American Red Cross Professional Lifeguard Certification

At Northside Aquatics, lifeguarding and water safety courses are available most of the year – from trained professionals who can help you gain the skills and confidence necessary for providing care and instruction when it's needed most. By offering a wide range of courses throughout the year, you can become certified, or earn your recertification when it suits you best. Courses available include Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Review, Lifeguarding Instructor, and Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Review.   
 
 
Lifeguarding Prerequisite Test:
 
If you are becoming a lifeguard, you need to make sure you will be able to successfully pass the prerequisite test. The Lifeguarding Prerequisites are completed on the 1st Day of Class:
  • Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding course.
  • Successfully complete the 2 (two) prerequisite swimming skills evaluations: 
    • Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:
      • ​​Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.  (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)
      • Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 (two) minutes by treading water using only the legs
      • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both
    • Prerequisite 2: Complete a times event within 1 minute, 40 seconds: ​
      • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are NOT allowed).
      • Surface dive (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 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface. 
      • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. 
Please know that prerequisites will occur on the first day of class. 
There are no refunds for Lifeguard Classes.
If you do not pass the prerequisites, we will not issue a refund.  
If you do not complete the online sessions prior to the first day of class, we will not issue a refund. 
 
LIFEGUARDING CLASSES
 
These classes are for becoming a lifeguard for the first time.
 
COST:
$200, all non-NISD students, payment (credit card) is due when registering for a class.
$100, for NISD students, registration and payment (credit card, check or cash) is required in person with valid Student ID at either pool office with the cashier. The cashiers will provide a coupon code during the in-person registration for this discount. 
Cashiers are available at both pools, Monday - Friday from 8 am to 8 pm to assist with registration in person. 
There are no refunds for Lifeguard Classes; if you do not pass the prerequisite or complete the online session, we will not issue a refund. 
Questions? Please call NISD Natatorium for more information 
 
LOCATION: 8400 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78249
 
Participants must complete the online Lifeguard Learning modules prior to attending in-person classes. Your access to the Lifeguard Learning module will be sent to your registered email address from the Red Cross (please do not use your student email address).   ​
  • The online session for the Lifeguarding course has 16 modules and takes approximately 6 hours to complete all modules of the online session. 
  • The online session must be fully completed prior to arriving for your in-person class.  
  • You are required to attend the entire class you register for, please note the day and class times you are registering to attend.

All Lifeguard Classes have concluded for the Spring and Summer 2025.

 
 
 
 
 

Need to reach out to our Safety Manager?
Michael Bird
email