Bismarck Parks & Recreation

Lifeguard & Swim Instructor Classes

American Red Cross Lifeguard Course

The primary purpose of the courses in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to:

  • Prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies.
  • Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) professionals take over.

Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) training is conducted and evaluated in water depths ranging from 0 feet to water 7 feet and greater (ranging from 8-12 feet maximum). This is a blended learning course combining online sessions with in-person sessions. The online session for the Lifeguarding course has 16 modules and takes approximately 6 hours to complete all modules of the online session. Online material is emailed to participants after registration of the course or about three weeks in advance.

Course Prerequisites

To participate in the Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) course, participants must:

  • Be at least age 15 on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding course.
  • Complete the online learning portion of the course BEFORE class begins (proof of completion required).
  • Successfully complete the following two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:
Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest: Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
1a. 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.) 2a. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed).
1b. Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. 2b. Submerge to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
1c. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. 2c. 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.
2d. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

If the candidate is not able to pass the prerequisite skills, they will be issued a full refund. No refunds will be given after the prerequisite skills session.

Males must wear boxer-style swimming suits, and females must wear one-piece swimming suits. Any person with long hair will be required to put it up or wear a swim cap.

Fees and Registration

  • $250
  • Register online or in person at the Park District office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center. Includes Fanny Pack, Adult and Infant CPR masks, and fee to Red Cross for online learning materials.
  • All class times and dates are MANDATORY.
  • GREAT BENEFIT: Submit a job application to work as a BPRD lifeguard, and we will enroll you in one of our lifeguarding classes for FREE. Can’t work immediately? Take a class now and work for us this spring or summer! Plus, enjoy a benefits pass that provides rounds of golf, driving range balls, pool passes, fitness passes and a picnic shelter reservation.

If you are interested in joining the BPRD lifeguard team, call Jahna at the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center at 751-4270 to take the class for free.

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the Lifeguarding course will be issued the following American Red Cross certificate: Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid that is valid for 2 years.

Dates Time Code
Dec. 12-13; Dec. 14-15 5-9pm; 9am-6pm 27949
March 14-16 9am-6pm 27951
April 4-6 9am-6pm 27948
REGISTER

 

Lifeguard Recertification Course

Need to be recertified? Please see course description and requirements for the Lifeguarding class, as they are the same requirements for recertification. Questions? Call Jahna at 751-4270.

* Must show proof of AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION. This class does not re-certify for other lifeguard agencies.

Fees and Registration

  • $150
  • Free for BPRD employees. Must have application submitted or be currently working.
  • Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.
Dates Time Code
Feb. 2 8am-7pm 27957
April 12 8am-7pm 27954
REGISTER

 Lifeguard Instructor Course

The Lifeguard Instructor Course trains instructor candidates how to teach American Red Cross lifeguarding, shallow water lifeguarding, aquatic attraction lifeguarding, waterfront skills, waterpark skills, first aid, CPR/AED for professional rescuers, administering emergency oxygen, and bloodborne pathogens.

Prerequisites

  • Must be at least 17 years old.
  • Possess a current Red Cross certification in Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED
  • Complete the online Lifeguard Instructor course through the ARC learning center before the first day of class. An email will be sent with instructions after registration.
  • Pass two rescue skill scenarios that test lifeguarding and CPR (on the first day of class)

Fees, Certification and Registration

  • $300
  • 2-year American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification
  • Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.
  • All Class times and dates are MANDATORY. 
Dates Time Code
Nov. 22; Nov. 23-24 4-8pm; 8am-5pm 27869
April 4; April 5-6 12-4pm; 8am-5pm 27958
REGISTER

Lifeguard Instructor Review Course

This in-person skills orientation is for CURRENT Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors and Instructor Trainers who must complete the in-person skills to update their Red Cross LGI/LGIT certification(s). All instructors participating must have successfully completed the Red Cross instructor online update PRIOR to participating in the LGI/LGIT update.

Participants must bring to class

  • Proof of online update completion
  • Lifeguard Instructors manual
  • Infant and adult CPR Mask
  • Swimming suit and towel
  • Proof of blended learning online completion
    (lifeguard renewal)

Fees and Registration

  • $60
  • Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.
Dates Time Code
TBA
REGISTER

Water Safety Instructor Class

The Water Safety Instructor Certification Course trains WSI candidates how to teach courses and presentations in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants’ progress.

Prerequisites

  • WSI candidates must be at least 15 years old
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills (to be demonstrated on the first day of class):
    • Swim the following strokes consistent with Level 4:
      – Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke, Elementary Backstroke, Sidestroke – 25 yards; Butterfly – 15 yards
      – Back float for one minute (floating or sculling)
      – Tread water for one minute

Required Online Course

  • Once registered, participants will receive instructions via email for the Red Cross Online Learning. The email will be sent no earlier than about 3 weeks before the class begins. The online material must be fully completed before the first day of class. Proof of completion is required before class begins.

Fees and Registration

  • $250
  • Register online or in person at the Park District Office or BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center. Includes online fee to Red Cross for online learning materials.
  • All class times and dates are MANDATORY.
Dates Time Code
TBA
REGISTER

Employment

For information on how to apply for a Lifeguard position, please visit our Jobs Page.