Marin Co Fun 2-Day Red Cross Lifeguard Training -Blended Learning

Did you know it takes as little as 2 minutes for a drowning victim to experience irreversible brain damage?

Register for our blended learning Red Cross Lifeguard Certification class and learn not only how to recognize and respond to an aquatic emergency, but also how to strategically think like a seasoned lifeguard! 

With this blended course, you’ll watch videos and do exercises online prior to the in-person class, saving you time while also setting the foundation for the face to face course content. 

• Age – participants must be 15 years old by the last day of the class.
• Blended Certificate – to participate in the in-person part of this course, participants must present their blended coursework certificate of completion to the instructor either in printed hard copy or electronic via smartphone.

• 300-yard nonstop swim demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing, using a combination of standard breaststroke and freestyle stroke. This is not timed.

• 2 minutes of treading water using only your legs.

• A timed weight-retrieval drill – participants swim 20 yards and perform a surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound weight from the bottom of the pool (7-10 feet deep). Then with the weight firmly grasped with both hands and using only legs, swim back to the starting point. Time will stop once the weight and participant have exited the water. No use of a ladder is allowed.  This drill has a 1 minute and 40-second time cap. Condition yourself ahead of the class.

Since lifeguard water rescue skills involve close physical proximity and/or physical contact, there may be an elevated risk of disease transmission, including COVID-19. By attending the class you and your parent acknowledge that you both are aware of the risks involved and give consent to participate in the class. You also agree to follow local health department guidelines regarding Covid-19 during class.

Have you, or any member(s) of your household, been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus within the last 14 days?

Have you had any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days: Fever 101 F+, unexplained body aches or pain, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, chills with or without body aches, recent loss of sense of smell or taste, unexplained sores on soles of feet, unusual fatigue, non-allergy related runny nose?

Have you traveled outside of your area or attended any large gatherings in the last 14 days?

If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, or if you are unwilling to abide by the safety measures, you will not be admitted to take the class, and will need to transfer, if available once you are well.

100% refund or transfer to another class with no fee up to 7 days before the first class start date. A transfer is only granted once with 7 days or more notice.

Transfer requests occurring 4 to 6 days prior to class start will incur paying 50% of your class ticket fee to transfer to another of our classes. No refunds are available within 6 days of class. This offsets the original class seat you bought likely not being filled at that late time.

Three days or less before class, there are no refunds or transfers.

Medical excuses or COVID-19 exceptions to this will be considered with a clear medical reason precluding the student from attending. Please email [email protected] for more information. Do NOT come to class sick. Thanks, everyone.

Registration for this course does not guarantee a Lifeguard Certification. Participants must pass the pre-requisite swim tests listed above as well as pass the exams (80% or higher) and CPR and water scenarios. If you put in the work, we will bust our butts to help you succeed. If you don't, you may not pass.  People's lives are trusting you to be competent.

• What if a parent registers their child--do I need to change the name on the enrollment ticket for the class?

1. 1. No. At the beginning of class, the student simply needs to say here when their parent's name is called. And of course, let the instructor know his or her actual name. 
   2. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will input their legal names and email directly into the Red Cross system. This is the name that will appear on the certificate and the email address it will be sent to.

• What should I bring to class?

1. 1. In addition to your blended certificate of completion, please ARRIVE ready to go in your swimsuit and goggles, facemask, sun protection, towel(s), and extra clothing and layers. You may also want to bring a notebook and pen for note-taking.

Can I bring food and snacks?

1. 1. Absolutely! Food and snacks, as well as hydrating drinks are encouraged. The class will break for an hour lunch break.  If class is at the Redwood City Elks lodge pool, please bring a sack lunch as fast food options are not very close.

• Are there financial aid scholarships for families under economic hardship?

1. Yes, for students wishing to become lifeguards who have the drive to pass the class, we can rebate you a portion of the tuition fee if you qualify for economic hardship financial need.  Students enroll normally on the website and then email us at [email protected] stating the class they are in, their swimming competency, and explain the economic hardship. Verification is sometimes needed, and our owner, Jenn, will review and approve a suitable partial refund of our fees.  In extreme cases, some full scholarships have been granted.  If you do not have the enrollment fee upfront, email [email protected] for instructions.  We wish to turn no one away who has the will to learn lifesaving and puts in the effort to pass.  On the other hand, if you don't pass because you weren't a competent swimmer or didn't put in the effort in class, the scholarship amount would be canceled and full tuition charged.

• Can I get a job with Happy Swimmers as a Lifeguard for Hire after passing this class?

Highly likely.  See below.

• Is there anything more I should know?

1. 1. Being a lifeguard is more than just learning skills and enforcing rules. It's also earning the respect of pool patrons by demonstrating an exceptional level of professionalism and maturity. Use the class to practice your professional behavior--you may just impress your future boss teaching the class!

• I still have a few questions. Who can I contact?

1. 1. Call: 866-530-4117; Text: 818-530-4117; Email: [email protected] or visit our website: HappySwimmers.com

We look forward to helping prepare you to be a Rockstar lifeguard with the best Lifeguard program in the Peninsula and Southbay!

Jenn Tyler, LGI-T

Owner, Happy Swimmers USA

30 years empowering students to save lives!

See our course calendar for other lifeguard classes on the horizon:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/[email protected]&ctz=Pacific/Honolulu

Interested in becoming a part-time, mostly weekends, flexible shifts Private Event Lifeguard for us in the Bay Area or Nationwide?  $25/hr starting plus tips for great lifeguard service equate to almost $40/hr with tips.  If you got your lifeguard certification with us, we will waive the 1-year experience requirement. Come apply to our team if you have the passion, the skill, a great attitude and want a job with true purpose.  Our guards saved 42 kids at pool parties last year.  What a feeling.

JOB APP Link: 

https://www.happyswimmers.com/job-application/

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