Prerequisites:

You should be confident in your ability to successfully perform the prerequisite skills before signing up for the Lifeguarding course or the Waterfront Skills module.  There are NO REFUNDS for students who do not pass the prerequisites.

Students must be at least 15 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of this course.  Age will be verified during your first classroom session.  Please bring appropriate identification/proof of age, such as a driver’s license or a copy of your birth certificate.

Prerequisite skills will be given on the first day of the course and include the following components:

• Swim 300 yards continuously (or 550 yards for those also taking the Waterfront Module) while demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.  You may use the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.  You may use swim goggles.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs, with your hands placed in your armpits.
• Swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10-pound object at a depth of 7 to 10 feet, return to the starting point while keeping both hands on the object and your face at or near the surface of the water in order to breathe, and then exit the water without using a ladder.  This skill must be completed in less than 1 minute and 40 seconds.
• Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards.

What else do I need to know?

100% attendance and punctuality is mandatory for certification – there are NO exceptions.  It is expected that students will arrive on time and be prepared for all classroom sessions.

The lifeguarding courses and some modules require written and/or practical exams.  All written exams must be passed with a minimum grade of 80%.  Students requesting consideration for taking exams aurally should speak to the instructor at the beginning of the class.

What is the cancellation/refund policy?

The following charges for cancellations will apply:

            10.0% of total course fee – from 8 to 14 days before event starts

            25.0% of total course fee – from 3 to 7 days before event starts

            50.0% of total course fee – from 1 to 2 day(s) before event starts

            100.0% of total course fee – from 0 to 24 hours before event starts

            100.0% of total course fee – 1 day(s) after event starts

Who should I contact if I have more questions?

For questions regarding the class please contact the course instructor, Nikie Oechsle, at 225-281-3326 or ni_music@yahoo.com.  For all room/board questions, or to pay by credit card, contact the main office at Somerset Beach Campground at 517-688-3783.