Lifeguard Course
A page within Rec Sports
Rec Sports Lifeguards
Lifeguard Course
Our American Red Cross Lifeguarding course provides participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies in both shallow water (less than 7 feet) and deeper water (7 feet or more) and provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses. Upon completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate for Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid valid for 2 years.
PREREQUISITES
- Participants must be at least 15 years of age
- Complete the following swim tests
- Swim-tread-swim sequence
- 150 yard surface swim (using front crawl, breaststroke, or combination of both)
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
- 50 yard swim (using front crawl, breaststroke, or combination of both)
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds
- Swim 20 yards and then surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 12 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, 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 hand exit the water without using a ladder or steps
- Swim-tread-swim sequence
FALL 2025 COURSES
| Certification | Date(s) | Times | Course Format | Registration Deadline |
| Lifeguard Certification | December 5-7 | Dec. 5: 5pm-9pm Dec. 6: 8am-6pm Dec. 7: 10am-7pm |
Blended (Online & In-person) | Friday, November 28 @ 11:59pm |
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register by clicking here. A minimum of 5 participants is required by the registration deadline to host all classes.
If the registration deadline has passed for the online & classroom courses, email recoffice@uwlax.edu to see if there is space. See below for the online prerequisite.
COURSE FORMAT
All courses are in a blended learning format, which include an online portion, classroom sessions, and in-water skill sessions. The online portion must be completed prior to attending the classroom and water skills portion and must be taken on a PC or tablet with a high-speed Internet connection. Once registered, materials for the online portion will be sent via email from recoffice@uwlax.edu within 1-3 business days. Allow up to approximately 6 hours total to complete the online portion. Both the classroom and in-water skills sessions are held in Mitchell Hall; maximum class capacity is 10 participants.
FEES
Certification
Students/REC Members: $225
UWL Faculty/Staff: $250
Non-UWL: $275
Re-Certification
(Must have a current lifeguard certification or certification expired by no more than 30 days)
Students/REC Members: $90
UWL Faculty/Staff: $100
Non-UWL: $110
Recreational Eagle Center (REC) Hours
Adjusted Hours (December 15-January 2)
Monday, December 15: 6am-10pm
Tuesday, December 16: 6am-10pm
Wednesday, December 17: 6am-6pm
December 18-January 2: Closed
Winter Term Hours January 3-23
Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm
Saturday: 12pm-6pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Facility Schedule
View the facility schedule to see what is going on at the REC.
Contact Us
608.785.5225
recoffice@uwlax.edu
Outdoor Connection (OC) Hours
Adjusted Hours (December 15-January 2)
Monday, December 15: 12pm-6pm
Tuesday, December 16: 12pm-6pm
Wednesday, December 17: 12pm-6pm
Thursday, December 18 -January 2: CLOSED
Winter Term Hours January 3-23
Monday-Friday: 12pm-6pm
Saturday: 12pm-6pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Contact Us
608.785.8860
outdoorcnt@uwlax.edu
Fitness Center Hours
Adjusted Hours (December 15-January 2)
Monday, December 15: 6am-10pm
Tuesday, December 16: 6am-10pm
Wednesday, December 17: 6am-6pm
December 18-January 2: Closed
Winter Term Hours January 3-23
Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm
Saturday: 12pm-6pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Contact Us
608.785.5210
recoffice@uwlax.edu
Climbing Gym Hours
Adjusted Hours (December 15-January 2)
Monday, December 15: 4pm-9pm
Tuesday, December 16: 11:30am-1pm, 4pm-9pm
December 17-January 25: Closed
Contact Us
608.785.5225
recoffice@uwlax.edu
EZONE Esports & Gaming Hours
Adjusted Hours (December 15-January 2)
Monday, December 15: 3pm-10pm
Tuesday, December 16: 3pm-10pm
December 17-January 23: Closed
Contact Us
608.785.8921
recsportsesports@uwlax.edu
Mitchell Hall Pool Hours
The pool will be closed for open swim the following days due to varsity swim meets:
January 31
February 7
Adjusted Hours (December 15-January 2)
Monday, December 15: 12pm-12:50pm, 8pm-10pm
December 16-January 25: Closed
Contact Us
608.785.8698
recoffice@uwlax.edu
Hetzel Fieldhouse Hours
Access to the Hetzel Fieldhouse during open rec hours is restricted to those who have a current REC membership (student, faculty/staff, alumni).
December 11-January 24: Closed
Second Floor Track Hours
Monday-Friday: 11am-1pm
Managed by the Athletic Department. Each fall semester, January term, and spring semester when classes are in session.
Contact Us
608.785.5225
recoffice@uwlax.edu