Home Lifeguard Certification & Training
- Lifeguard Certification Course
- Lifeguard Re-Certification Course
- CPR Re-Certification for Professional Rescuers
- Lifeguard Instructor Certification
- Lifeguard Instructor Re-Certification
Become a certified lifeguard! Participants must be at least 15 years of age and must swim 150 yards without stopping, immediately tread water for 2 minutes using only legs, and then finish with another 50 yard swim. All swimming must be either front crawl or breaststroke. Participants must also complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
Participants who successfully complete the course will earn an American Red Cross Certification in Lifeguarding. Registration fee does not include a printed copy of the lifeguard manual. (Digital copy available with registration via Red Cross)
Blended Learning Courses:
Blended learning meets a total of two class days and requires 7 hours of computer work prior to attending class. This class includes water skill components and upon completion will receive a Red Cross Lifeguard Certification.
AVAILABLE CLASS DATES:
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- Time: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Location: YMCA Pool
- Cost: $125
LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION COURSE DATES
This program will allow participants to renew their Red Cross Lifeguarding certification upon succesful completion of the course, valid for 2 years. Students must currently posses a Red Cross Lifeguard Certification that is current or no more than 30 days expired by date of class. All students will be required to pass a swimming pretest before continuing with the recertification course.
PRETEST
- Part 1: Participants must swim 150 yards continuously using either breaststroke or front crawl, then immediately begin treading water for 2 minutes using only legs, then finish with another 50 yards of swimming.
- Part 2: Participants will enter the pool from the side of the pool, swim 20 yards, dive down to the bottom of the pool to retrieve a 10 lb object, return to service, then swim on their back while holding the object with both hands until they are back at their starting point, then exit the water. This event is timed and must be completed in 1 minute and 40 seconds.
AVAILABLE CLASS DATES:
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This is a professional CPR class for lifeguards that are looking to become re-certified. Current CPR for the professional rescuer certification (or lifeguard certification) must still be valid or no more expired than 30 days. The state of Nebraska requires all lifeguards to renew their CPR certifications annually.
Contact Maria Urlacher at 402-463-3139 or at aquatics@hastingsymca.net to inquire about classes.
RED CROSS LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
Take your lifeguarding skills to the next level by becoming a certified Lifeguard Instructor through the American Red Cross. This comprehensive course is designed for experienced lifeguards who want to teach and inspire the next generation of lifeguards. You’ll learn how to effectively plan, conduct, and evaluate lifeguard training courses, develop leadership and instructional skills, and ensure safety standards are met in every class. Upon successful completion, you’ll be certified to teach Red Cross Lifeguard courses, including CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, and Lifeguard Training. Join us and make a lasting impact by training confident, skilled lifeguards for your community.
Successfully completing this course will result in a Lifeguard Instructor certificate valid for 2 years.
To participate in the Lifeguarding Instructor course, candidates must be at least 17 years old and provide proof of a current Red Cross Lifeguarding certification. This course is a blended learning course. Instructor candidates are required to complete online content before coming to the in-person class sessions. If wanting to renew your base level lifeguarding certification as well, the base level lifeguarding content will also need to be completed along with a few additional in-person requirements.
AVAILABLE CLASS DATES:
- February 21-22, 2026
Registration opens: Jan 9, 2026
Registration deadline: Feb 18, 2026 - June 6, 2026
Registration opens: Mar 1, 2026
Registration deadline: June 3, 2026 - June 8, 2026
Registration opens: Mar 1, 2026
Registration deadline: June 3, 2026 - Must currently be lifeguard certified
- Must be at least 17 years old
- 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Cost: $250
Additional $25 if renewing base level lifeguard certification
RED CROSS LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR RE-CERTIFICATION
The purpose of the Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification course is to give instructors and instructor trainers the opportunity to review the course knowledge and skills within a formal course setting in order to maintain their American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor or Instructor Trainer certification. Successfully completing this course will result in a certificate valid for 2 years.
To participate in the recertification course, candidates must provide proof of a current (or expired by no more than 1 year) American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor or Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer certification.
The recertification course is a blended learning course. Recertification candidates are required to complete the basic-level lifeguarding online course content in addition to the Lifeguarding Instructor/Trainer Recertification course online session.
AVAILABLE CLASS DATES:
- June 6, 2026
Registration opens: Mar 1, 2026
Registration deadline: June 3, 2026 - June 8, 2026
Registration opens: Mar 1, 2026
Registration deadline: June 3, 2026 - Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Cost: $100
For more information contact our Aquatics Director at aquatics@hastingsymca.net.
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