Lifeguard and Water Safety
Classes vary by season. Some classes are subject to be taken place at Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park.
Instructor: Donita Ginde-Houtman
For questions or concerns, please contact Donita by calling the DRC or emailing donita@derbyrec.com.
Download our Lifeguard training brochure
Download our Lifeguard Instructor courses brochure
Classes we offer:
LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR (LGI)
The purpose of the lifeguard instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Blended Learning, Shallow Water Lifeguard, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Health Care Providers, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Bloodborne Pathogens Training courses and/or modules.
Course pre-requisite requirements include:
- 17 years or older by the final day of the course
- Current American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate or an equivalent certificate from another organization
- Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing using front crawl and breaststroke
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs
- Complete a retrieval exercise within 1 minute, 40 seconds or less. This includes: 20 yard swim, surface dive, retrieve a 10lb. brick from 7 – 10 foot depth, swim back 20 yards and exit without using the ladder or steps.
- Successfully complete the online session for the lifeguarding instructor course which consists of the following:
- Orientation to the American Red Cross
- Orientation to the Lifeguard Instructor course and pre-course exam
LIFEGUARD TRAINING
The purpose of the lifeguarding course is to teach the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. This consists of land and water rescue skills as well as first aid and CPR/AED.
Course pre-requisite requirements include:
- 15 years or older by the final day of the course
- Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing using front crawl and breaststroke
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs
- Complete a retrieval exercise within 1 minute, 40 seconds or less. This includes: 20 yard swim, surface dive, retrieve a 10lb. brick from 7 – 10 foot depth, swim back 20 yards and exit without using the ladder or steps.
LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR REVIEW
American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor review course gives currently certified instructors the opportunity to review course content and optimizes their ability to successfully complete the required knowledge and skills evaluations as a required step in the re-certification process.
Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
The purpose of the water safety instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach courses and presentations in the American Red Cross Water Safety program by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training session and how to evaluate participants’ progress.
Course pre-requisite requirements include:
- 16 years or older by the final day of the course
- Demonstrate the ability to perform the following strokes:
- Front Crawl 25 yards
- Back Crawl 25 yards
- Breaststroke 25 yards
- Elementary Backstroke 25 yards
- Sidestroke 25 yards
- Butterfly 15 yards
- Tread water for 1 minute
- Maintain a position on your back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
WSI AIDE
Anyone wanting to become an aide in an American Red Cross Learn to Swim program should take this class. Participants must be at least 10 years old and have Level 4 swimming skills. In addition to class time, 20 hours of volunteer time assisting our swim lesson program is required for aide certification. Adults as well as kids can obtain the experience necessary to become a water safety instructor aide. A swimming skill check will be done before class instruction. Come prepared to swim. The registration deadline is March 1, 2019. Ages 10-18.