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Training & Certifications
The Calvert County Parks & Recreation Aquatics Division offers a variety of American Red Cross certification courses for lifeguarding, swim lesson instruction and pool operation.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course
The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is a comprehensive program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. This certification covers essential topics such as water rescue techniques, first aid, CPR, and AED use. Participants engage in hands-on training and simulations to enhance their ability to assess situations and react effectively. Upon successful completion of the course, individuals will receive certification and will be well-prepared to ensure the safety of swimmers and promote a positive aquatic environment.
Prerequisites
- Must be at least 15 years of age prior to the end of the course.
- Must be able to complete a swim-tread-swim sequence, consisting of a 150-yard swim, followed immediately by a 2-minute tread without the use of arms, followed immediately by a 50-yard swim.
- Must be able to complete the brick test, which consists of swimming a little more than half the length of the pool, fully submerging and retrieving a 10lb brick from the bottom (about 7 feet deep), and swimming back to the wall while holding the brick on your chest with both hands. The brick test must be done in 1 minute and 45 seconds or less.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Recertification
The American Red Cross Lifeguard recertification course is designed for currently certified lifeguards whose certifications are nearing expiration or have expired within a 30-day grace period.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor
The American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course is designed to train individuals to become certified instructors for Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED courses. This course prepares candidates to plan, conduct, and evaluate lifeguard training sessions.
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 17 years of age prior to the last day of the course.
- Must possess a current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid.
- Obtain instructor and participant course materials before starting the course.
- Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course prior to the pre-course session.
- Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario to continue in the course. The prerequisite skill assessment scenario evaluates the following skills:
- Entry
- Swimming Approach
- Surface dive in deep water (7 to 10 feet)
- Passive submerged rescue
- Rapid extrication (with an assisting rescuer)
- Rapid assessment
- Single-Rescuer CPR (3 minutes)
Lifeguard Instructor / Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Recertification
The purpose of the American Red Cross r. 24 Lifeguarding Instructor / Instructor Trainer Recertification course is to give instructors the opportunity to review the course knowledge and skills within a formal course setting to maintain their American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certification. Successfully completing this course is the only method for maintaining certification as an American Red Cross Lifeguarding instructor or American Red Cross Lifeguarding instructor Trainer.
Prerequisites
- Possess a current, or expired by no more than 1-year, American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor or American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer certification.
- Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor or American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer Recertification course prior to the in-person session.
Junior Lifeguard Course
The American Red Cross Junior Lifeguard Program is designed for youth ages 11-14 years, providing them with foundational knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become future lifeguards. The course introduces participants to key elements of lifeguarding, such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. It includes both in-water and dry-land activities, with a focus on victim recognition, rescue skills, first aid, CPR, and developing swimming endurance.
For course schedules and to register please call the Aquatic Center at 410-414-8350.
American Red Cross Basic Swim Instructor Course
The Basic Swim Instructor, also known as BSI, course trains instructor candidates to teach the fundamental Learn-to-swim courses including Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-3 and private swimming lessons (for the courses listed). BSI candidates are not required to perform advanced swimming strokes and skills such as butterfly, backstroke, and diving.
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 16 years of age prior to the last day of the course.
- Must be able to demonstrate the ability to preform the following strokes consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts, Level 3:
- Front Crawl (25 yards)
- Breaststroke (25 yards)
- Elementary Backstroke (25 yards)
- Sidestroke (25 yards)
- Must be able to complete the following Water Competency Sequence:
- Step into water and total submerge.
- Float or tread water for 1 minute
- Rotate 1 full circle and orient exit
- Swim 25 yards without stopping
- Exit the water without using steps or ladder
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course
The Water Safety Instructor, also known as WSI™, course trains instructor candidates to teach all the courses presented in the Swimming and Water Safety program to all age groups; all of the courses listed above, plus Learn-to-Swim Levels 4-6 and Adult Swim. This certification is the gold standard and provides the most comprehensive training for swim instructors.
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 16 years of age prior to the last day of the course.
- Must be able to demonstrate the following strokes consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts, Level 4:
- Front Crawl (25 yards)
- Backstroke (25 yards)
- Breaststroke (25 yards)
- Sidestroke (25 yards)
- Elementary Backstroke (25 yards)
- Butterfly (15 yards)
- Must be able to maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
- Must be able to tread water for 1 minute.
For course schedules and to register please call the Aquatic Center at 410-414-8350.
Pool Operator Course
The Certified Pool Operator (CPO) program equips participants with essential knowledge and skills to safely manage and maintain pool facilities. The course covers topics like water chemistry, disinfection, filtration, circulation, troubleshooting, safety hazards, local and state regulations, and the management of pool systems and chemicals.