The YMCA of Greater Nashua is hosting American Red Cross lifeguard courses in August.

YMCA Aquatic Director Meredith Allie Thomas said, “The Y has traditionally helped feed the pipeline of lifeguards for our YMCA by offering American Red Cross trainings to the community, and this has been a benefit to staffing pools across the country. Lifeguarding makes for a fantastic first job as well as retirement jobs. Communities are always looking for certified lifeguards and provides a foot in the door to many employment opportunities.”

This course is open to those age 15 and older.

The next course will run between Aug. 5-7 – all sessions must be attended.

The schedule is:

Friday, Aug. 5 – 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 6 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 7 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To register for the August course, contact Meredith Stensaas (Nashua YMCA) at mstensaas@nmymca.org or Allie Thomas (Merrimack YMCA) at athomas@nmymca.org with any questions.

Some information to consider prior to registering:

1. Prior to the class, participants must take a seven-hour online course.

2. There also is a pre-requisite skills evaluation which occurs on the first day of the course.

• The ability to swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You 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.

• The ability to tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. You should place your hands under armpits.

• And complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swimmer’s face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.

• 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 with both hands holding the object while keeping your face at or near the surface so you are able to get a breath. Swimmers should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an American Red Cross Certificate.

To register, visit https://operations.daxko.com/programs/redirector.aspx?cid=5286&pid=9491&sid=149136.

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