CPR & Safety Education
As part of our commitment to social responsibility, YMCA offers a variety of American Red Cross safety education courses, including CPR/AED and First Aid, Lifeguarding, Babysitting Trainings, and more!
All YMCA Safety Education courses are taught by certified American Red Cross instructors. Many of these classes come with an American Red Cross certification, as well as hands on practice and training to prepare you to handle a variety of situations skillfully and professionally. Attendance at all class times listed is mandatory.
Learn more about each of our available courses below.
+ CPR/AED & First Aid – Blended Learning
CPR/AED & First Aid – Blended Learning
Ages 15 + | Fercho YMCA | Fergus Falls YMCA
Prepare for the unexpected and gain the knowledge and skills needed for effective leadership in the event of an emergency! This course will prepare you to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving infants, children, and adults. Topics include how to recognize and manage an emergency situation, basic first aid, standard emergency care procedures and administration, CPR, AED, and more.
After completion of this class, you will be certified for two years in Red Cross CPR, AED, and First Aid for adults, children, and infants. Classes are OSHA compliant and are available as in-person or hybrid options.
In-Person Courses: This course is set up as an in-person class, and includes a presentation, skills practice, and written exam at the Fercho YMCA.
Hybrid Courses: This course is structured by having participants learn class material online prior to the in-person skills session. Included in the online material is an online exam that must be completed prior to the in-person class date. This online material will be emailed to participants approximately 1 week prior to the class date and will take approximately 3 hours. Participants will then arrive for a two-hour in-person skills training session with an instructor to complete the class.
Classes are held every month, check out our online registration platform to view available times and dates.
+ Lifeguarding Certifications Course
Lifeguarding Certification Course
Fercho YMCA only
The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course provides 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/sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over.
This program includes a Lifeguarding certification and a First Aid/CPR/AED certification. Participants must be 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of this course and must attend all three days of class to pass the certification.
Classes run Friday 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm and Sunday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Please note: Times are subject to change based on class size, pool time, and testing. These times will be reviewed with participants at the beginning and end of each day.
Classes are held every month, check out our online registration platform to view available times and dates.
Course Pre-Test
There are 2 tests given to participants on the first day of the course. Participants must be able to pass these in order to participate in the lifeguard course.
- Test 1
- Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards.
- After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading.
- After maintaining position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes, swim 50 more yards.
- While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating good breath control.
- You may use the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.
- Swim goggles are allowed.
- Notes:
- While treading, you can only use your legs.
- Place your hands under your armpits.
- Your head must remain above the surface of the water.
- Notes:
- Test 2
- You have 1 minute, 40 seconds to complete the following sequence
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water.
- 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 your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps
- You have 1 minute, 40 seconds to complete the following sequence
Course Completion Information
On successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, which is valid for 2 years.
To successfully complete the Lifeguarding course, you must:
- Successfully complete the online session
- Attend and participate in the classroom sessions
- Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during skill practices and assessment scenarios.
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
- Successfully complete all assessment scenarios.
- Pass the written multiple-choice exam with at least 80% or higher
+ Lifeguard Recertification Course
Lifeguard Recertification Course
Fercho YMCA only
This course is for American Red Cross certified lifeguards who need to renew their lifeguarding and first aid certifications. Participants must be currently certified or within 30 days of their expiration date. Participants will take the written test for Lifeguarding and First Aid training, as well as perform all the skills learned in a Lifeguarding class. There will be very limited review for this test - it is expected that participants have reviewed all information before attending this challenging course. This is an American Red Cross certification program.
Classes are held every month, check out our online registration platform to view available times and dates.
Required Skills and Certification: To enroll in the Lifeguarding Recertification course, you must have a current certification, or a certification expired by no more than 30 days for American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. To participate in the recertification course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place at the beginning of the in-person session.
- Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs.
- Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive (head-first or feet-first) to a depth of 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.
Online Information – Required before class: This course follows a blended learning model, which combines online coursework with in-person sessions. To get started, log in to the Red Cross Learning Center and from your home page, click on the class. The online course uses adaptive learning technology to create an independent learning plan for you. Each module begins with a pre-assessment. You can completely test out of a module, test out of specific learning objectives within the module, or be required to complete the entire module. Therefore, the time needed to complete the online coursework may vary. I recommend beginning the online coursework as soon as possible to ensure that you are able to complete all of the assigned online modules in advance of the corresponding in-person sessions. Please be prepared to provide proof that you completed the assigned online modules.
+ Babysitting Trainings
Babysitting Trainings
Fercho YMCA only
This eight-hour American Red Cross Babysitting Course is a hands-on way to learn everything you need to know about babysitting. Start your babysitting business on the right foot and learn how to be a safe, professional, and reliable sitter. This course will teach you to be safe on the job, how to recognize an emergency, and how to handle it effectively. Included in the course is a Pediatric American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certification that is valid for two years. A pizza lunch is provided. After successful completion of the training, participants will have the opportunity to gain experience by volunteering up to 10 hours at a YMCA Child Care location.
Classes are held every month, check out our online registration platform to view available times and dates.
Course Completion Information
On successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Red Cross Babysitters Training certification, which is valid for 2 years.
To successfully complete the Babysitters Training course, you must:
- Attend and participate in the classroom session
- Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during skill practices and assessment scenarios.
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
- Successfully complete all assessment scenarios.
Hold a Babysitting Training at your organization!
Have a group of 6+ and want to take a course together? We would be happy to hold a group class just for you! This is a great option for organizations, businesses, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, and many others. The YMCA can either host your group at the YMCA facility, or we can come to you! Help your team and friends feel safer, more educated, and prepared.
The organization will need to provide:
- Streaming internet
- Space for training
- Blank wall
- Minimum of 6 participants
To set up a Babysitting Training at your organization or to learn about group rates, please contact the Aquatics Director, Max Ommen at ommen@ymcanorthernsky.org
+ Private Group Classes: CPR/First Aid, Babysitting, Lifeguard
Private Group Classes
Do you have a group of 6+ and want to take a course together? We would be happy to hold a group class just for you! This is a great option for organizations, businesses, scouts, church groups, and many others. The YMCA can either host your group at a YMCA facility, or we can come to you! Help your team and friends feel safer, more educated, and prepared.
- To register your group in the Fargo/Moorhead area, please contact Max Ommen at 701.364.4126 or email safetyeducation@ymcanorthernsky.org.
- To register your group in the Fergus Falls area, please contact Anna Drenth at drenth@ymcanorthernsky.org.
Offsite classes will need internet access, space for training, TV and/or projector with HDMI connections.
Private group classes offered include:
- CPR, AED and First Aid Class Blended Learning - In Person Sessions
- CPR, AED, and First Aid Class Blended Learning- Hybrid Sessions (Online Learning and In-Person Skills)
- Babysitting Trainings (FM area only)
- Lifeguard Certification Course (Fercho YMCA only)