Please choose the certification you are interested in:

At Bayouland YMCA, we are dedicated to equipping our community with the essential skills and certifications needed to ensure safety and preparedness in various environments. Our Lifeguard Certification program is designed to train and certify individuals in the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent and recognize aquatic risks and respond effectively to emergencies. Participants will also receive certification from the American Red Cross for Professional Lifeguard and Emergency CPR & First-aid. With comprehensive training, our lifeguard classes ensure that participants are well-prepared to handle real-life situations, making our pools and aquatic facilities safer for everyone.

In addition to lifeguard training, we offer a range of American Heart Association courses tailored to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and the general public. Our BLS for Healthcare Providers course teaches high-quality CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants, making it ideal for doctors, nurses, and medical students. The First Aid/CPR/AED course covers essential first aid skills, recognition of life-threatening emergencies, and the proper use of an AED. For those in need of OSHA certification, our Heart Saver Total course is perfect for coast guard or offshore workers. Each of these courses is designed to provide comprehensive training and certification, ensuring that our community is prepared to handle emergencies with confidence.

American Heart Association Courses

BLS for Healthcare Providers - American Heart Association's BLS Course teaches healthcare professionals how to perform high-quality CPR individually or as part of a team. BLS skills are applicable to any healthcare setting. BLS students will learn rescue techniques for adults, children, and infants. This course is for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical students. Members $75 Non-Members $85 Price includes book.

First Aid/CPR/AED Course - In this course, you will learn the basics of first aid, the most common life-threatening emergencies, how to recognize them, and how to help. You will also learn how to recognize when someone needs CPR, how to call for help, and how to give CPR and use an AED. Members $75 Non-Members $90

First Aid/CPR/AED Course - In this course, you will learn the basics of first aid, the most common life-threatening emergencies, how to recognize them, and how to help. You will also learn how to recognize when someone needs CPR, how to call for help, and how to give CPR and use an AED. Members $75 Non-Members $90

Lifeguard Certifications

Lifeguard Certification is designed to train and certify individuals in the knowledge and skills necessary to help prevent and recognize aquatic risks and respond to emergencies.

Participants will also be certified through the American Red Cross for Professional Lifeguard and Emergency CPR & First-aid.

Lifeguard Class Schedule

March 25 - 29

  • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Briargate Y

March 27 - 31

  • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Southeast

Interested in getting your Lifeguard Certification?

Prerequisite Requirements

  • Participants must be 15 years old at the completion of the lifeguard class.
  • Successfully pass required physical competency – see below for details.

To begin the process, please apply online.

Apply for Lifeguard Jobs

For more information, contact:

Physical Competency Required

Completion of a pre-swim is a requirement to gain admittance into a lifeguard class. All physical competency tests are being conducted at the interview for lifeguard positions. Please apply online if you are looking to receive certification without employment.

The physical competency test includes:

Phase 1:

  • 2 minutes of treading water with legs only.

Phase 2:

  • Swim 100 yards (1 lap) of each of the following strokes:
    • Front Crawl – head up
    • Breaststroke
    • Breaststroke – head up
    • Sidestroke
    • Elementary backstroke with hands on chest (inverted whip kick)

Phase 3:

  • Sprint 60 ft of front crawl and do an arm over arm surface dive to retrieve an object from the bottom at 7 ft. Then finish the length of the pool.