British Swim School
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Lifeguard Certifications with British Swim School

British Swim School offers nationally recognized lifeguard certification programs designed to prepare you for real-world aquatic emergencies with confidence and skill. Through hands-on, fast-paced training, you’ll gain the knowledge and practical experience needed to respond quickly, professionally, and effectively when it matters most.

  • Nationally recognized certifications
  • Hands-on, scenario-based training
  • Focused, efficient course structure
  • Confidence-building emergency response skills
Smiling British Swim School instructor in a red shirt stands with arms crossed by a pool.

American Red Cross Certifications

“The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed 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) professionals take over. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate for Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Lifeguarding or Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding that includes CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid and is valid for 2 years.” – American Red Cross

Course Requirements for Completion

  • Must attend all class sessions
  • Must participate in all class activities
  • Demonstrate proficiency in all skills
  • Must pass the final in-water practical scenarios
  • Must pass the final written exam with 80% or better
Course Prerequisites (Full/Deep Water Certification)
  • Blended Learning participants must complete the online portion of the course before the first day of in-person session
  • Must be 15 years old by the final day of the course
  • Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence which consists of: 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.
  • 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 to 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 at or near the surface. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Course Prerequisites (Shallow Water Certification)
  • Blended Learning participants must complete the on-line portion of the course before the first day of in-person session
  • Must be 15 years old by the final day of the course
  • Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence which consists of: swim 50 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, floating, or both. Participants must only tread water, not float, when the water depth of training is greater than 5 feet. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
  • Complete a timed event within 50 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Submerge to a depth of 4 to 7 feet (consistent with the maximum water depth that will appear on the certification) to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and walk or swim 20 yards to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Register Now for the American Red Cross Lifeguard Program

StarGuard Elite Certifications

“The demographics of the typical StarGuard student demand a training-course delivery that is concise, fast-paced, and challenging enough to get results and develop high-quality skills and competence. The curriculum has been carefully designed to meet these goals.

The StarGuard curriculum is based on experiential learning concepts and an integrated, context-based approach. Students learn by doing, in situations and environments as similar as possible to those where they will work. Active learning – rather than passive learning by watching videos or listening to lectures – is a hallmark of the StarGuard program.

The focus of a StarGuard course is on gaining practical skills and an understanding of best practices to build confidence to handle an emergency. Skill sets are best learned and retained by repeat practice in realistic circumstances. Instructors can make the most of class time by limiting lectures to essential knowledge and focusing on hands-on skill practice.” – Starguard Elite Instructor Manual

Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a lifeguarding certificate that includes CPR/AED and First Aid that is valid for 1 year. Limited water attractions, waterpark and waterfront certification can be included upon request.

Course Requirements for Completion

  • Must attend all class sessions
  • Must participate in all class activities
  • Demonstrate proficiency in all skills
  • Demonstrate proficiency in all CAPs
  • Must pass the final written exam with 80% or better
Course Prerequisites (Any Depth Certification)
  • Blended Learning participants must complete the online portion of the course before the first day of in-person session
  • Candidates must be a minimum age of 16 to enter the course (students age 15 may be accepted at the discretion of the Training Center Director.)
  • Candidates must be able to exit the pool without the aid of a ladder, ramp, lift, or zero-depth entry.
  • Candidates must pass these minimum water skills screening to validate swimming ability and endurance at a level that is appropriate for the in-water course work required of the candidate:
    • swim 50 yards/meters without stopping
    • swim 50 yards/meters with a rescue tube across the chest
    • tread water for one (1) minute without use of the hands
    • retrieve weighted object off the bottom (minimum 10 lbs./ 4.5 kg)
Register Now for the Starguard Elite Lifeguard Program
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