American Red Cross Certification Courses

Lifeguard Training

The YWCA of Minneapolis offers American Red Cross Lifeguard Training courses, including review and challenge courses. These courses are for individuals over the age of 15 who are interested in becoming a professional lifeguard.

The purpose of this class is to teach participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injury.

Lifeguarding will help you develop leadership skills and experience. You will have the opportunity to work in exciting settings such as fitness centers, summer camps, waterparks, and more! Lifeguarding is also a great way to get noticed by colleges and future employers who look for applicants with excellent people skills and can-do attitudes. In addition to valuable lifesaving skills, you will build self-confidence and teamwork. Many lifeguards move on to careers in aquatics, fitness and healthcare.

All participants must complete the pre-course swim test, which includes a 300-yard continuous swim and simulated water rescue requiring a surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet. The purpose of the pre-course test is to ensure that the participant demonstrates comfort in the water, along with enough speed, strength and endurance to perform a combination of basic skills that are required and built upon throughout the course.

Private lessons for lifeguard preparation are available at all three YWCA locations.

For more information or to register, please call Dan Edmondson at 612-215-4154 or stop by the Downtown or Midtown front desk. Seventy-five percent the course fee will be reimbursed to participants who do not pass the pre-course swim test or to those who cancel after the registration deadline. No portion of the fee will be reimbursed to participants who do not successfully complete the course.

Full Course
Cost $185

This 32-hour course provides the essential training necessary to work as a professional lifeguard. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive certifications in Lifeguard Training, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid. Participants must attend all portions of the course to be eligible for certification.

Review Course
21 hours
Cost $125

This 12-hour review class is for participants who hold current certifications in Lifeguard Training and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.

Lifeguard & CPR Challenge Course
5 hours
Cost $80

Challenges are offered once per month on the following dates. Any previously trained lifeguard may participate in a challenge course to renew their certification. Challenge courses do not include any instruction or review.

CPR and First Aid Courses

All three YWCA locations offer American Red Cross Health & Safety courses including Adult CPR, Standard First Aid, and AED Essentials. Courses run throughout the year for all areas. American Red Cross Preparedness programs are available for any age and can be tailored to the needs of specific groups and individuals. If you or your business are in need of any safety training, contact us to find out when the next class is offered. We can also accommodate special classes tailored to your needs and location.

Contact Information
To register for a CPR or First Aid course, contact the hospitality desk of the YWCA location hosting the class. For questions or more information, please contact Dan Edmonson at 612-215-4154.

Adult CPR/AED
Full Class Cost $45
Review Class Cost $30
4.5 hours

Full Class: This class teaches you to safely perform rescue breathing, abdominal/chest thrusts (for choking victims) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Learning to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED) is an optional component. American Red Cross certification for this class is one year.

Review Class: Adult CPR/AED Review courses are designed for individuals who need to re-new their certification. This is an abridged course designed to re-fresh participants in lifesaving skills.

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
Full Course: Cost $75, 8 hours
Review: Cost $55, 5 hours

Note: Current American Red Cross certification or the first of the two-year American Heart Association certification is required to be eligible for a review class.

You will learn all of the skills of the basic Adult (ages 8 and up) CPR class, plus Child (ages 1 to 8) and Infant (ages 0 to 1) CPR skills.

Additionally, you will learn two-rescuer CPR (for all age groups), how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED), how to use a breathing barrier and a bag-valve-mask (BVM), as well as legal considerations about giving care. American Red Cross certification for this class is one year.

Review Class: Review courses are designed for individuals who need to renew their Professional Rescuer Certification. This is an abridged course designed to strengthen lifesaving skills though practice and instruction.

First Aid Basics
Cost $45, 4 hours

In this course, you will learn the basics to care for: a person suffering from a stroke, seizure, poisoning, diabetic reaction or allergic reaction; wounds involving bleeding or burns; and heat- and cold-related conditions. You will practice bandaging and applying a sling, and learn to care for head, neck and back injuries. American Red Cross certification for this class is three years.