Spindlebeak's Safety School offers classes for certification in CPR, First Aid and Lifeguarding.
We aim to provide Chesapeake, and the surrounding areas, with higher safety professionals. Backed by the American Red Cross, our aquatics leaders are fully trained and waiting to help you learn the skills necessary to save a life.
These courses can be taught at any facility that has a 25 meter/yard pool.
The American Red Cross Lifeguarding program has three core courses:
- Lifeguarding
- Shallow Water Lifeguarding
- Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding
In the Lifeguarding course, you will learn the following:
- Water Rescue Skills
- Surveillance and Recognition
- First Aid
- Breathing and Cardiac Emergencies
- CPR
- AED and more
Requirements in order to enter the class:
*this will be conducted on the first day of class
- All participants must turn 15 years old on or before the last scheduled day of class.
- Prerequisite swim tests will be held at the beginning of the first day of the course. Students who are unable to pass these tests will not be able to continue in the course.
- Swim 300 yards continuously to demonstrate physical ability, which includes breath control, stamina and strength required to preform saves. Students are permitted to swim using front crawl, breaststroke, or a mixture of both. Candidates may not swim on their back or side for this event and use of swim goggles is allowed.
- Using only their legs, student must be able to tread water for 2 minutes. Candidates will be asked to place their hands under their armpits for this exercise.
- A timed event performed within 1 minute, 40 seconds
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards with your face out of the water. Goggles not allowed.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth greater than 7 feet to retrieve a 10-pound dive brick
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to the starting point with both hands holding the brick, keeping your face at or near the surface so you able to get a breath.
- You should not swim the distant under water. Candidates must exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
- You must have your own resuscitation mask. You may purchase your mask here, here or here
- The Lifeguarding Manual will be rented out to you during the course of the class. If you do not return the book, a $40.00 fee will be required prior to receiving your certificate. You may purchase your own book here
In order to complete the course and receive a certification, participants must:
- Attend and participate in all class sessions
- Participate in all course activities
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills without any coaching or assistance
- Successfully complete the written exam
- Successfully complete the final skills scenarios
Payment/Policies
Why do I have to pay at registration time?
Payment is required to reserve a spot on the course roster. Spindlebeak Safety School courses are very popular and often sell out several weeks in advance.
What happens if I need to switch to another class or cancel my registration?
Spindlebeak will be happy to get you in a course that fits your schedule. Changes made more than 10 days prior to the start of the course will not be subject to any fees.
If you need to change courses within 10 calendar days of the start of the original class, there will be a $25 change fee.
If the lifeguarding class that fits into my schedule is full. Can you squeeze me in?
All classes have a wait list in the event that someone should cancel or change their class. Occasionally, Spindlebeak can assign an additional instructor to a course and open up the wait list if there are enough to fill another class.
What is the registration deadline for classes?
You may register for a class up to 60 minutes prior to that start of the course. Classes fill up quickly so we encourage you to sign up early.
Will I receive a refund if I do not pass the course and gain my certification?
Spindlebeak does not offer refunds to students who do not meet the testing requirements to gain certification.
Payment is required to reserve a spot on the course roster. Spindlebeak Safety School courses are very popular and often sell out several weeks in advance.
What happens if I need to switch to another class or cancel my registration?
Spindlebeak will be happy to get you in a course that fits your schedule. Changes made more than 10 days prior to the start of the course will not be subject to any fees.
If you need to change courses within 10 calendar days of the start of the original class, there will be a $25 change fee.
If the lifeguarding class that fits into my schedule is full. Can you squeeze me in?
All classes have a wait list in the event that someone should cancel or change their class. Occasionally, Spindlebeak can assign an additional instructor to a course and open up the wait list if there are enough to fill another class.
What is the registration deadline for classes?
You may register for a class up to 60 minutes prior to that start of the course. Classes fill up quickly so we encourage you to sign up early.
Will I receive a refund if I do not pass the course and gain my certification?
Spindlebeak does not offer refunds to students who do not meet the testing requirements to gain certification.