Register for Lifeguard Training
The City of Saint Paul offers a fun and challenging approach to lifeguard training. Students will learn lifeguard rescue skills, First Aid, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the Professional Rescuer, Emergency Oxygen Support, Automated External Defibrillation (AED) and so much more. Those who complete the training have the potential of being hired as a City of Saint Paul lifeguard. Must be 15 or older. Lifeguard training is provided by the Parks Aquatic Supervisors who are American Red Cross certified.
To participate in the course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place during the first-class session.
- Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs.
- Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive (head- or feet-first) to a depth of 12 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.
During the first-class session, you will be required to provide proof of age and identity. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or birth certificate. If a birth certificate is used to provide proof of age, an additional form of identification with a photo is also needed to provide proof of identity.
In general, you will need the following for each class session:
- A swimsuit that allows for good range of motion and that will stay secure and keep you covered during physical activity.
- A towel.
- Comfortable clothing for classroom activities and practicing skills such as CPR.
- You may want to bring an extra swimsuit and a towel as we may be in the water twice in one day.
- Food, snacks, and a water bottle.
- Hair ties if your hair is long enough to be in your face.
- Eye drops are optional but highly recommended.
To successfully complete a course in the Lifeguarding program, the participant must:
- Attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
- Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during skill practices, skill drills, activities, and scenarios.
- Demonstrate proficiency in all skills.
- Pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent.
- Pass the final skills assessments.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid, valid for 2 years.
Please be aware that the skill practice session in the Lifeguarding course involve strenuous physical activity. If you have any concerns about your ability to participate fully in class (for example, because of a medical condition or disability), or if you need accommodations for the written exam, please contact us before the first-class session to discuss possible accommodations. You may also wish to speak with a healthcare professional before the first-class session.
Register for Lifeguard Training
- Como Park Pool: 651-489-0378
- Highland Aquatic Center: 651-695-3773
- Great River Water Park: 651-642-0390
Already a trained lifeguard? GREAT! We are always looking for new guards and instructors, and we hire year-round! To join the team call Great River Water Park at 651-642-00390 and speak with a supervisor.
