Where to get lifeguard certification?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
For those of you whose kids have done this, can you suggest the best places to sign up? It’s going to take a lot of time to get certified (more than I realized) and none of the times seem to jibe with our schedule so far. 😳
Yes, I’m already thinking about next summer. DD just turned 15. She worked at Bohrer Park pool last summer as a pool aid but we are going to be out of town the week they are offering for the lifeguard certification. It’s very frustrating they don’t seem to offer more than one option. |
Anonymous
| County or city of Rockville. |
Anonymous
|
Ideally- On the job, job schedules and pays for it. Different pools use different certifications. Red Cross and American lifeguards are two popular ones. They are not interchangeable.
The ymca offers Red Cross training courses and certification. |
Anonymous
|
My DD did the lifeguard training at the Germantown Indoor Swim Center.
Check YMCA as well. |
Anonymous
| We looked on the red cross website and found a time and location that worked. |
Anonymous
|
I’m assuming once she gets the certification though, she can apply for jobs wherever?
Will they be picky and ask where she received her certification? |
Anonymous
| Through a local gym that has a pool. |
Anonymous
No, the certification is standardized. It doesn’t matter |
Anonymous
Yup, she can apply wherever. They will ask for proof of her certification, not sure if they'll be picky. If worried about that, find a place that gives Red Cross certification. |
Anonymous
| My DD did it at the pool where she was hired. It was liike 3 nights of training. |
Anonymous
I don't know what you mean by "picky"? Its a Red Cross certification that can be used anywhere. They aren't going to say OMG you got certified at the pool in Bowie!? |
Anonymous
My DD got certified last year and her job paid for it. Thing about jobs is that some have a minimum number of hours of life guarding experience required Post certification to be eligible and she did not find any flexibility with the minimum hours requirement. Fortunately she got a lot of hours last year and is also guaranteed this coming summer plus school breaks. |
Anonymous
|
YMCA!
If the times don't work out at the one closest to you, just check another site. It is generally done in one full weekend. |
Anonymous
| Look are the Red Cross web page for offerings. They will be more frequent as the summer approaches. It can be done in a weekend or two. Also many pool management companies offer it to employees before summer season and some of the counties offer it free to potentially guards for their indoor pools. Good luck |