Becoming a certified lifeguard is a serious undertaking that requires intensive training. Students who enroll in lifeguard courses through the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) can expect to be fully immersed in an education focused on developing advanced water safety and lifesaving skills. Through physical conditioning, first aid practices, and certification exams, ALA’s programs thoroughly prepare new lifeguards to monitor aquatic facilities and respond to in-water emergencies. This article will outline what to expect in ALA’s lifeguard training courses.
Physical Training
A crucial component of lifeguard courses is building students’ physical abilities through rigorous conditioning. On average, ALA’s programs require over 20 hours of physical training. Some key components include:
- Swimming – Trainees must demonstrate strong swim skills by completing 500 yards of continuous swimming using three different strokes (front crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke).
- Treading water – For 2 minutes without using hands is evaluated to ensure treading endurance.
- Timed swim races – 100 yards front crawl goggles in 1 minute 40 seconds or less and retriever carrying a 10 lb brick to the surface in 1 minute 30 seconds demonstrate speed and form under load.
- Lifesaving skills – Surface dives, underwater swims, and object retrievals are practiced extensively. Students must show proficiency in many different rescue skill scenarios.
The goal of this training is to build students’ strength, endurance, and comfort in the water. With intensive conditioning, ALA lifeguards are prepared for physically demanding in-water rescues.
First Aid and CPR Training
An important part of ALA’s coursework focuses on first aid practices and certification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer. On average, 15 hours is dedicated to:
- Basic first aid – Students learn to assess injuries, control bleeding, treat shock, and apply bandages.
- CPR/AED use – Through practice with manikins, students gain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of Automated External Defibrillators.
- First aid scenarios – Realistic simulations are used to test students’ abilities to respond appropriately to medical situations like wounds, injuries, seizures, and more.
This training ensures ALA lifeguards can deliver lifesaving first aid and respond quickly in an emergency medical situation at an aquatic facility. Graduates leave having mastered important clinical skills.
Continued in Part 2 below…
Knowledge Development
To complement the physical and practical components, ALA’s courses also involve over 20 hours of classroom learning. Key subjects include:
- Lifeguard roles and responsibilities – Trainees understand their legal duties and authority as a guard.
- Surveillance techniques – Scanning practices optimize spotting of distressed swimmers.
- Prevention strategies – Enforcement of pool rules and policies aims to prevent accidents.
- Rescue skills – Front and back approaches, extrication methods using backboards are practiced.
- Spinal injuries – Spinal cord management is emphasized for potential neck or back trauma situations.
- Safety equipment – Use of shepherds crooks, rescue tubes is demonstrated.
EAPs (Emergency Action Plans) – Students learn proper protocol for responding to various types of in-water and out-of-water emergencies through on-site drills.
This academic learning provides the background knowledge necessary for sound decision making when employed in lifeguarding roles.
Water Skills Evaluation
The hallmark of any ALA lifeguard course is the final in-water skills session. Under the watch of certified instructors, trainees are asked to demonstrate their rescue ability by:
- Responding within 30 seconds to simulated emergencies and entering the water, assess the victim.
- Performing safe, effective spinal rescues from shallow and deep water using front and back holds to bring the victim to safety.
- Providing first aid once the victim is removed from the water, including CPR if required.
Candidates must show proficiency in up to 4-5 rescue scenarios to complete the course and earn certification through the American Lifeguard Association. Their skills are evaluated based on form, speed, safety, and overall rescue rationale.
Final Opinion
As this article outlines, gaining professional training and certification through the American Lifeguard Association involves a rigorous curriculum that leaves candidates fully prepared for any emergency situation at a supervised water setting. With over 60 hours developing physical prowess, clinical abilities, technical expertise, and lifesaving protocols, ALA lifeguards have the tools they need on day one to keep swimmers safe. Enrolling in a certified lifeguarding course is a serious commitment, but well worth it for those with a passion for preventing water accidents and injuries.
