A grant will allow for more affordable lifeguard training in St. Joseph this spring.
The City of St. Joseph, along with Missouri Western State University and American Red Cross, will be offering lifeguard training this spring for a reduced fee of $100 in part due to a grant from Mosaic Life Care. This program is designed to offer an affordable lifeguard training program to the St. Joseph community with the hope of increasing the number of certified lifeguards in Northwest Missouri.
Interested candidates must be 15 years of age by May 22, 2015. Anyone who desires American Red Cross Lifeguard certification is invited to participate in the community lifeguard program.
Interested candidates can register free of charge for the pre-test at www.stjoeparks.info. Pre-tests will be held May 15-16, with lifeguard classes to begin the week of May 18.
Upon successful completion of the pre-test, individuals will then register for one of the lifeguard class options available. After successful completion of the lifeguard course, participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.
American Red Cross lifeguarding course prerequisite skills and requirements
• Must be 15 years old (verification by official birth certificate or state issued ID) by May 22,
2015.
• 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 (must be provided
by the candidate).
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the
armpits.
• Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
1) Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim
goggles are not allowed.
2) 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 with
both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able
to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
3) Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
To successfully complete the lifeguarding course, the participant must:
• Be 15 years old by May 22, 2015 (verification by official birth certificate or state-issued ID).
• Attend and participate in all class sessions.
• Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
• Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
• Pass:
Section 1—CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid
Section 2—Lifeguarding Skills final written exam
Minimum grade of 80 percent on each test
For more information, contact Jende Smith, city of St. Joseph aquatics supervisor, at 271.5519 or
email [email protected]