American Red Cross Offers Free Online 90 Day Extension to Lifeguard, CPR Certs

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 4

April 15th, 2020 News

The American Red Cross (ARC), one of the largest certifiers of lifeguards in the United States, has offered the opportunity to extend some of their certifications amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Specifically, they are offering a free online-only 90-day extension course for both their Lifeguarding and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer courses.

This course enables a certificate holder to extend any current American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding and/or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification by 90 days from the original certification expiration date.

The 90-day recertification extension will be available for any upcoming expirations or any certifications that have expired in the last 30 days. The extension courses will be available between March 17th and June 15th, 2020.

The ARC says that they do not recommend teaching courses at this time where social distancing guidelines are in place.

As many outdoor summer facilities, where the highest demand for lifeguards in the U.S. lies, are approaching their “go/no go” point for deciding whether to open this summer, the extension will remove one of the major preparatory hurdles, which is finding enough certified lifeguards to staff their pools if restrictions are lifted at some point during the summer season.

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JustAnotherSwimCoach
3 years ago

Okay I am confused, do I just need to email redcross to extend my lifeguard-CPR cert or do I need to take an online course? I read the Red Cross info and I am still lost? Someone help me?

BREASTSTROKERSKNEE
Reply to  JustAnotherSwimCoach
3 years ago

There’s a course that you need to “buy” on their site (it’s $0.00) and then when you go to take the course it’s just a terms agreement. After you agree to it you get your extension certificate.

jackie
Reply to  BREASTSTROKERSKNEE
3 years ago

yes. i did that last year. make sure you print it out i know it says you don’t have to. but do.

jackie
Reply to  JustAnotherSwimCoach
3 years ago

i’m lost too. i had my certificate and extended it 120 days last summer because of the pandemic. now my certificate is not valid but there has been no way to fulfill the recertification requirements due to the pandemic. Now what?
I’ve had my WSI in the last (20 years ago) and a few full courses of lifeguarding.
I have a small camp that i need the valid documentation for insurance purposes

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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