Lifeguard and Safety Courses
We are not scheduling public group classes at this time. However, we are hiring in aquatics and will certify once hired/as needed.
ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE! 
To register for classes please select one of the following.
- ONLINE – Quick and easy!
- Call the Customer Service Desk, at 703-993-8513, or come in to register.
- American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard Training
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Review “Recertification”
- American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
- American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Review “Recertification”
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course
- Water Safety Instructor Course
To register for classes please click here or download a Program Registration Form and select one of the following:
All Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center programs require registration in advance.
Evaluate your program HERE!
American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard Training (Ages 15 and Up)
This course covers the fundamental skills required to become a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard. Students must pass a prerequisite swimming test on the first day of the course in order to continue class and must be 15 years old by the last day of the class to become certified. Certification does not guarantee employment at our facility. However, seasonally there are openings for lifeguard positions at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center. Choose one session for certification.
***There is a $50.00 Cancellation Fee if you choose to cancel this course within 2 weeks prior to the start date, or neglect to show up for the course all together.
PREREQUISITES for ARC Lifeguard Course
Participants must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session. If you are 15 you must provide proof of age (Military ID, birth certificate, learners permit, etc.).
On the first day of class, participants will meet on the pool deck (1st set of bleachers) in your swim suit ready to perform the following prerequisites:
- Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You may swim using front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of these strokes only; swimming on back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. You should place your hands under your armpits.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Swim goggles are NOT allowed.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back returning to the starting point. Both hands should be holding the object at all times while keeping your face at or near the surface of the water. Time stops when you exit the water ans stand on deck.
*You must pass all the prerequisites in order to continue on with the rest of the course.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS for ARC Lifeguard Course
Course work will include physical exercise. If you have a medical condition or disability, or if you have any question about your ability to participate fully in this course, please discuss them with your physician or health care provider before you start this course.
- Attend and participate in all class sessions
- Participate in all skill sessions/drills and demonstrate competency in all required activities and scenarios
- Demonstrate competency in all required final skill scenarios
- Pass all final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent
CERTIFICATE ISSUED for ARC Lifeguard Course
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.
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EMPLOYMENT
Certification does not guarantee employment at our facility. If you are interested in applying for a lifeguarding position at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, applications can be found at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. (Location: Prince William)
Keep in mind that not all facilities accept American Red Cross certifications. Please check with the individual facility you are interested in applying to find out what certifications they require.
Back to the TopAmerican Red Cross Lifeguard Review/Recertification (Ages 15 and up)
The participant will have the opportunity to view video segments, practice and perform skills and scenarios for evaluation as well as completing final written exams. Participants must possess a current Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification card. Participant must have your own participant’s manual and pocket mask. Participants must be able to attend both class sessions.
***There is a $50.00 Cancellation Fee if you choose to cancel this course within 2 weeks prior to the start date, or neglect to show up for the course all together.
PREREQUISITES for ARC Lifeguard Review “Recertification” Course
Participants must hold current lifeguard certification from the American Red Cross.
On the first day of class, participants will meet on the pool deck (1st set of bleachers) in your swim suit ready to perform the following prerequisites:
- Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You may swim using front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. You should place your hands under your armpits.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Swim goggles are NOT allowed.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back returning to the starting point. Both hands should be holding the object at all times while keeping your face at or near the surface of the water. Time stops when you exit the water.
*You must pass all the prerequisites in order to continue on with the rest of the course.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS for ARC Lifeguard Review “Recertification” Course
Course work will include physical exercise. If you have a medical condition or disability or if you have any question about your ability to participate fully in this course please discuss them with your physician or health care provider before you start this course.
- Attend and participate in both class sessions
- Participate in all skill sessions/drills and demonstrate competency in all required activities and scenarios
- Demonstrate competency in all required final skill scenarios
- Pass both final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent
CERTIFICATE ISSUED for ARC Lifeguard Review “Recertification” Course
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.
EMPLOYMENT
Certification does not guarantee employment at our facility. If you are interested in applying for a lifeguarding position at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center applications can be found at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. (Location: Prince William)
Keep in mind that not all facilities accept American Red Cross certifications. Please check with the individual facility you are interested in applying to find out what certifications they require.
Back to the TopAmerican Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard Instructor Course (Ages 17 and up)
Lifeguard instructor candidates will be trained to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguard Course.
Prerequisites: Must be 17 years old by the last day of class. Must successfully complete the prerequisite skill for lifeguarding, attend and participate in all class sessions, demonstrate competency in all required skills, pass two written exams with a minimum grade of 80% and demonstrate competency in all three final rescue skill scenarios. Successful completion of this course will certify the candidate as an ARC Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR/AED Instructor.
| Coming Soon | 9am-6pm | $350 |
***There is a $50.00 Cancellation Fee if you choose to cancel this course within 2 weeks prior to the start date, or neglect to show up for the course all together.
First day check in:
Please report to the pool deck (1st set of bleachers) in your swim suit ready to demonstrate the prerequisites listed below. Feel Free to bring snack foods and a lunch with you. You will have a half hour lunch break each day.
PREREQUISITES for ARC Lifeguard Instructor Course
- Must be at least 17 years old by the last day of class.
- Possess one of the following certifications:
- Current American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED
- An equivalent certificate from another organization
- Successfully complete the online Orientation to the Red Cross and Lifeguarding course
- Successfully complete the online Lifeguarding Instructor Precourse Exam with an 80%
- Successfully complete Lifeguarding Prerequisite Skills:
- Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You may swim using front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. You should place your hands under your armpits.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Swim goggles are NOT allowed.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back returning to the starting point. Both hands should be holding the object at all times while keeping your face at or near the surface of the water. Time stops when you exit the water.
*You must pass all the prerequisites in order to continue on with the rest of the course.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS for ARC Lifeguard Instructor Course
Course work will include physical exercise. If you have a medical condition or disability or if you have any question about your ability to participate fully in this course please discuss them with your physician or health care provider before you start this course.
- Attend and participate in all class sessions
- Participate in all skill sessions/drills and demonstrate competency in all required activities and scenarios
- Demonstrate competency in all required final skill scenarios
- Pass final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent
Water Safety Instructor Certification
The purpose of the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course is to train instructor candidates 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. WSI candidates are trained to teach all levels of American Red Cross swimming classes. Must be able to attend the pretest as well as all four course dates and times to participate.
***There is a $50.00 Cancellation Fee if you choose to cancel this course within 2 weeks prior to the start date, or neglect to show up for the course all together.
First day check in:
Please report to the pool deck (1st set of bleachers) in your swim suit ready to demonstrate the prerequisites. Feel Free to bring snack foods and a lunch with you. You will have a half hour lunch break each day.
PREREQUISITES for the ARC Water Safety Instructor Course
- Participants must be at least 16 years old by last day of class session
- Complete the online Orientation to the ARC Swimming and Diving Course
- Ability to swim the following stroke and distance with demonstration quality:
- Front Crawl (25 yard)
- Back Crawl (25 yards)
- Butterfly (15 yards)
- Breaststroke (25 yards)
- Elementary backstroke (25 yards)
- Sidestroke (25 yards)
- Floating on back in deep water for 1 minute
- Tread water for 1 minute
*You must pass all the prerequisites in order to continue on with the rest of the course.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS for ARC Water Safety Instructor Course
Course work will include physical exercise. If you have a medical condition or disability or if you have any question about your ability to participate fully in this course please discuss them with your physician or health care provider before you start this course.
- Attend and participate in all class sessions
- Participate in all skill sessions/drills and demonstrate competency in all required activities and scenarios
- Demonstrate competency in all required final skill scenarios
- Pass final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent
CERTIFICATE ISSUED for ARC Water Safety Instructor Course
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Water Safety Instructor, valid for 2 years.
EMPLOYMENT
Certification does not guarantee employment at our facility. If you are interested in applying for a water safety instructor position at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center applications can be found at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. (Location: Prince William)
Back to the TopNational Swimming Pool Foundation Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Course
The purpose of this course is to train candidates in the knowledge and techniques relating to pool safety and operations. Topics include: government regulations, risk management, pool calculations, filtration systems, water chemistry and balance, pool management and maintenance, and seasonal care. This course is often required by many commercial and public pool staff throughout the states.
| Coming Soon | 9am to 6pm | $350 |
For more information please contact Ashley Henderson at ahender5@gmu.edu or 703-993-8533.
All Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center programs require registration in advance.
