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 for the first time, OR you are renewing your certification, 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 students becoming a lifeguard for the first time, or after their certification has expired.
 
COST:
$175, all non-NISD employees and students, payment due with class registration
$75, for NISD employees and students, cash or check payment is required in person with valid Employee or Student ID, before the course registration cut-off sign-up date.
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
 
Students must complete the online Blended Learning modules, sent from the Red Cross, before the first day of class. ​
  • The online session for the Lifeguarding course has 16 modules and takes approximately 6 hours to complete all modules of the online session. 

Please note, the next opportunity for classes offered by our facility might occur in the Fall of 2024.  

 
 
LIFEGUARDING REVIEW CLASSES
 
These classes are for students currently certified as a lifeguard that need to renew their certification.
 
# OF STUDENTS: 12 students max
 
COST: $120 -   will be paid to NISD Aquatics (cash or check) on the first day of class, after the student passes the prerequisite skill test.
 
LOCATION: 8400 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78249
 
 
 
 
COACHES SAFETY & FIRST AID/CPR/AED CLASSES FOR NISD EMPLOYEES
 
These classes are for Northside Coaches and Program Instructors. This course must be taken every two years.
 
PRIOR TO FIRST DAY OF CLASS:
You will also need to provide both of your online completion certifications before class starts.
If you cannot make it to the test out, you will need to become certified through an outside organization and submit your certifications to [email protected].
 
 
COST: $30 -    will be paid to NISD Aquatics (cash or check) on the first day of class.
 
LOCATION: 8400 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78249
 
Please note, the next opportunity for classes offered by our facility might occur in the Fall of 2024.  

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