American Red Cross Lifeguarding Programs Teach the Latest in Lifesaving Techniques
News Release: May 22, 2001
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
As the weather begins to heat up, so does the demand for American Red Cross lifeguard training. This year, more than 400 Lehigh Valley residents will take a Red Cross lifeguard training or enhancement training course for lifeguards.
"Being a Red Cross-trained lifeguard is a great way to save lives," said Steve Vetrano, senior director-Programs and General Services at the Lehigh Valley Chapter, American Red Cross. "Young people can gain valuable work skills and life experience and work as lifeguards through high school and college. For retired adults or those looking for a meaningful way to spend their free time, lifeguarding presents a great opportunity to remain active and physically fit."
The American Red Cross is the leading lifeguard training organization in the country, training approximately 190,000 lifeguards annually over the last few years, added Vetrano.
The Red Cross released a newly revised Lifeguarding Program that reflects the latest lifesaving techniques in a format to fit busy schedules. It includes intense, hands-on skill practice designed to strengthen decision-making and response skills and provides the opportunity for training in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Recertification training and career enhancement courses such as waterfront training and oxygen administration also are available for currently certified lifeguards.
Individuals wanting to become lifeguards must be at least 15 years old upon completion of lifeguard training and must successfully complete a skills pre-test. To prepare individuals ages 11 to 14 to take lifeguard training for future work as lifeguards, the Red Cross offers GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow.
For a list of current Red Cross Lifeguard Training classes, click here. To register or for more information about other Red Cross aquatics classes, call (610) 865-4400, ext. 247, or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. All Red Cross disaster assistance is an outright grant. It is made possible through the generous voluntary contributions by the American people of time, materials and money.
The Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 620,000 residents in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 15,500 Lehigh Valley residents.
