PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Gulf Coast State College is offering lifeguard training that is open to the community. The course will be held March 31 – April 9 at GCSC’s Panama City Campus pool and is limited to 10 students. To register for the course, you must possess the following prerequisite swim abilities:
- Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface, so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Class meets at the following dates and times:
- Friday, March 31, 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Saturday, April 1, 11:00am-5:00pm
- Sunday, April 2, 8:00am-5:00pm
- Saturday, April 8, 11:00am-5:00pm
- Sunday, April 9, 8:00am-5:00pm
The cost for the course is $150, and the book is available for free in a digital format. Red Cross certification will be issued following successful completion of the course. Bring swimsuit to the first class. Students must register in person in the Enrollment Services building, and be 15 years old on or before the last day of the class. For more information, please contact Carl Kleinschmidt at (850) 872.3832 or [email protected].