Lifeguard Training

Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence will take place the first day of class and encompasses the following:

• Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating good breath control. (No back or side strokes, goggles allowed).
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs.
• Swim 50 more yards using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating good breath control (goggles allowed).

Those taking the course may practice the prerequisites at Eastside Community Center Pool. Click here to view Eastside’s Pool Schedule.

Timed Event will take place the first day of class and encompasses the following:

Must complete the following sequence in 1 minute, 40 seconds

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards (face may be in or out of the water, no goggles).
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth up to 12 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Those taking the course may practice the prerequisites at Eastside Community Center Pool. Click here to view Eastside’s Pool Schedule.

Once registered, your receipt will contain a blended learning student voucher link. This links grants access to required online modules.

• Please follow the link to access your online content.
• All online modules must be completed before attending in-person sessions.

The non-refundable fee for the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course at Parks Tacoma is $250 for City of Tacoma residents and $275 for non-residents.

Financial assistance is available. If cost is a potential barrier to participation, City of Tacoma residents may request financial aid for most scheduled fee-based classes, camps or programs. 

Participants must be at least 15 years old by the final day of the course to be eligible for enrollment. 

The swimming skills evaluation will occur the first day of class. Please check the prerequisites section for more detailed information about the swimming skills evaluation. 

Participants may practice the swimming prerequisites at the Eastside Community Center Pool, or any of our indoor pool locations. $5 drop-in fee for non-members, free for Center Pass Holders. The Center Pass is free for individuals ages 18 and under. 

Upon registration, you will receive an email with a blended learning student voucher, granting access to the required online modules. All online modules must be completed before attending the in-person sessions.  

If you don’t pass the swimming skills evaluation on the first attempt, you will not be able to continue with the course. Participants may retest on the same day after sufficient rest. 

The course fee is non-refundable, so ensuring you meet the prerequisites is important. It is strongly recommended that participants practice the required skills at the Eastside Community Center Pool or another facility before attending the course.  

Financial assistance is available. If cost is a potential barrier to participation, City of Tacoma residents may request financial aid for most scheduled fee-based classes, camps or programs. 

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is nationally recognized, meaning it can qualify you to work at many pools and aquatic facilities across the country. However, individual employers may have additional requirements, such as specific in-house training, background checks, or  Emergency Use of Medical Oxygen. 

Attendance at all in-person sessions is mandatory, as the American Red Cross requires a set number of hours for certification. 

If you miss a session, you will likely need to retake the entire course in the future. It is best to plan ahead and ensure you can attend all scheduled dates. 

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is valid for two years. 

To renew, you must take a lifeguard recertification course before your current certification expires. If your certification lapses, you may need to retake the full lifeguard course. 

No, the standard American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification covers pool lifeguarding only.

If you are interested in working at open-water locations like lakes, rivers, or beaches, you will need to complete additional training, such as Waterfront Lifeguarding or Open Water Lifeguarding. 

Completing the course does not guarantee employment at Parks Tacoma.

It is recommended that interested candidates check our current openings on GovernmentJobs.com to apply. 

For additional inquiries, you can reach out to Parks Tacoma Aquatics Staff via email at [email protected] or by phone at (253) 305-1000.