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About our aquatics courses

To search for and register for a class online, click here.
Questions about classes :

Basic Water Rescue

The purpose of the Class is provide individuals with the information and skills necessary to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. This course will also prepare individuals for aquatic emergencies by teaching them how to protect themselves when assisting others. This course is not a substitute for Lifeguarding Certification.

Contact the following for more information:

  • Brian Coffey at Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Carolina Pool Management, 704.788.7946
  • Charlotte Aquatics, 704.341.9673
  • Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Charlotte Swim Club Management, 704.766.2726
  • Craig Blaine at Aquatic Innovations, 980-329-7170
  • Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, 704.846.5335
  • Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 704.336.3483
  • Open Water Adventures, 704.547.5991
  • Rays Splash Planet, 704.432.1141
  • UNC-Charlotte, 704.547.2560
  • U.S. Aquatics Carolina, 704.504.3317

Lifeguard Instructor

Instructor candidates learn to teach Lifeguard Training (including First Aid), CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Lifeguard Management, AED Essentials, Oxygen Administration, Preventing Disease Transmission, Community Water Safety and Basic Water Rescue.

Upon successful completion, students receive Lifeguard Instructor certificate valid for 2 years if you teach within that time period.

Course Length: 27 hours
Fee: Set by individual Aquatic Facilities

Course is offered on various dates at several locations throughout the Greater Carolinas Area. Contact the following for specifics:

  • Brian Coffey at Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Carolina Aquatic Professionals, 704.516.2525
  • UNC-Charlotte, 704.547.2560
  • Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Mike Dellinger, 704.488.5396
  • Lake Norman YMCA, 704.716.4400
  • Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics, 704.766.2222

Requirements:
  • 17 years of age prior to last date of class.
  • Possess Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) Certificate, or be a current American Red Cross instructor in another specialty area.
  • Successfully pass pre-course exam which includes written test and swim test.
  • Successfully complete pre-course on first day of course which includes:
  • Swim 300 yards (front crawl & breaststroke)
  • 20 yard swim & brick retrieval from 7-10 depth of water (timed skill)

Lifeguard Management

The purpose of the Lifeguard Management course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage lifeguards and to create an environment that keeps patrons, lifeguards, and the aquatic facility safe. 
Fee includes course text with CD-Rom.

Upon successful completion, students receive Lifeguard Management certification valid so long as the Lifeguard Training Instructor certificate is maintained.

Course Length: 7 hours
*NOTE: course fee set by individual facilities.

Contact the following for more information:

  • Brian Coffey at Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Carolina Pool Management, 704.788.7946
  • Charlotte Aquatics, 704.341.9673
  • Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Charlotte Swim Club Management, 704.766.2726
  • Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, 704.846.5335
  • Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 704.336.3483
  • Open Water Adventures, 704.547.5991
  • Rays Splash Planet, 704.432.1141
  • UNC-Charlotte, 704.547.2560
  • U.S. Aquatics Carolina, 704.504.3317

Requirements:

Recommended for individuals with lifeguard or management experience.

Lifeguard Review Course

This review session gives currently certified lifeguards an opportunity to review, practice and test out of Lifeguard Training, First Aid, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and Oxygen Administration.
Students must bring CPR pocket masks or purchase a new one from the Red Cross for $15, prior to course start date. Extra CPR masks will not be available at the class.

Participants receive Lifeguard Training and First Aid certifications valid for 3 years, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification valid for 1 year.

*NOTE: course fee set by individual facilities.

Course Length: at least 12 hours

Contact the following for more information:

  • Brian Coffey at Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Carolina Pool Management, 704.788.7946
  • Charlotte Aquatics, 704.341.9673
  • Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Charlotte Swim Club Management, 704.766.2726
  • Craig Blaine at Aquatic Innovations, 980-329-7170
  • Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, 704.846.5335
  • Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 704.336.3483
  • Open Water Adventures, 704.547.5991
  • Rays Splash Planet, 704.432.1141
  • UNC-Charlotte, 704.547.2560
  • U.S. Aquatics Carolina, 704.504.3317

Requirements:

Prerequisites:
* 15 years of age.
* Students must provide a copy of current Lifeguard/CPR/PR certifications.
* Successfully complete pre-course exam on the first day of the course, including:
* Swim 300 yards (front crawl & breaststroke)
* 20 yard swim & brick retrieval from 7-10ft depth of water (timed skill)

Lifeguard Training

Teaches lifeguard candidates the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.

Participants receive Lifeguard Training and First Aid certifications valid for 3 years, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification valid for 1 year, program text and pocket mask.

*NOTE: course fee set by individual facilities.

Contact the following for specifics:

  • Brian Coffey at Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Brenda Ward at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 704-336-3483
  • Carolina Pool Management, 704.788.7946
  • Charlotte Aquatics, 704.341.9673
  • Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Charlotte Swim Club Management, 704.766.2726
  • Craig Blaine at Aquatic Innovations
  • Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, 704.846.5335
  • Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 704.336.3483
  • Open Water Adventures, 704.547.5991
  • Rays Splash Planet, 704.432.1141
  • UNC-Charlotte, 704.547.2560
  • USA Pools, www.usapools.com
  • U.S. Aquatics Carolina, 704.504.3317
  • Mike Dellinger, 704.488.5396
  • Nomad Aquatics and Fitness, 704.949.1542
  • Huntersville Family Fitness, 704.771.8466

Requirements:

Prerequisite:
• 15 years of age prior to last date of class.
• Successfully complete pre-course exam on the first day of the course, including:
-Swim 300 yards (front crawl & breaststroke)
-20 yard swim & brick retrieval from 7-10ft. depth of water (timed skill)

Safety Training for Swim Coaches

Provides training in aquatic safety for competitive swim coaches, officials, athletic trainers, athletes participating in aquatic activities, aquatic exercise trainers and other individuals involved in aquatic competition and/or exercise programs.

Upon successful completion, students receive Safety Training for Swim Coaches certification valid for three years.

Course Length:  8 hour minimum
*NOTE: course fee set by individual facilities.

Requirements:

None

Small Craft Water Safety

This class will help the participant recognize, prevent and respond to small craft emergencies. The participant will learn small craft trip planning, supervision and emergency preparation. The participant will also learn how to protect themselves while assisting others. This class should be taken in conjunction with Basic Water Rescue.

For more information about this course, call Colleen Dougher at 704.347.8508 or e-mail .

Requirements:
  • Participant must be able to tread water for 1 minute without a lifejacket
  • Swim any stroke for 25 yards without a lifejacket.
  • Swim any stroke for 25 yards while wearing a lifejacket.
  • Demonstrate basic boat-handling skills for the chosen small craft being certified on.

Water Safety

The American Red Cross has been the leader in aquatic training for more than 90 years. The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program offers a complete program for swimmers of all ages and levels – from beginners to advanced – for children from 6 months through adults of any age.  Whether you are looking for instruction for yourself or family, the American Red Cross offers a course to meet your needs.

Parent and Child Aquatics
The Parent and Child Aquatics Swim Program builds swimming readiness for children ages 6 months to 5 years by emphasizing fun in the water.

Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-6
American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim features a unique six-level approach. Courses are fun, interactive and taught by Red Cross-trained water safety instructors. The prerequisite for each level is successful demonstration of the skills taught in the preceding level. Beginners start at Level 1, which has no prerequisite.

Adult Swim Lessons
American Red Cross swim instruction is available for adults with various swimming abilities and experiences.

Land Based Water Safety Presentations
Whale’s Tales, General Water Safety, Water Safety Today, and Home Pool Safety presentations are available at your neighborhood pool and Greater Carolinas American Red Cross. Please call to inquire about scheduling presentations at your home, civic group, or association.

For more information, contact the following:

  • Brian Coffey at Charlotte Safety Training, 704-281-4986
  • Craig Blaine at Aquatic Innovations, 980.329.7170
  • Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, 704.846.5335
  • Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 704.336.3483
  • Rays Splash Planet, 704.432.1141
  • UNC-Charlotte, 704.547.2560

Water Safety Instructor

Instructor candidates learn how to teach water safety education, including the Basic Water Rescue course, Learn to Swim Program (6 levels) and the Parent and Child Aquatics course.

Upon successful completion, students receive Water Safety Instructor certificate valid for 3 years if you teach annually within that time period.

Course Length: 30 hours
Fee: Set by individual Aquatic Facilities

Course is offered on various dates at several locations throughout the Greater Carolinas Area.

Contact the following for more information:

  • Brian Coffey at Charlotte Safety Training, 704-281-4986
  • Carolina Pool Management, 704.788.7946
  • Charlotte Aquatics, 704.341.9673
  • Charlotte Safety Training, 704.281.4986
  • Charlotte Swim Club Management, 704.766.2726
  • Craig Blaine at Aquatic Innovations, 980.329.7170
  • Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, 704.846.5335
  • Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 704.336.3483
  • Open Water Adventures, 704.547.5991
  • Rays Splash Planet, 704.432.1141
  • UNC-Charlotte, 704.547.2560
  • U.S. Aquatics Carolina, 704.504.3317
  • Mike Dellinger, 704.488.5396

Requirements:

16 years of age prior to last date of class.
Possess Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) Certificate, or be a current American Red Cross instructor in another specialty area.
Successfully pass pre-course exam which includes: swimming 25 yards of front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and 15 yards of butterfly; maintain position on back 1 minute in deep water (float or sculling); tread water for 1 minute.