This course is a blended learning course that includes both at-home online coursework and in-person skills portions. The instructor-led classroom skill sessions will  be 8-10 hours on both Saturday and Sunday, which includes all in-water skills, CPR for the Professional, and First-aid. Most learners complete the online portion in approximately 9 hours.

Courses are available for anyone over age 15 and certification is valid for 2 years.

Participants should be able to meet the following physical requirements:

• Swim 300 yards continuously. Candidates may swim front crawl or breaststroke or a combination of both. Swim goggles may be used.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only legs.
• Complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds.
  • Starting in the water swim 20 yards (no goggles)
  • Surface dive, feet first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object.
  • Exit the water without using the stairs or a ladder.