AQUATICS CERTIFICATIONS
RecWell is proud to offer aquatic safety training through the American Red Cross. We offer lifeguard training classes, lifeguard instructor classes, and Water Safety Instructor classes. These programs are available to VCU students, members, and the Richmond community. If you have a passion for swimming and water safety, we want to teach you!
The American Red Cross is a nationally recognized provider of high-quality lifesaving classes. Red Cross certificates are accepted at most pools nationwide and can be supplemented with additional modules to meet a facility’s specific needs.
Participants in certification classes may also apply to work at RecWell after completing the class.
Spring 2025 Certifications
| Dates | Days | Times | Capacity | Register by noon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Safety Instructor | January 6 - January 9 | Mon - Thur | 12:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. | 6 | December 20 |
| Water Safety Instructor | May 19 - May 22 | Mon - Thur | 12:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. | 6 | May 12 |
| Lifeguard Training | February 7 - February 9 | Fri/Sat/Sun | Fri 4pm-9pm Sat/Sun 12pm-9pm |
10 | January 31 |
| Lifeguard Instructor | February 17 - February 28 | Mon/Wed/Fri |
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
6 | February 10 |
| Lifeguard Recertification | April 5 - April 6 | Sat/Sun |
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
|
10 | March 28 |
| Lifeguard Recertification | March 1 - March 2 | Sat/Sun |
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
|
10 | February 21 |
This class will prepare you to recognize, respond to, and care for aquatic and breathing/cardiac emergencies that may occur in or around the water. You will also learn critical thinking and communication skills that are crucial to an effective emergency response. This course meets the requirements for lifeguard employment at many pool facilities but may not meet requirements for waterfront, waterpark, or specialty facilities.
A valid email address is required when registering for this class.
All course participants must be 15 years of age or older on or before the last day of class.
This blended learning course contains a combination of digital and in-person instruction. Online must be completed prior to participating in the in-person skills sessions. The online content requires Internet access and audio/video capability. A link to the required online training will be provided after the registration window has closed. The online content will take approximately 8-10 hours to complete.
In order to participate in this course, candidates must be able to complete the following swimming assessment:
- Swim 300 yards continuously using a strong forward stroke such as breaststroke or front crawl
- Tread water for 2 minutes without using the hands
- Within 1 minute, 40 seconds: swim 20 yards, recover a 10-lb object from a depth of 7-10 feet, return to the starting point, and exit the water without using a ladder
We cannot offer refunds for failure to complete the required online content or swimming skills assessment.
Successful completion of this class will provide students with an American Red Cross certificate in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, First Aid, and Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years. Digital copies of certificates will be distributed once the course record is processed.
This class is for currently certified lifeguards seeking recertification. In order to participate, you must have a current American Red Cross Lifeguard certificate or be within 30 days of expiration. Proof of certification must be submitted to the instructor prior to participation in the review.
A valid email address is required when registering for this class.
In order to participate in this course, candidates must be able to complete the following swimming assessment:
- Swim 300 yards continuously using a strong forward stroke such as breaststroke or front crawl
- Tread water for 2 minutes without using the hands
- Within 1 minute, 40 seconds: swim 20 yards, recover a 10-lb object from a depth of 7-10 feet, return to the starting point, and exit the water without using a ladder
We cannot offer refunds for failure to complete the required online content or swimming skills assessment.
Successful completion of this class will provide students with an American Red Cross certificate in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, First Aid, and Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years. Digital copies of certificates will be distributed once the course record is processed.
This course is also offered for academic credit through the Recreation and Wellness Minor.
This course will prepare participants to plan and teach courses within the American Red Cross Swimming & Water Safety program. Courses include Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim, and Safety Training for Swim Coaches.
A valid email address is required when registering for this course.
This blended learning course contains a combination of digital and in-person instruction. Online must be completed prior to participating in the in-person skills sessions. The online content requires Internet access and audio/video capability. A link to the required online training will be provided after the registration window has closed. The online content will take approximately 8-10 hours to complete.
In order to participate in this course, participants must:
- Be at least 16 years of age on or before the last day of class
- Demonstrate knowledge of all required skills
We cannot offer refunds for participants who fail to complete the online material or do not meet the participation requirements.
Materials for this class will be provided on the first day of class.
Participants who successfully complete this course will receive American Red Cross certification as a Water Safety Instructor valid for 2 years. Digital copies of certificates will be distributed once the course record is processed. This course does NOT provide lifeguard or CPR/AED training.
Please contact Amanda Simmons at alsimmons@vcu.edu if you have questions about this course offering.
This course will prepare individuals to plan and teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses. Lifeguarding Instructors can also bridge to other disciplines within the American Red Cross program, including CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, basic CPR/AED, First Aid, and Basic Life Support.
A valid email address is required when registering for this course.
This blended learning course contains a combination of digital and in-person instruction. Online must be completed prior to participating in the in-person skills sessions. The online content requires Internet access and audio/video capability. A link to the required online training will be provided after the registration window has closed. The online content will take approximately 2-4 hours to complete.
In order to participate in this course, participants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age on or before the last day of class
- Possess a current American Red Cross Lifeguard certificate OR demonstrate knowledge of all required skills
- Successfully complete the Red Cross prerequisite swimming skills assessment
- Demonstrate instructor-level competency in all required lifeguard, CPR/AED, and first aid skills.
We cannot offer refunds for participants who fail to complete the online material or do not meet the participation requirements.
Required texts will be provided on the first day of class.
Successful completion of this course will provide participants with an American Red Cross certificate as a Lifeguarding Instructor, valid for 2 years. Digital copies of certificates will be distributed once the course record is processed.
Refund Policy:
Refunds for certification classes must be requested at least five (5) days prior to the registration deadline shown above. A participant may request to transfer their registration to a subsequent program offering within the same registration period. Once a transfer has been approved, no further refunds, credits, or transfers will be approved for the same purchase. Refunds will not be given for absence, dismissal from class, or failure to complete prerequisites.
If you have questions about any aquatic certification classes, please contact aquatics@vcu.edu.