Lifeguard Training

AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION COURSE


COURSE DESCRIPTION

This American Red Cross certification course trains swimmers to become lifeguards. It covers the skills and knowledge required for effective lifeguarding at swimming pools and at non-surf, open-water beaches. Participants must be at least 15 years old and must be able to pass a swimming test given on the first day of class. Fee includes the cost of equipment. This is the blended learning version of the Red Cross lifeguarding program, which utilizes both in-person and online instruction.

Please contact aquatics@northwestern.edu for more information about the lifeguard training course.


REGISTRATION

We are currently planning our next class for Winter 2026. You will be able to register online by clicking the link below or by calling the Membership Office at 847-491-4303.
  Registration Tips:
  • You will need to sign in (or create an account).
  • If you are a parent, you need to add your child to your account first and then register your child for the course.
  • You need to enter the birth date of the participant.
  • Be sure to select the correct semester on the left side of the registration website (desktop) or at the top of the page (mobile).
  • Trouble registering? Please call the Membership Office at 847-491-4303.
 

SPRING 2025 CLASS SCHEDULE

CLASS DATES CLASS TIMES REGISTRATION PERIOD
Sunday, April 13
Sunday, April 27
Sunday, May 18		 4/13: 6pm – 8:30pm
4/27: 9:30am – 6:30pm
5/18: 9:30am – 6:30pm		 Feb 17 - April 11 Closed

 

COURSE FEES
  • Northwestern Student: $250
  • Member: $275
  • Non-Member: $300
 

PRE-TEST

The first class session will start with the pretest. Participants who fail the pretest will be given a refund.
  • Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence: Swim 150 yards, then tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs, then swim 50 yards. Participants must swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
  • Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards back to the starting point and exit the pool with the object within 1 minute 40 seconds. Goggles are not allowed for this portion of the test.
     

CERTIFICATIONS EARNED FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL CLASS COMPLETION
  • American Red Cross Lifeguard Training (valid for two years)
  • American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (valid for two years)
  • American Red Cross First Aid (valid for two years)
 

CLASS LOCATION

Classes are held on the Evanston campus at the Norris Aquatics Center, located at 2311 Campus Drive. Click here for directions. Parking is available in the North Garage, attached to the Norris Aquatics Center. Take elevator "A" to the first floor to reach the facility entrance.

The Norris Aquatics Center features a 25-yard x 50-meter pool and is home to the Northwestern Varsity Swimming and Diving teams. The water temperature is kept at a cool 80 degrees. Water depth ranges from 4 feet to 15 feet.

Participants will meet on the pool bleachers before class.
 

REFUNDS

Click here for the aquatics refund request form and policies.  You may need to save the file to your computer to utilize all the functions of the PDF. Refunds are available for participants who fail the pre-test.
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