Start your Aquatics Career with the Y

The Y offers YMCA of the USA lifeguard and American Red Cross Lifeguard training courses that include CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPR-PRO), First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen, equipment-based rescues for aquatic environments, accident prevention, and decision-making skills. We also offer American Red Cross Water Instructor and CPR, First Aid, and AED training courses. 

All of our classes are taught through a blended learning method of online videos and quizzes as well as classroom and pool time.

Lifeguard Training Courses

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course

Participants must be 15 years old by the end of the class. Attendance, full participation, and successful completion of written test and performance of all water skills are required.

Participants must be able to:

• Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
• 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.
• 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: 
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed. 
  • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. 
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

To learn more about any of these classes, contact us at lifeguard@seattleymca.org.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Training Course

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach the basic-level American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.

Participants must be at least 17 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course and possess a current basic-level certification in Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.

To learn more about any of these classes, contact us at lifeguard@seattleymca.org.

American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED Instructor Training Course

This course will train instructor candidates to teach basic-level American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED courses.

Participants must possess a current basic-level American Red Cross Adult CPR/AED (or higher level) certification or equivalent and be at least 16 years of age on the last day of the instructor course. 

To learn more about any of these classes, contact us at lifeguard@seattleymca.org.

Career Opportunities with the Y

If you are seeking career opportunities within the YMCA aquatics department, click here or contact us at lifeguard@seattleymca.org to find a certification class.

To see all job openings at the Y, visit our jobs page.