Lifeguarding Course

Lifeguarding Course

Dates

Lifeguarding Certification
This courses prepares candidates to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to aquatic emergencies and prevent drowning and other incidents. After successful completion of the course, participants will receive the following certifications: Lifeguard Training (2 years), First Aid (2 years), Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for The Professional Rescuer (2 years) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) (2 years).

If you have any questions, please email Jessica Benoy (jkb12@rice.edu).

2023 Upcoming Courses:
March 31 - April 1, 2023
Days: Friday & Saturday
Times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m
*To register, please contact Jessica Benoy at jkb12@rice.edu

Fees

Fees include instruction, certification, facilities and materials.

Rice Student - $150 (Fee may be waived if waiver requirements are met.)

Non Rice Student - $225

Waiver Requirements

You must be enrolled in at least 6 hours at Rice University to qualify.

  • Passing the Lifeguard course and earning a Lifeguard certification does not guarantee employment. Students must attend a scheduled hiring session with the aquatics director. If the student does not attend a hiring session, the student will owe the full course fee of $150.
  • Students must commit to working for the Rice Recreational Aquatic Center.

Prerequisites

Participants must be at least 16 years of age by the last day of class. Those under 18 must provide identification.
The first class day will consist of the prerequisite swimming skills evaluation. Satisfactory completion of the skills must be achieved in order to take the course and become certified. If not satisfactorily completed, the participant will not be able to continue in the course and the participant will lose $30.

The following prerequisites will be tested on the first day of the course:

  • Swim 300 meters continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You may swim using 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 legs. You should place your hands under your armpits.
  • Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 meters. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
    • Surface drive, feet-first or head-first to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
    • Return to the surface and swim 20 meters on your back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object while keeping your face at or near the surface so you are able to get a breath. You should not swim the distance under the water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Register

This is a Blended Learning course. You are expected to complete readings and assignments outside of the in-class time. If you fail to complete readings or assignments on time, you will not be able to continue in the course and you will not receive a refund. Before the first day of class you will need to read lessons 1-6 and complete assignments for lessons 1-4. This means you must bring with you to the first day of class your printed progress reports for lessons 1-4. Once you register, you will receive more information about the lifeguarding manual and the online assignments.