Upon successful completion of the lifeguard training course, participants will be certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid and, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

You will receive an email with your certificate from the Red Cross. If you lose your certificate you can go to the Red Cross Find My Certificate page and enter the email address attached to your certificate.

All certifications are for two years. However, the state of Nebraska DHHS requires anyone who wishes to lifeguard to recertify his/her CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer every year. 

Class participants must be 15 years old by the last day of class.

The Red Cross requires that lifeguards hold CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer for the Lifeguard/First Aid certification to be considered valid. In the state of Nebraska, CPR/AED certifications must be renewed annually to remain eligible for employment as a Lifeguard. There is no reduction of course fees if you hold a current CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification. Students who hold certification in lay responder certifications are required to participate in all course components to pass the course.

Students should bring the following to class each day: 
Online course completion certificate (either digital proof such as, screenshot or email of completion; or printed copy), course manual, pocket mask, swim suit, towel, lock, snacks/drinks, lunch, money if purchasing snacks/lunch out of facility, and glasses or contact case/solution. Pocket masks and course manual will be provided at the beginning of the course. 

Periodically throughout class, small breaks of 15 to 20 minutes will be taken for rest, snacks, etc. A 1-hour lunch break will be taken both Saturday and Sunday. The exact time of the lunch break will be determined based on the progress of the class that day and natural breaks in course curriculum.

Visit the Lincoln YMCA's employment site where you can learn about current openings and apply online.

Step 1: Sign up for the Pre-Skills Test online or in the branch. We recommend you sign up ahead of time and practice for the test. You must take the test at least two weeks before the class.

Step 2: You must register at the Front Desk for the Lifeguard Training class.

Step 3: Complete the 7 hours of online learning.

Step 4: Come to class with your proof of online completion.

Step 1: Register online or in the branch for the Lifeguard Review class.

Step 2: You must have your current lifeguard certification to show the instructor on the first day of class. This class does NOT have online learning.

Step 1: Register online or in the branch for Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Review.

Step 2: You must have your current lifeguard certification to show the instructor on the first day of class. This class does NOT have online learning.