Lifeguard Course Swim Pretest

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

• Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed [the only time in the course])
• Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs
• Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both (You must know how to either a front crawl or a breaststroke with breathing. You cannot swim with your head out of the water. The Red Cross requires this. We won't be able to teach you how to swim during the course.)

WATCH A CLIP OF WHAT CORRECT LIFEGUARD STROKES LOOK LIKE.

Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed). • Submerge to a depth of 10 feet to 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 the face out at or near the surface.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.