Safety Education Courses

First Aid/CPR/AED Courses

The American Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid Course helps participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies. The courses in this program teach participants the knowledge and skills needed to give immediate care to an injured or ill person and to decide whether advanced medical care is needed. 

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Lifeguard Courses

The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguard Course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until Emergency Medical Services take over. 

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Water Safety Instructor Course

The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course trains candidates to teach courses and presentations in the Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program.

Candidates will develop an understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants’ progress. Successful candidates are eligible to teach Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim, three adult-focused courses as well as the Basic Water Rescue and Personal Water Safety courses. Participants must be at least 16 years of age and be proficient swimmers. 

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Prerequisites 

• At least 16 years old on the last day of the class 

• Possess a current certification in Water Safety Instructor Certification

• Successfully complete pre-course skills session by demonstrating the ability to perform the following swimming skills consistent with American Red Cross Learn-To-Swim Level 4 stroke performance criteria:

  • Front crawl – 25 yards

  • Back crawl – 25 yards

  • Breaststroke – 25 yards

  • Elementary backstroke – 25 yards

  • Sidestroke – 25 yards

  • Butterfly – 15 yards

  • Float on back for 1 minute in deep water

  • Tread water for 1 minute in deep water

Lifeguard Instructor 

The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Basic Lifeguarding Instructor Course is to train instructors to teach the basic-level American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses including CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, and First Aid. 

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Prerequisites 

• Be at least 17 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course

• Possess a current basic-level certification in Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED

• Successfully complete the online Introduction to the Lifeguarding Instructor Course prior to the pre-course skills session via online content completion status report 

• Obtain all instructor and participant materials before entering the first session of the instructor course. Materials consist of: 

  • American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor’s Manual (print) 

  • Lifeguarding course presentation 

  • American Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual (print or digital) 

First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor 

American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Course is designed to train instructors to teach the basic-level American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED courses. 

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Prerequisites 

• At least 16 years old on the last day of the class 

• Possess a current American Red Cross basic-level certification in First Aid and, Adult and Pediatric CPR and AED or equivalent certification. 

Waitlist Policy

When a class has filled, participants can join the waitlist for the class by contacting the Campus Recreation Aquatics staff by emailing aquatics@psu.edu. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee a position in the course. If a spot opens, you will be contacted by a member of Campus Recreation staff to register and pay for the course. 

Cancellation, Make-Up, and Refund Policy

Missed classes will not be made up or rescheduled. Participants must attend all class dates and pass all required exams in order to be eligible for the certification. If a University closure forces a CPR/AED/First Aid class to be canceled, participants will be eligible for either a full refund or a transfer into a future class date. If a University closure forces the cancellation of one day of a Lifeguarding course or Instructor level course, a make-up date will be scheduled. Participants may request a refund in advance up to 5 days prior to the start of the class.