American Red Cross Certification Courses

Participants will be trained to prepare, prevent and respond to emergencies in and around the water. Successful completion of the course will gain participants a 2-year certification in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

*This is a blended learning course format, requiring participant to complete about 7 hours of online course work prior to the first day of the course. In addition to the online course work participants must participate in the all in-person skill sessions.

2025 Course Line Up

1. April 21 – 23  8am – 5pm
2. April 26 – May 4 Sat/Sun 1pm – 8pm
3. May 20 – 23 T/W/TH/FR 9am – 4pm
4. June 17 – 20 T/W/TH/F 9am – 4pm

Pre-course swim requirement must be demonstrated at of the first day of the course. To set up a pre-course skills screenings contact jennifer.pageot@maine.edu, 207-778-7437. Refunds are NOT provided to those who fail the pre-course swim.  

*A minimum of 5 registered participants are required at least 4 business days prior to the start of the course.

Course fees:

Public: $250
UMF Students*: $175
FRC Employees*: $75

*email jennifer.pageot@maine.edu for course registration details

Waterfront Option Additional fee: $75 *extended course end time by 5 hours.

*Course fee due at time of registration.

****

What to expect:
The pre-course skill check is required to register. Participants will check in at the FRC front desk then head to the pool deck, prepared to swim.

Course days are long and participants will be most successful arriving to class with a well-rested mind and body. Lunch breaks are given each day, 45 min- 1 hour. Each day participants should bring: 2 bathing suits and towels, snacks, water bottle and lunch plans.

Under the new curriculum released by the American Red Cross, Lifeguard participants will be trained to prepare, prevent and respond to emergencies in and around the water. Successful completion of the course will gain participants a 2-year certification in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

To participate in the lifeguarding course, participants must:

o Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding course.

Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:

o Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)

Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs

Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both

o Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed).

Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 – 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.

Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.

Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Note: If the Lifeguarding course includes training for the Waterfront Skills module, additional prerequisite swimming distances and skills are required. See the Waterfront Skills Module Fact Sheet for more information.

1. June 3 – 5 T/W/TH 9am – 4pm LGI Course

Course Fee: $400 (participate in any of our review courses for $40)

All registration should go through the Aquatic Director, Jennifer Pageot. Space is limited.

A minimum of 6 candidates must be registered five (5) business days prior to the start of the course.

To enroll, each candidate must provide:

Proof of age (17 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course) by driver’s license, state identification card, birth certificate, passport or other government-issued photo identification.

Proof of current certifications in Lifeguard Training, which includes CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First aid. Candidates must demonstrate pre-course skills in alignment with the r.17 Lifeguard program. Candidates are encouraged to participate in any LG review course at a reduced fee of $40. Taking this course is recommended to ensure your skills are up to the standard and take a course with an instructor mindset.

Successfully complete online orientation prior to the first day of the course.  Online course work is sent to candidates once registration with Jennifer has occurred.  The 2.5 hours orientation to the Red Cross and 4-5 hours orientation to the Lifeguard Instructor Course must be completed 2 business days prior to the start of the course.

Successfully complete prerequisite Rescue Skill Scenarios:

Be at least 17 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course.

▪ Possess a current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. (Note: r.17 Lifeguarding certification accepted)

▪ Obtain instructor and participant course materials before starting the course.

▪ Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course prior to the precourse session.

▪ Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario to continue in the course. The prerequisite skill assessment scenario evaluates the following skills:

Entry

Swimming approach

Surface dive in deep water (7 to 10 feet)

Passive submerged rescue

Rapid extrication (with an assisting rescuer)

Rapid assessment

Single-rescuer CPR (3 minutes)

All online course work must be completed 2 business days prior to the start of the in-person course. Participants must bring a copy of their completed online course work certificate to the first day of class. The online course work is estimated to take between 7 and 8 hours to complete.

Course Completion:
Course completion certificates will be awarded to instructor candidates who successfully complete the pre-course session, attended every class session, successful perform all practice-teaching assignments and past the final written exam with a score of 80 percent or higher (correctly answer at least 40 of 50 questions). Candidates must also demonstrate maturity and responsibility throughout the course.

Medical Conditions or Disabilities:
Course work will include physical exercise. If you have a medical condition or disability or if you have any questions about your ability to participant fully in this course, discuss them with your physician or health-care provider and with Jennifer Pageot before the start of the course.

This course is dedicated to developing the skills and knowledge that is needed to plan and teach courses in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program. Basic-level swimming skills are not taught.

Not currently in 2025

Course Prerequisites:
To participant in the Water Safety Instructor course, candidates must be at least 16 years old by the last day of the course. Please bring proof of age to the first day (driver’s license or birth certificate).

Participants must demonstrate the following skills at the pre-course at the start of the first class day:

Water Safety Instructor Full Course

1.Swim the following strokes consistent with the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Level 4 Stroke Performance Criteria:

Front Crawl-25 yard

Back Crawl- 25 yards

Breaststroke- 25 yards

Elementary backstroke- 25 yards

Sidestroke- 25 yards

Butterfly- 15 yards

2. Maintain position on back 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling).

3. Tread water for 1 minute.

A free skills evaluation is available.
Participants are encouraged to have their skills assessed prior to the pre-course, held on the first day. Once registered and paid in full, participants will receive 2 visit passes to practice build their endurance in the water and practice pre-course skills.

To arrange a free skills evaluation, contact Jennifer Pageot, below.

Course Fee: $400

Course completion certificates will be awarded to instructor candidates who: successfully complete the pre-course session, attended every class session, successful perform all practice-teaching assignments and past the final written exam with a score of 80 percent or higher (correctly answer at least 40 of 50 questions). Candidates must also demonstrate maturity and responsibility throughout the course.

Medical Conditions or Disabilities:
Course work will include physical exercise. If you have a medical condition or disability or if you have any questions about your ability to participant fully in this course, discuss them with your physician or health-care provider and with Jennifer Pageot before the start of the course.