HAZLETON, Pa. — Penn State Hazleton will offer lifeguard certification and recertification courses through the American Red Cross starting in April.
The lifeguard certification clinic will be held in the swimming pool in the Physical Education Building at Penn State Hazleton from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 7, and Friday, April 8, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9. The fee for the lifeguard certification course is $325.
For those who have a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification, a recertification course will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 8, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 9. The fee for the recertification course is $250.
Penn State students seeking certification or recertification are eligible for a 20% discount.
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. Those seeking recertification must provide their certification on or before the swim test.
The swim test will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 28. During the swim test, participants must complete the following:
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Swim 300 yards continuously without stopping or touching the bottom of pool, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing using both the front crawl and/or breaststroke or a combination of the two. Goggles are permitted. Swimming on your back or side is not allowed.
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Tread water for two minutes using only the legs. Participants will be asked to either place their hands under their armpits or out of the water.
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Without the use of goggles, complete the following timed activity within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
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Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using freestyle or breaststroke. The face may be in or out of the water.
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Submerge 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 to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object at the surface of the water.
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Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
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If a participant is unable to successfully complete the swim test, a refund less a $25 administrative fee will be issued.
Participants are required to take part in all class sessions, including completing the American Red Cross blended learning portion of the course by Thursday, April 7. Upon successful completion of the course, an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification, valid for two years, will be issued.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Courses will be taught by Karen Stylianides, assistant teaching professor of kinesiology at Penn State Hazleton.
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.
