, but it’s good practice.

Yes, you absolutely need to have a lifeguard on deck during a practice. Not all teams require all the coaches to be lifeguard certified , but you do need one lifeguard on deck at all times.

[Anonymous]

Crystal Aquatics has a class this weekend but you have to apply as a lifeguard there. Something to consider?