American Red Cross Lifeguarding Prerequisite

STEP 1: Register for Class
STEP 2: Book Pre-Course Evaluation
STEP 3: Complete Online Coursework
STEP 4: Attend In-Person Class

Course Overview

The Pre-Course Swim Evaluation is a required 1.5-hour in-person prerequisite for students registered in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding and recertification course with SoCal Safety Institute.

This required lifeguard swim test helps confirm that each student meets the American Red Cross swimming skills, age eligibility, online learning, and readiness requirements before attending the full in-person Lifeguarding class.

SoCal Safety Institute offers Pre-Course Swim Evaluations for students in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and surrounding Southern California communities.

Course Length

• Pre-Course Swim Evaluation:1.5 hours

• Must be completed within 30 days before the full Lifeguarding class

• Required before attending the full 19.5-hour in-person Lifeguarding course

Important Requirement

Students must complete the American Red Cross online course work before attending the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation. Students must also pass the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation before attending the full in-person Lifeguarding class.

What We Check

During the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation, SoCal Safety Institute will:

• Conduct the required American Red Cross lifeguard swim evaluation

• Verify age eligibility

• Check photo ID or school ID

• Verify completion of the online learning portion

• Confirm the student is ready for the full Lifeguarding course

Swim Evaluation Requirements

Students must successfully complete:

• 150-yard swim

• 2 minutes of treading water using legs only

• Additional 50-yard swim

• Timed deep-water object retrieval test

  • Retrieve a 10-pound object from approximately 7 feet deep

  • Complete within 1 minute and 40 seconds

Who Should Book This Evaluation

This evaluation is for students who have already registered for an upcoming American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification course and need to complete their required pre-course swim test.

Students should book this evaluation only after they have:

• Registered for the full Lifeguarding course

• Received the American Red Cross online learning link

• Completed the required online course work

• Confirmed they are within 30 days of their full class start date

Cost

Pre-Course Swim Evaluation Fee: $50

BEFORE YOU REGISTER

Before attending the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation, students must bring:

• Proof of completed American Red Cross online course work

• Valid photo ID or school ID

• Swimwear

• Towel

• Goggles, if desired, for swim portions only

Students who do not bring proof of online course completion may not be eligible to complete the evaluation.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Passing the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation is required before attending the full 19.5-hour in-person American Red Cross Lifeguarding class.

Students who do not pass the Pre-Course Swim Evaluation will not be allowed to attend the full Lifeguarding class.

Students who do not pass are not eligible for a refund, but may return for one additional swim evaluation attempt at another available evaluation session for no additional evaluation fee.

If the student does not pass after the second attempt, they must register and pay for a new Pre-Course Swim Evaluation when they are ready to try again.

Refund & Transfer Policy

• All Pre-Course Swim Evaluation registrations are non-refundable once booked.

• By registering, students and/or parents/guardians acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to this policy.

• Students may request a one-time transfer to another available evaluation date with at least 48 hours’ notice before the scheduled evaluation.

• A $50 transfer fee applies to approved transfers.

• Students who no-show, arrive without required online course completion, do not pass the swim evaluation, or do not meet eligibility requirements are not eligible for a refund.

• Students who do not request a transfer at least 48 hours before the scheduled evaluation will forfeit their registration.

• There are no exceptions to this policy, including illness, injury, medical reasons, scheduling conflicts, transportation issues, or personal emergencies.

Learning Accommodations

SoCal Safety Institute follows American Red Cross course standards and supports reasonable learning accommodations when possible.

Participants who need a learning accommodation should contact SoCal Safety Institute before registering or as early as possible before class so we can review the request.

Accommodations may support access to learning, but all participants must still successfully complete the required American Red Cross water skills, course skills, written exams, and final evaluations to be eligible for certification.

To request a learning accommodation, contact:
info@socalsafetyinstitute.com