Hamilton Area YMCA

Certifications

Whether your interest is personal or professional, the Hamilton Area YMCA has a safety course to meet your needs! We offer both certification and non-certification courses through the YMCA, American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

For more information, contact certifications@hamiltonymca.org.

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Lifeguarding

This course provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. This program offers a choice of Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED courses to meet the various training needs of a diverse audience. To enter the course, participants must meet the minimum age requirements and pass a prerequisite swim test (details listed below).

Our courses give you more!

The Hamilton Area YMCA offers additional certifications within our lifeguarding courses to help develop a thorough understanding of all areas. You will notice the word “bundle": these courses have extra time included to cover additional topics (see each offering for details). You may opt-out of the additional course time by speaking with the instructor; however, the fee structure will not change.

Check back for upcoming offerings!

Certificate(s) issued:

  • Lifeguarding (up to 6 ft)/First Aid/CPR/AED (2 years)
  • Optional certificates (see offerings for details)

Prerequisites:

  • Minimum age: at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
  • Swim 300 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
  • Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
    • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, to a depth of 7 to 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Length:

  • Approximately 7 hours online.
  • Approximately 24 hours in-person.
  • Approximately 4 hours allotted for optional additional certifications.

Fees (non-refundable):

  • Deposit: $75 prerequisite online work deposit due at registration
  • Course Fee (including deposit): $250

To register:

•  A Hamilton Area YMCA membership is not required for participation in these programs.
•  Registration may be completed in-person or over the phone.
•  Courses must have a minimum of 6 participants to run.
•  Participants must attend all class dates listed.
•  Pre-work must be completed by date lited to participate.
•  Participants must show official proof of age to the instructor on the first day of the course.
•  Please visit the Certifications Page of our website to see the prerequisites for this course.

Shallow Water (5 - 7 ft.) to Lifeguarding Bridge

Please check back in the fall for offerings. 

Workplace First Aid/CPR/AED

The American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED program helps participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing, and first aid emergencies. The courses in this program teach the knowledge and skills needed to give immediate care to an injured or ill person and to decide whether advanced medical care is needed.

Blended Learning: You will notice the word "Blended". These courses are a combination of First Aid, CPR, and AED. Once registered, you will receive online pre-work to complete prior to the class. You must complete this work and bring the completion certificate to your class.

Prerequisites: None

Length:

  • Approximately 3 hours online.
  • Approximately 3 hours in-person.

Fees:

  • Course fee: $85
View Days & Times | Register

*Students must show a current class schedule and student ID upon registration. Acceptable majors include, but are not limited to: EMT, nursing, pre-med/M.D., physical therapy, radiology, occupational therapy, psychology, dentistry, optometry, etc.

 

To register:

• A Hamilton Area YMCA membership is not required for participation in these programs.

• Registration may be completed in-person or over the phone.

• Courses must have a minimum of 6 participants to run.

• Upon registration, the Member Services representative and/or the Certification Team will issue a deep web link to access the American Red Cross eLearning Center.