l live in Minnesota, Twin Cities, and l was wondering how difficult the program is? How long does this training take and is this training accepted out of state(California or Florida)?l am seventeen years old and l wanna get a job that will allow me to help people and at the same time be proud of what l do. l swim all the time in the summer months and l feel l am good at it. Do you have to be an amazing swimmer to be a lifeguard? You do not have to answer all of the questions and thanks in advance.

well l recently took the class, & it was a piece of cake. The only hard parts will be the AED test because its very technical, like v-tac & v-phb & stuff. The other hard part is the in the water training. Spinals r a pain & if u get paired up with a clutz u could end up in more trouble then u started in! As for the california & other states part, l believe it is accepted, but u may need to take additional classes/training in order to work at certain water fronts. EX. water park, lake beach etc. My class was about 4 weekends from 8 to 6 but it varys on where u learn. also life guarding is the best job for teens as u can get flexible hours & can make more then minimum wage! also if u go to college they all ways need gaurds!

When l took it (4 years ago) it was not hard. But l have been a swimmer my whole life, & l took the class with all swimmers (except 1). So, backboarding someone in the deep end was a piece of cake for us. But since u swim during the summer, u should not have a problem. The other girl who took the class with us & that was not a swimmer did fine. You have to swim a 500 (20 laps). l got certified in a weekend. Usually if u were to work out in CA or FL (like the shows Ocean Force, u have to have 20/20 vision, & u will have to apply & do a course of their own) they require different certification. Lifeguarding is a great job l think. l really enjoyed it, & l want to get recertified. Good luck if u decide to get certified.