March and AprilOpen
Lifeguard course, spring
Two weekends
Pool skills in the morning, first aid and CPR in the afternoon, and a skills check on the last day.
- Ages 15 and up
- Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., two weekends
- County aquatic center
Lifeguard training in Derby, Kansas
Lifeguard and CPR courses at the county aquatic center
Tower teaches lifeguard, first aid and CPR courses for teens 15 and up, college students, and camp and pool staff. Take the swim test, take the course, and come back when it is time to recertify.
By season
The next courses
Courses run in every season. Pick the one that fits your school year or your pool's opening day.
Through the year
- Late May and early JuneWaitlist
Lifeguard course, early summer
One week of weekdays
For students and staff who need to be ready when the pools open for the summer.
- Ages 15 and up
- Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., one week
- County aquatic center
- April to JulyOpen
Recertification
A review class
A day of rescue skills, CPR and a short written test for guards whose card is due.
- Current guards
- One Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- County aquatic center
Sample sessions.
Dates and hours change with the season; the enrollment page has the latest.
Before you register
What a course asks of you
The swim test is described when you register, and the instructor goes through it with you.
Age
You are 15 or older on the first day of the course.
A swim test
A continuous swim, treading water and a deep-end retrieval, described when you register.
Every session
A course asks you to be there for all of it, in the water and in the classroom.
A short part at home
A little reading and a few short videos to finish before the first day, on any device.
Four steps
From the swim test to recertification
Start with the swim test, take the course, and return to recertify when your card is due.
- 01
The swim test
Ages 15 and upSkillsA continuous swim at a steady pace
Treading water with the hands out
Bringing an object up from the deep end to the wall
Moving upWhen the swim test is done, the instructor opens a place in the next course. A student who needs more practice is welcome to come back to a test day.
- 02
The lifeguard course
Ages 15 and upSkillsScanning the water and spotting a swimmer in trouble
Rescue entries, carries and getting a swimmer out of the pool
Using a rescue tube and a backboard
Working as a team on a rescue and writing the report
Moving upThe course ends with a skills check in the water and a written test. The instructor tells you where you stand the same day.
- 03
First aid and CPR
Ages 15 and upSkillsCPR for adults, children and infants on a manikin
Using an AED
Choking, bleeding and when to call for help
Handing a patient over to the people who arrive
Moving upIt is taught inside the lifeguard course and on its own in an evening class, for camp counselors, coaches and anyone who needs it for work.
- 04
Recertification
Current guardsSkillsA review of rescue skills in the water
CPR and first aid, refreshed
A short written test
What has changed since your last course
Moving upCome back before your card runs out. There is no level after this one: you recertify again when the time comes.
Where to startRegister for a course
Sample levels.
Course dates and hours change with the season; the enrollment page has the latest.
Who is in the water, and who is on the deck
An instructor is in the water for every in-water skill.
Adults to children
1 adult to 6 children
Swim test, ages 15 and up
1 adult to 6 children
Lifeguard course, ages 15 and up
1 adult to 8 children
First aid and CPR, ages 15 and up
1 adult to 6 children
Recertification, ages 15 and up
Staff checks and training
- CPR and first aid
- Lifeguard training
Safety routines
Before you get in
Students sign in at the door and rinse before the pool. The instructor goes over the deck rules and the signals before anyone gets in.
Rescue practice
An instructor watches every rescue drill from the deck or in the water. Students take turns as the swimmer in trouble, and anyone can say stop.
Manikins and gear
Manikins, masks and rescue gear are cleaned between students, and nobody shares a breathing mask.
Unwell or closed
If you are unwell, tell us and we move you to the next course. When the pool closes for weather or repairs, we text everyone and make the session up.
Sample details.
In the pool and in the classroom
A course is mostly practice
Students spend the morning in the water on entries, carries and rescue skills, and the afternoon on the deck with manikins and AED trainers. Instructors count out loud, show it once and watch you do it.
Skills practiced in pairs and in teams of four
Feedback on the spot, in plain words
Staff courses booked for a whole camp or pool crew
How to enroll
- 01
Step 1: Get in touch
Call or text us, or send the form. We reply the way you prefer and point you to the next course with room.
- 02
Step 2: Take the swim test
Book a time at the pool. An instructor walks you through the test, and you leave with a place in a course.
- 03
Step 3: Register
Choose your course on our enrollment page, then finish the short part at home before the first day.
- 04
Step 4: The first day
Bring a swimsuit, a towel and lunch. We start on the deck with sign-in, the deck rules and the plan for the day.
Register for a course
Choose a course on our enrollment page. If you are not sure which one, call and we will talk through the path with you.
Phone(316) 555-0105
Hours
- Monday to ThursdayToday
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- FridayToday
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- SaturdayToday
- Courses by schedule
- SundayToday
- Closed