TO BECOME CERTIFIED AS A LIFEGUARD, you must be 16 years old and hold current certification in the following courses: 

1. Lifeguard/First Aid Training (certification is good for three years)
2. CPR for the Professional Rescuer (certification is good for one year only)
3. Louisville Metro Health Department Guard Course (certification expires every Oct. 1)

*15 year olds may become certified as American Red Cross lifeguards, but must work as a lifeguard aide at a Metro Parks pool until they turn 16.

Click here for more information on lifeguard employment opportunities at four outdoor pools operated by Metro Parks during summer months, as well as the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, which is open year-round. The classes necessary to become a certified lifeguard are described below.

 
Lifeguard Training/First Aid Classes
These classes include CPR for the Professional Rescuer and the Louisville Metro Heath Department Guard Course. If you attend one of these sessions, you won’t need any other classes.

1. Swim 300 yards continuously – 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and 100 choice of freestyle or breaststroke.
2. Swim 20 yards and surface dive 10 feet retrieving a 10-pound brick. Once swimmer has retrieved brick then the swimmer must swim 20 yards on their back while holding both hands on the brick to the original starting point. The swimmer must exit the water with out using a ladder or steps. This prerequisite must be completed in 1 min and 40 second.

Additional classes may be offered based on demand. Metro Parks reserves the right to combine classes in May if class size requirements are not met. Participants must be able to attend all scheduled classes; no make-up dates are available.

CPR for the Professional Rescuer Training
This class is for those who are currently certified in Lifeguard/First Aid.

Louisville Metro Health Department Class
Unless you are registered for a Metro Parks Lifeguard Class, you must register with the Board of Health @ 574-6650.