SAVE LIVES WITH CONFIDENCE

YMCA of Silicon Valley proudly offers Lifeguard, and Basic Life Support classes. Learn how to perform CPR and administer First Aid to adults, children, and infants with confidence. This course will equip you with the skills you need to save lives, protect family and friends, and feel confident if an accident occurs.

Basic Life Support

The American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) course provides participants 15 years and up with the knowledge and skills they need to assess, recognize and care for patients who are experiencing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, airway obstruction or opioid overdose. When a patient experiences a life-threatening emergency, healthcare providers need to act swiftly and promptly. The course emphasizes providing high-quality care and integrating psychomotor skills with critical thinking and problem solving to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

Certification: Participants who successfully complete the BLS course will be issued a Basic Life Support certification that is valid for two years.
 

Lifeguarding 

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. This program offers a choice of Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED courses to meet the various training needs of a diverse audience. 

Course Prerequisites

 Candidates must:

1. Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
2. Swim 300 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
3. Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
4. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
   • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
   • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
   • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Certificate Issued and Validity Period: The American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED is valid for 2 years. 

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