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Certifications + Training

Spring 2025 dates TBA

BLS Certification Course

Basic Life Saving (BLS) Certification

Campus Recreation is pleased to offer a series of FREE American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification classes throughout the year, thanks to a grant provided by BlueCross BlueShield of TN Foundation. 

The goal of the Basic Life Support Course is to train participants to save lives of victims in cardiac arrest through high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The American Heart Association designed the BLS course to teach healthcare professionals how to perform high-quality CPR individually or as part of a team. BLS skills are applicable to any healthcare setting. BLS students will learn rescue techniques for adults, children and infants.

This course will include a combination of videos, skills practice and testing. A written test will be administered at the end of the course. The BLS for Healthcare Providers covers core materials, including:

  • adult, child, and infant CPR, including one and two-rescuer scenarios and use of the bag-valve mask and other breathing barriers.
  • foreign-body airway obstruction (Heimlich maneuver) for adult, child, and infant (conscious and unconscious).
  • AED (Automated external defibrillation) on both adult and child.
  • special resuscitation situations and cardiopulmonary emergencies.

Limited spaces are available. Once you register for this class, you MUST attend. Participants who register for a class and fail to show up, arrive late or leave before the class ends will not be able to register for future courses.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification

Lifeguards at pool

COST: $250

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification program provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies as well as providing professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS professionals take over.

This course is taught in the style of blended learning -- online components along with traditional classroom instruction. Approximately seven hours of online work must be completed before the first day of each class.

Prerequisite skills MUST be completed one week prior to the first day of class. The cost of the class is required up front before the prerequisite skills test will be given. Refunds are NOT given for those who do not meet requirements. You must be at least 15 years old on the first day of class to be eligible for certification.

To qualify for the training, you must be able to do the following:

Prerequisite Skills

Prerequisite 1: Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence - participants must complete sequence without stopping to rest:

  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards sing front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)
  • 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

Prerequisite 2: Timed event - participants must perform the following skills within one 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.
  • Surface dive, feet first or head first, to a depth 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10 pound object.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to the return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so you are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Lifeguarding Instructor Certification

COST: $325

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor course trains instructor candidates to teach the basic-level courses in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program. This course is delivered in a blended learning format, consisting of an online session and in-person sessions.

The online session for the instructor course takes approximately 2 hours to complete (this must be completed before the first day of the in-person sessions. The instruction time for the in-person sessions is about 16 hours (not including breaks, lunch or transition times.

Prerequisites

  • Be at least 17 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course.
  • Possess a current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. (Note: r.17 Lifeguarding certification accepted)
  • Obtain instructor and participant course materials before starting the course. An email will be sent about ordering your course material.
  • Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course prior to the precourse session.
  • Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario to continue in the course. The prerequisite skill assessment scenario evaluates the following skills:
    • Entry
    • Swimming approach
    • Surface dive in deep water (7 to 10 feet)
    • Passive submerged rescue
    • Rapid extrication (with an assisting rescuer)
    • Rapid assessment
    • Single-rescuer CPR (3 minutes)

Lifeguard at Wellness Center

Lifeguard Endurance Training

Interested in becoming a lifeguard but not sure if you can pass the prerequisites for the lifeguard course? Two weeks before each class, we will offer lifeguard endurance training. This class is open to anyone who wants to become a lifeguard and work for Campus Recreation. Build endurance through swimming drills, get tips to improve swim strokes and practice different treading kicks to see what works best for you.

Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification

COST: $325

The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course trains instructor candidates to teach courses and presentations in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program by developing your understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants’ progress. 

This course is taught in the style of blended learning--online components along with traditional classroom instruction. Approximately seven hours of online work must be completed before the first day of each class. Online modules will be available once the prerequisite skill evaluation has been completed.

*Prerequisite skills MUST be completed one week prior to the first day of class. The cost of the class is required up front before the prerequisite skills test will be given. Refunds are NOT given for those who do not meet requirements. You must be at least 15 years old on the first day of class to be eligible for certification.

Prerequisite Skills

You must demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills:

  • Swim the following strokes consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts, Level 4 
    • Front Crawl, 25 yards 
    • Back Crawl, 25 yards 
    • Breaststroke, 25 yards
    • Elementary Backstroke, 25 yards 
    • Sidestroke, 25 yards 
    • Butterfly, 15 yards 
    • Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling) 
    • Tread water for 1 minute