MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMR, Calif. -- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar’s Marine Corps Community Services seeks individuals 15 years old or older to attend a lifeguard course offered at the station’s water survival training facility.
Courses start March 17, April 7 and May 5.
The week-long course could potentially jump-start a rewarding career in the medical field by becoming a certified American Red Cross lifeguard, according to Ashley Ortego, an instructor of the course here.
The course educates students on how to prevent, identify and respond to land and water emergencies, according to the ARC Web site.
“Those who complete the course will receive certification in lifeguarding, first aid and CPR for professional rescuers,” said Ortego. “The lifeguarding and first aid certification is good for three years and the CPR for professional rescuers is good for one year. The certifications can be taken to any pool that recognizes ARC certifications. However, the course does not certify beach lifeguards.”
Certification like this is also beneficial to have if the student lives with someone who isn’t certified or has children, according to Ortego.
“You can never tell when an emergency will occur around the house or if you’re out somewhere,” said Ortego. “Knowing first aid and CPR could be the difference between life and death.”
Students must complete a pre-screening before attending the course, explained Ortego.
Part of the screening consists of a non-stop 300-meter swim beginning with a 100-meter front crawl, or free-style, followed by a 100-meter breast stroke and the remaining 100 meters using either technique or a combination, explained Ortego.
The second part includes swimming 20 meters, submergeing seven to 10 feet, and picking up a 10 pound object and carrying it back to the starting point in less then one minute 40 seconds, added Ortego.
“This ensures the instructors that the students can swim with more than their own body weight,” said Ortego.
Throughout the course, students will be put through common situations associated with emergencies including CPR and first aid scenarios, a simulated drowning victim calling for help, an unconscious victim in the pool, and a simulated spinal injury, explained Ortego.
In addition to the scenarios, students must pass three written exams with a score of at least 80 percent.
“It’s important for students to not miss a day of class,” said Ortega. “The course is 34 hours and missing one day could result in someone not getting important information and failing the course.”
The course is $120 for anyone who’s associated with the Department of Defense including family members and retirees, and $130 for anyone else.
For more information call 858-577-4137, or visitwww.redcross.org.