HAZLETON, Pa. — Penn State Hazleton will offer lifeguard certification and recertification clinics through the American Red Cross in March.
Both clinics will be held in the swimming pool in the Physical Education Building at Penn State Hazleton from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. Those seeking recertification are asked to bring proof of their previous American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification.
To enroll in either clinic, participants must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session and must successfully complete a swim test before classes begin. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The swim test will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 25. During the swim test, participants must complete the following prerequisites:
Prerequisite 1: Swim-tread-swim sequence:
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Swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both
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Swimming on the back or side is not permitted
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Swim goggles are allowed
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Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs
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Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both
Prerequisite 2: Timed event
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Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds
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Starting in the water, swim 20 yards
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The face may be in or out of the water
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Swim goggles are not allowed
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Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object
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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 at or near the surface
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Exit the water without using a ladder or steps
If a participant is unable to successfully complete the swim test, participants will receive a refund less a $25 administrative fee.
Participants are required to take part in all class sessions, including completing the American Red Cross blended learning portion of the course. Participants will be sent a link for this online course component after successfully completing the swim test.
Upon successful completion of the course, an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification, valid for two years, will be issued.
A 20% registration discount on the certification course is available to Penn State students, alumni and children of alumni. A 20% registration discount is also available for the recertification course to Penn State students, alumni, children of alumni and anyone who has already completed the certification clinic. To receive the discount code, contact Penn State Hazleton Director of Continuing Education Debra Conway at 570-450-3136 or dxk40@psu.edu.
For more information or to register, visit hazleton.psu.edu/lifeguard-certification or contact the Penn State Hazleton Continuing Education Office at 570-450-3110.