Certification Courses

Supporting the Community's Aquatic Safety Needs

All American Red Cross courses are taught in the world-class Mizzou Aquatic Center. The American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED program helps participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies. The courses in this program teach skills that participants need to know to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. This program offers a choice of first aid, CPR and AED courses to meet the various training needs of a diverse audience and is offered in traditional classroom or blended learning (online learning with instructor-led skill session) formats.

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Training provides complete training to students through videos, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn teamwork, rescue and surveillance skills, First Aid and CPR/AED and other skills you need to work as a professional lifeguard. Training options feature two core courses—Lifeguarding and Shallow Water Lifeguarding (available in a blended learning format)—plus optional add-on modules, including waterfront skills or waterpark skills modules. Successful completion results in a 2-year certification in Lifeguarding that includes first aid, professional-level CPR and AED in one certificate. Digital certificate available upon successful completion of course.

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Lifeguard Certification Course

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. This course will follow the American Red Cross Lifeguarding curriculum.

Certification received upon fulfilling course requirements (valid 2 years): Lifeguard, First Aid CPR for the Professional Rescuer.

Course Details

  • Length: 16 hours in-person
  • Price: $195, $155 (for current Mizzou students)

    • Pre-Requisites

  • You must be at least 15 years of age before the last scheduled class session
  • You must demonstrate the following skills:
  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
  • Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

    Swimming skills will be tested on the first day of class. Skills must be completed in order to continue. No exceptions and no refunds due to failure to complete prerequisites.

    • Requirements

    Participants must attend and participate in all subsequent sessions (*if applicable), class room work, and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must satisfactorily demonstrate all Lifeguard, First Aid, and CPR skills as well as pass the course written exam with at least a score of 80%.

    See Upcoming Courses

    Lifeguard Review (Recertification) Course

    The Lifeguard Review course is a way to renew your current certifications. Participants should come prepared to successfully demonstrate their practical skills and pass the written exams. Participants must pass the pre-course swim exam, written exam, and skills check.

    Certification received upon fulfilling course requirements (valid 2 years): Lifeguard, First Aid CPR for the Professional Rescuer.

    Course Details

  • Length: 6 hours
  • Price: $115, $85 (for current Mizzou students)

    • Pre-Requisites

  • Proof of current American Red Cross issued Lifeguarding certification.

    • Requirements

    Participants must attend and participate in all subsequent sessions including class room work and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must satisfactorily demonstrate all Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR skills and pass the course written exam with at least a score of 80%.

    See Upcoming Courses

    First-Aid/CPR/AED Course

    The First Aid/CPR/AED course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to respond to cardiac, breathing and first-aid emergencies to help victims of all ages.

    Certification received upon fulfilling course requirements (valid 2 years): Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED.

    Course Details

  • Length: 2-3 hours of eLearning and 2 hours In-Person
  • Price: $95, $75 (for current Mizzou students)

    • Requirements

    Participants must attend and participate in all subsequent sessions (*if applicable) including class room work and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must satisfactorily demonstrate all CPR skills, and pass the course written exam with at least a score of 80%.

    Fall 2024 Schedule

    No courses are scheduled at this time.

    Water Safety Instructor

    The purpose of the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim, Adult Swim courses, and water safety courses and presentations. The Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program teaches people of all ages and varying abilities to swim and be safe in, on and around water.

    Certification received upon fulfilling course requirements (valid 2 years): Water Safety Instructor

    Course Details

  • Length: 30 hours
  • Price: $255

    • Requirements

    Participants must attend and participate in all course sessions including class room work and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must satisfactorily demonstrate all First Aid skills, and pass the course written exam with at least a score of 80%.

    Fall 2024 Schedule

    No courses are scheduled at this time.

    CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers

    The CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies to help victims of all ages. This course is recommended for lifeguards, and other individuals required by place of employment to have a higher level of training. Successful participants will be able to do the following:

    Certification received upon fulfilling course requirements (valid 2 years): Water Safety Instructor

    Course Details

  • Length: 4 hours In-Person and 2 hours of eLearning
  • Price: $95, $75 (for current Mizzou Students)

    • Pre-Requisites

    This is a blended learning course meaning that there is both in-person and eLearning involved. You must have access to the internet in order to complete the eLearning section. If the eLearning section is not completed the student will receive an ‘Unsuccessful’ evaluation for the course and no refunds will be given.

    Requirements

    Participants must attend and participate in all course sessions including class room work and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must satisfactorily demonstrate all First Aid skills, and pass the course written exam with at least a score of 80%.

    Fall 2024 Schedule

    No courses are scheduled at this time.

    Refund Policy

    Cancellation requests for course withdrawals must be received by Mizzou Aquatic Center staff one week prior to the course date in order to obtain a full refund.

    See Full Refund Policy