AVAILABLE COURSES

The U of I Swim Center offers courses, certifications and hands-on training opportunities for swimmers, lifeguards, coaches, instructors and aquatic professionals.

Our offerings include American Red Cross certification programs, training provided by U of I Swim Center staff and opportunities to develop real-world skills supporting aquatic programs and competitive events.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

Explore current courses, certifications and hands-on training opportunities.

LIFEGUARD TRAINING

American Red Cross

Prepare to become a professional lifeguard, renew an existing certification or take the next step toward becoming a lifeguard instructor.

All courses are free for current U of I Swim Center student employees.

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WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR

American Red Cross

Learn the skills needed to teach swimming, water safety and American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim programs.

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SAFETY TRAINING FOR
SWIM COACHES IN-WATER SKILLS

U of I Swim Center

Build the safety skills needed to help protect swimmers during practices, training and competition.

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Daktronics competition timing and scoreboard system

DAKTRONICS COMPETITION
OPERATIONS

U of I Swim Center

Gain real-world experience working with the Daktronics timing and scoreboard system used during competitive swim events.

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COURSE DETAILS

Select a course below to view dates, costs, prerequisites and registration information.

LIFEGUARD COURSE American Red Cross Certification

Lifeguard Course

American Red Cross Certification

Interested in a great summer job or a challenging career as a professional lifeguard? Through online learning, group discussion and hands-on practice, you will learn teamwork, rescue and surveillance skills, first aid, CPR and AED training along with other skills necessary to succeed as a professional lifeguard.

Successful completion results in a two-year American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification that includes First Aid and professional-level CPR/AED.

COURSE LENGTH 27 Hours

Online coursework and in-person skills training.

COST $250

Per participant

AGE REQUIREMENT 15+

Participants must be at least 15 years old.

MINIMUM CLASS SIZE 6

A minimum of six participants is required.

SPRING 2027 DATES

April 9
7-9 p.m.

April 10
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 11
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 12
7-9 p.m.

PREREQUISITE SKILLS TEST

The prerequisite skills evaluation takes place on the first day of class.

Complete a 200-yard swim.
Tread water for two minutes without using your hands.
Retrieve a 10-pound object from the deepest part of the pool.
Return to the surface and swim the object back to the starting point within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
Hold the object with both hands while keeping your face above water during the return swim.

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LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION/REVIEW COURSE American Red Cross Recertification

Lifeguard Recertification/Review Course

American Red Cross Recertification

The Lifeguard Review Course is designed for currently certified lifeguards who need to review core knowledge and skills or renew their certification for another two years.

Course content review is completed online before the in-person skills session at the U of I Swim Center.

COURSE LENGTH 10 Hours

COST $150

Per participant

CERTIFICATION Current

Current qualifying certification is required.

MINIMUM CLASS SIZE 6

A minimum of six participants is required.

SPRING 2027 DATES

April 9
7-9 p.m.

April 10
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 11
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 12
7-9 p.m.

TOPICS COVERED

Patron surveillance
Rescue skills
Victim assessment
CPR/AED
Care for head, neck and spinal injuries

CURRENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Participants must hold a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED or Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate.

If your certification has expired, you must complete the full Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding course.

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LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE American Red Cross Certification

Lifeguard Instructor Training Course

American Red Cross Certification

Take the next step from lifeguarding to instruction.

This course prepares instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross programs including Lifeguarding, Lifeguard Management, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Administering Emergency Oxygen, Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Basic Water Rescue.

COURSE LENGTH 25 Hours

COST $300

Per participant

AGE REQUIREMENT 17+

By the final day of class

MINIMUM CLASS SIZE 6

SPRING 2027 DATES

March 28
6-9 p.m.

March 29
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

March 30
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 2
6-9 p.m.

April 3
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 4
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

REQUIREMENTS & PREREQUISITES

Attend all scheduled class sessions.
Hold current American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR/AED certification.
Successfully complete the pre-course written exam with a score of at least 80% in each section.
Demonstrate competency during the pre-course skills and scenarios evaluation.

IMPORTANT

No exceptions or refunds are available for failure to complete the prerequisites.

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WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR COURSE American Red Cross Certification

Water Safety Instructor Course

American Red Cross Certification

Become an instructor who helps children and adults develop swimming skills, confidence and water safety knowledge.

The Water Safety Instructor Course develops aquatic teaching, organizational and presentation skills. Water Safety Instructor authorization is valid for two years.

COURSE LENGTH 30 Hours

COST $250

Free for U of I students who work for the Swim Center.

AGE REQUIREMENT 16+

By the first day of class

MINIMUM CLASS SIZE 6

COURSE DATES

Fall 2026
Wednesdays
Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28
5-9 p.m.

Spring 2027
Wednesdays
April 7, 14, 21 and 28
5-9 p.m.

WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTORS MAY TEACH

Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-6
Parent and Child Aquatics
Water Safety Outreach
Basic Water Rescue
Water Safety Today
General Water Safety
Home Pool Safety
Parent Orientation to Swimming Lessons
Swim Coaches Safety

SKILLS PRETEST

Participants must demonstrate swimming proficiency equivalent to Level 4 of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program.

25 yards of front crawl
25 yards of back crawl
25 yards of breaststroke
25 yards of elementary backstroke
25 yards of sidestroke
15 yards of butterfly
Maintain a position on your back for one minute in deep water
Tread water for one minute

Participants who already hold Basic Water Safety or Lifeguard Training certification must still complete the pretest.

ASK ABOUT WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR TRAINING →

SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES IN-WATER SKILLS USA Swimming/Red Cross Training

Safety Training for Swim Coaches In-Water Skills

USA Swimming/Red Cross Training

This course helps fulfill the Coaches Safety Education requirement for USA Swimming and Y-USA and provides a two-year certification.

Training focuses on safe sport policies, emergency planning, accident prevention, first aid and responding to ill or injured swimmers in the water or on land.

COURSE LENGTH Variable

COST $125

Per participant

AVAILABILITY By Request

AGE REQUIREMENT 15+

PREREQUISITE

Participants must be comfortable in chest-deep water.

WHICH TRAINING DO I NEED?

NEW COACHES OR EXPIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Combination of online coursework and in-water skills training.

CURRENT SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES

Three hours of online coursework plus a 50-minute in-water skills session.

CURRENT LIFEGUARDING/FIRST AID/CPR/AED

Three hours of online coursework. The currently published requirements do not require an additional in-water skills session.

CURRENT SHALLOW WATER LIFEGUARDING/FIRST AID/CPR/AED

Three hours of online coursework. The currently published requirements do not require an additional in-water skills session.

MINIMUM CLASS SIZE: SIX PARTICIPANTS

Contact the Swim Center to request this course or discuss your current certification requirements.

REQUEST THIS COURSE →

DAKTRONICS COMPETITION OPERATIONS U of I Swim Center Training

Daktronics Competition Operations

U of I Swim Center Training

Competitive swimming depends on more than what happens in the water.

Timing, scoring and event displays all play an important role in running a successful swim meet.

This hands-on training opportunity gives lifeguards the chance to learn the Swim Center's Daktronics competition system and gain practical experience supporting competitive aquatic events.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Daktronics competition operations
Timing and scoreboard functions
Event and heat information
Supporting swim meet operations
Working alongside Swim Center staff during competitive events

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

This is more than classroom instruction. Participants learn in the environment where the equipment is actually used, providing hands-on experience with competition technology during aquatic events.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

This training is only offered to current U of I Swim Center employees. The opportunity is designed for lifeguards interested in expanding their Swim Center skills and gaining experience with competitive event operations.

DATES & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Training opportunities are based on the Swim Center's competitive event schedule.

ASK ABOUT DAKTRONICS TRAINING →

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