SMU Students have a new option for their Choices II credit nextsemester: Lifeguarding Today.
Recreational Sports is preparing to hire 10 to 15 students inApril as lifeguards for the aquatics center in the new DedmanCenter for Lifetime Sports, set to open in late August.
Students who are interested should enroll in Wellness 2146,which will meet in Perkins Natatorium Tuesdays and Thursdays from9:30 to 10:50 a.m.
Through the class, students will receive American Red Crosscertification in lifeguarding, first aid, CPR for the professionalrescuer and AED, or automated external defibrillator.
The lifeguarding certification lasts three years, and the CPRcertification lasts one year.
“These are certifications that most facilities will acceptfor employment,” said Sarah Donahue, aquatics coordinator ofthe recreational sports and spirit department in the DedmanCenter.
“This is a great way to get certified before the summeroutdoor season.”
Donahue said interested students should be confident swimmersprior to the class, preferably able to swim freestyle andbreaststroke, complete 500 meters and be able to retrieve a brickfrom the bottom of the pool.
“We will be working on swimming skills, so if they are notable to do this on the first day of class, we will work to get themto a higher level in order to pass the lifeguard test,” shesaid.
Most of the coursework can be completed in class, but there willbe some outside reading required.
Currently the maximum registration is 10 students.
However, if more students are interested, Donahue said theymight be able to set up an additional night class forcertification, if not for credit.
“We are looking for students that are interested in beinginvolved with the SMU community,” Donahue said.
“They do not have to want to pursue a career inrecreational sports, but they do need to have the drive tostrengthen their leadership skills and learn how to workeffectively in a team environment.”
Donahue also emphasized that the students will often beconsidered responsible for the health and safety of people at theDedman Center.
“They need to be ready to face that responsibility withmaturity and be willing to put a little extra time into keeping upon their skills through training sessions throughout thesemester,” she said.
A 10-week group exercise instructor training course will also beavailable in the spring, for classes such as extreme kick-boxing,step, jump rope, full body sculpt, summer abs, boot camp, yoga andPilates.
“The course will involve learning about basic exercisephysiology and how to properly teach aerobic activity whileavoiding injury,” Donahue said.
Rock-climbing training will also be available closer to thefacility’s completion.
“I recommend that students look into all of theopportunities that will be available and take advantage ofthem,” Donahue said.
Students can contact Sarah Donahue for more information aboutgroup exercise instructing or lifeguarding and for more informationabout the rock-climbing experience contact David Chambers.
