Parks & Recreation

Lifeguarding Classes

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

Location

Rocky Mount Senior Center
427 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27802

For additional information, please email brian.harrell@rockymountnc.gov

Complete Lifeguard Course

March 14 – 17, 2024
Friday: 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 9:00am -4:30pm

April 1 – 4, 2024
Monday – Thursday 1:00pm – 6:00pm

May 16 – 19, 2024
Thursday and Friday 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 9:00am – 2:00pm

June 3 – 6, 2024
Monday – Thursday 1:00pm -6:00pm

Cost: $210.00; Rocky Mount Discount $180.00 (Includes a pocket mask)

Recertification Course

March 12 – 13, 2024
Tuesday and Wednesday 4:00pm – 9:00pm

May 20 – 21, 2024
Monday and Tuesday 4:00pm – 9:00pm

Cost: $105.00; Rocky Mount Discount $90.00 (Includes a pocket mask)

For recertification, you must be a currently certified American Red Cross lifeguard.

Prerequisites

  • Must be 15 years old.
  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.  Swimming on back or side is NOT allowed.  Swim googles may be used.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only legs. Candidates must place their arms under their armpits.
  • Complete a timed event within 1:40 (no googles allowed):
    1. Start in water, swim 20 yards out. The face can be out of the water for this portion.
    2. Surface dive, feet or headfirst, to a depth of 7 – 10ft to retrieve a 10lb object.
    3. Return the object to the surface and keep face at or near the surface so you can breathe and swim object back to the starting point while on your back.
    4. Exit pool without assistance of ladder or steps.

American Red Cross Certificate requirements:

  1. Attend all class sessions.
  2. Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
  3. Demonstrate competency in 3 final scenarios.
  4. Complete final written exam and score at least 80% on written exam.

Refund Policy

$50 of program is non-refundable should be registration be cancelled by the participant prior to the pre-course work being assigned.

Once pre-course work is assigned, there will be no refunds.

Course Work

7 hours of course work must be completed 48 hours prior to the course begin date.  Participants will be sent the link to complete via provided email.

Pre-requisites will be completed on the first day of class.

If pre-course work is not completed and pre-requisite in-water (300 yd swim, tread, and brick) must be completed prior to continuing in class.

For additional information, please contact Brian Harrell, Manager at 252-972-1152 or via email at brian.harrell@rockymountnc.gov

Junior Lifeguard

American Red Cross Junior Lifeguarding is designed to prepare youth with a foundation of knowledge, attitudes, and skills for future lifeguarding.  Participants will not be required to execute skills perfectly.  Students will learn techniques and build stamina during this program.

Junior lifeguarding will introduce participants to:

  • The skills needed for entry into the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.
  • Communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills
  • The basic responsibility of a lifeguard

American Red Cross Junior Lifeguarding is designed to prepare youth with a foundation of knowledge, attitudes, and skills for future lifeguarding.  Participants will not be required to execute skills perfectly.  Students will learn techniques and build stamina during this program.

Junior lifeguarding will introduce participants to:

  • The skills needed for entry into the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.
  • Communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills
  • The basic responsibility of a lifeguard

Daily Schedule:

12:00pm: Meet at Rocky Mount Senior Center

12:15pm – 1:30pm:  Class time if needed.

1:30pm – 4:30pm:  Denton Street Pool for in-water lessons

4:30pm – 5:00pm:  Arrive back at Senior Center for pick-up.

*Daily routine will be dependent upon what is required for class.

Course prerequisites:

  • Swim 25 yards front crawl
  • Swim 225 yards breaststroke
  • Complete Water Competency Test

Water Competency Test

  • Step in water from side and totally submerge.
  • Tread or float for one minute.
  • Swim and turn to side and swim to exit.
  • Exit using ladder or steps.

Session 1: Monday, June 17 – Friday June 28, 2024 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Session 2: Monday, July 22 – Friday, August 2, 2024 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Cost: $120.00; $90 Rocky Mount Resident discount

Age:  11-14 years old

Students who sign up will be provided a Junior Lifeguard tee-shirt at end of class and students will be provided a pocket mask for class sessions.  Students will also become certified in CPR/First Aid.

All students who sign up for this class will be required to complete testing on first day of class.  If student cannot pass requirements, they will be allowed to stay entire day, but will not be allowed to return the next day.  No refunds will be given.

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