Red Cross Certification Courses

Offered through a Blended Learning format, participants must complete online course work prior the skill session (length 45 min – 2.75 hours). In person session will focus on hands on practice with a certified instructor, as participants will gain confidence in caring for adults, children and infants. Participants will learn to respond and care for unconscious victims, breathing emergencies, sudden illness, bleeding, and more. After completing all requirements of the course, participants will receive an American Red Cross adult, child and infant CPR/AED and first aid certifications valid for 2 years.

Upcoming Blended Learning Skill Session Course Dates:

1. Thursday, November 9 6p – 8:30p 
2. Friday, November 17  9a – 11:30a
3. Saturday, December 2 9a – 11:30a
4. Monday, December 4 6p – 8:30p 
5. Friday, December 15 9a – 11:30a

Fee per person: $85

Online Course Work MUST be completed prior to the start of the course. Completion notice must be brought to class or emailed to jennifer.pageot@maine.edu. Failure to demonstrate the completion of online course work will result in removal from the course, without a refund.  Once you have completed the online work you will receive an email with your completion certification.

Some skill sessions require strenuous physical activity. If you have a medical condition or disability or if you have any questions regarding your ability to participate fully in this course, discuss this with your health care provider and at time of registration. Please wear comfortable clothing and avoid wearing dangling jewelry or jewelry with sharp edges.

** This course is NOT intended for those who have a duty to respond and maintain a CPR/AED certification. This could include, but is not limited to, nurses, firefighters, EMT’s, ski patrol personal, medical students, UMF FRC employees. THESE parties need to take CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. ***

This course will certify qualifying participants to teach basic-level American Red Cross FA/CPR/AED courses. Participants must possess a current ARC basic-level in First aid and Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED, or equivalent certification.

Course Fee: $300

Course Dates: Call Jennifer to inquire.

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.

2023 Courses:

1. Wednesdays 9/27 – 11/1 6:30p – 9:30p

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

Online course work must be completed by the first day of the course. https://www.redcrosslearning.com/course/73031950-15c1-11e7-b4e0-51657ecd06af

Course fee: $200  |  Interested in working for us and having your course fee covered? Reach out to jennifer.pageot@maine.edu

Waterfront Option Additional fee: $50 *extended course end time by 2 hours.

*Course fee due at time of registration.

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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. Participants should bring: 2 bathing suits and towels, snacks, water bottle and lunch plans.

Lifeguarding Participant Manual (pdf)

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.

Check out this pre-course video that outlines expectations of swimming the pre-course. This link will bring you to a YouTube Video produced by IUC Guards. 

To enter the course candidates must be 15 years old by the last day of the course and pass the following pre-course swimming skills:

Lifeguarding:

1. Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under their armpits.
3. Complete a time 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 water/swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands on the object at the surface of the water.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Waterfront Lifeguarding LG Pre-course swim

• Swim 550 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under their armpits.
• Swim 5 yards, submerge and swim 15 yards underwater retrieving three dive rings, 5 yards apart.
• Complete a time 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 water/swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands on the object at the surface of the water.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

2024 Course Offerings:

1. TBA

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 4 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:

Candidate will be expected to demonstrate victim recognition; emergency action plan (EAP) activation, including communicating with other lifeguards; successful rescue using appropriate skills; and follow-up emergency care, as needed. Participants must demonstrate the skills reflected in the r.17 Lifeguard program.

Skills that will be evaluated:

• CPR- adult, child, infant
• BVM use
• AED- adult, child
• Ventilations- adult, child, infant
• Primary assessment- adult, child, infant
• Entries into water
• Approaches to victim
• Submerged victim rescue
• Removal from water using backboard

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.

No Course Dates scheduled. We are unable to offer a course for this upcoming summer.

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 yards
• 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.