Friends of Virgin Islands National Park and St. John Rescue are hosting an American Red Cross In Person Lifeguarding course Thursday March 7 (8am to 5pm), Friday March 8 (8am to 5pm), and Saturday March 9 (8am to 11am) at the St. John Rescue Building with Pedro Altieri of Total Aquatics of Puerto Rico as the instructor.

 

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. Students will receive training in lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR, and AED.

 

Candidates must be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course. They must be able to swim 300 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. To do this, they may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used. Candidates must also be able to tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs with their hands under the armpits. Candidates must complete the following within 1 minute and 40 seconds: starting in the water, swim 20 yards without swim goggles face in or out. Surface dive feet first or head first to a depth of 7 – 10 feet to retrieve a 10 pound object. Then return to the surface and swim 20 yards holding to 10 pound object using both hands.