Prerequisite Swimming Skills Evaluation: Lifeguarding
Sequence and Timed Event
You must complete the following sequence:
- Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to
the surface and swim 150 yards.
- After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the
water without support for 2 minutes by treading.
- After maintaining position at the surface of the water for 2
minutes, swim 50 more yards.
- While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in
the water and demonstrating good breath control.
- You may use the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.
- Swim goggles are allowed.
While treading, you can only use your legs.
- Place your hands under your armpits.
- Your head must remain above the surface of the water.
Prerequisite Swimming Skills Evaluation: Continued
Goggles are not allowed for the timed event.
- You have 1 minute, and 40 seconds to complete the following sequence.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of
the water.
- 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 your back to return
to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both
hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming
the distance underwater is not permitted.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.
Candidates will receive one opportunity to complete the Prerequisite Swimming Skills Evaluation.