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Lifeguard certification and Aquatic Safety programs are available at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. These courses provide the necessary skills for those who work at the Y and others who want to become certified.
  • The YMCA offers a full lifeguard training course that includes ASHI, BLS, First Aid and oxygen equipment-based rescues for aquatic environments, accident prevention and decision-making skills.
  • Participants must be 16 years old by the end of the class. Online prework, attendance, full participation, successful completion of written tests and performance of all water skills are required.
  • If you’re interested in working as a lifeguard for the YMCA, training may be available at no cost to you. Contact our branch aquatics directors for additional information.
Detailed Description of Training Programs
  • Tread water for at least 2 minutes.
  • Swim 100 yards of front crawl
  • Swim 50 yards each of front craw with head up, sidestroke, breaststroke, breaststroke with head up, inverted breaststroke kick with hands on stomach
  • Perform a feet-first surface dive in 8 to 10 feet of water and then swim underwater for 15 feet
  • Perform a series of tasks given by the instructor to demonstrate listening and scanning ability as well as stamina and endurance

*All trainings will include required e-learnings. These will be distributed a week before the in-person sessions and need to be completed before those begin.

Certifications Offered
  • YMCA Lifeguard V6  Certification
  • ASHI CPR Pro for the Professional Rescuer (CPR Pro), includes adults, children, and infants
  • ASHI Basic First Aid
  • ASHI Emergency Oxygen Administration
  • ASHI Automated External Defibrillation (AED)