Aquatics

Ready to become a lifeguard?

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training

Register

Class 1 Option: May 7-9
Class 2 Option: May 21-23

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will also learn how to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over. This will be a blended learning training (Part online, part in-person)   

Participants must be 15 years old by the last day of the class (April 9, 2020). 

Ready to take the next step in lifeguarding?

American Red Cross LGI Lifeguard INSTRUCTOR Training

Register

May 14-16 (Friday through Sunday)
Friday:1-6 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8 am-6 pm

Those 17 years and older who have a current lifeguard certification and have completed the Pre-Course Skill Evaluation and online Pre-Coursework are eligible for this class. Following registration, you will receive an email from the course instructor with more information about your class. (Please note if your Lifeguard Certification has expired contact the instructor for more information victor@eugeneymca.org.)

For More Information:
aquatics@eugeneymca.org / 541-686-9622

Team Eugene Aquatics, in cooperation with the Eugene Family YMCA, is a year-round competitive swim team offering instruction, training, and competition to children and young adults of all ages and abilities.

For more information on the Swim Team, please visit Team Eugene's website.  

The Water Watchers Campaign is a joint program of Eugene Family YMCA, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, City of Eugene Recreation, River Road Park and Recreation District, and Veneta Community Pool to encourage individuals to commit to keeping kids in and around the water safe. 

The Water Watchers Campaign invites individuals to sign a pledge declaring their commitment to watching children in and around pools and other water bodies and responding in the case of an emergency. Those who pledge agree that they have a responsibility to keep kids safe in and around water.

Water Watchers pledge to:

• Actively watch the children in and around water.
• Keep their eyes on the water.
• Avoid distractions like talking on the phone, socializing, or reading while watching children.
• Keep a phone near water for emergencies.
• Remain by the water until relieved by a new water watcher.
• Be aware of currents, undertows, water temperatures and obstructions in natural water bodies.
• Require a well-fitting life jacket for children on boats.

Water Watchers for Water Safety

Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in 2017, drowning claimed the lives of almost 1,000 U.S. children.

"Water safety is always a top priority, especially in Oregon where families love to spend time outside--in the comfort of their own yard or at any one of our state's beautiful swimming holes," said Sabrina Hershey Black, the Eugene Family YMCA's Aquatics Director. "This year is particularly worrisome because coronavirus has kept kids out of school and busy parents are trying to juggle work and parenting. When we pull out kiddie pools and inflatable pools or take trips to nearby ponds, lakes or streams, we need to make sure that children are supervised at all times."