Durham Parks and Recreation offers free lifeguard training courses for teens. Students who successfully complete the DAS courses will be actively recruited to apply for lifeguard jobs at DPR’s indoor and outdoor pools.
Weekender Course
March 16-18 & March 23-25 (Must attend both weekends)
Campus Hills Pool
Spring Break Course
April 2-6
Edison Johnson Aquatic Center
Space is limited, apply early. Interested participants must complete a Durham Aquatic School Application.
To qualify for Durham Aquatic School:
- Participants must be 16-19 years old and currently enrolled in high school.
- They must also be able to pass the prerequisite swim test (see Lifeguard Training Prerequisites)
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be certified as American Red Cross Lifeguards. The course also includes CPR/AED and First Aid training. The course fee includes a textbook and a pocket mask.
Lifeguard Training Prerequisites:
- Participants must be at least 15 years of age.
- They must be able to swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. This may be performed using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
- Participants must be able to tread water for two minutes using only the legs.
- Participants must be able to swim 20 yards, retrieve a ten-pound object from a depth of seven feet, return to the starting point, and exit the pool within one minute and 40 seconds. Both hands must be holding the object with the face at or near the surface.
