Fort Belvoir, Va. (March 13, 2014) - Seven future lifesavers are learning how to keep local pools and beaches safe during an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course at Benyaurd Indoor Pool, which runs through March 16.
Students learn professionalism, water rescue skills, water safety skills, and how to recognize emergencies and react to them throughout the 35-hour course, according to Tina Robinson, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation aquatics director.
While the training will help students deal with water emergencies, completion of the training does not guarantee an offer of employment from DFMWR Fort Belvoir, according to Robinson.
The Army has a contractual agreement with the American Red Cross to sponsor its Lifeguarding classes, according to Robinson. Fort Belvoir collects a fee from those who take the class. The good thing about working with the American Red Cross is that those who complete the class can work almost anywhere.
Three instructors are tasked with training the new students, including two instructors who have been certified for more than a year.
"They seem to be doing really well," Robinson said of the instructors. "We have some new equipment this year that we are trying out for the first time."
Brandon Venteicher, a Fort Belvoir Aquatics Team lead lifeguard, helps to teach the Lifeguarding training. He said he has been a lifeguard for five years and an instructor for two. He instructs the students' CPR training and teaches basic first aid.
Venteicher said he appreciates the opportunity to teach the class.
"It feels good," he said. "It's helping put people into the work place. It is a nice job for kids their age."
Ian Burgess, another aquatics team lead lifeguard, also helps to teach the course. He said that it's great to see high participation in the class.
"It is a fun job, and it's good to at least have a job when you are really young," Burgess said. "So, the fact that they are coming in now, when they are so young, is nice to see."
Everyone who takes the course, which is offered three to four times a year, must be at least 15 years old and pass a pre-test.
The pre-qualification test included a 300-yard nonstop swim test, which must be completed comfortably using a front crawl, breaststroke or both, according to Robinson. It also featured a two-minute water tread without the use of arms and retrieving a 10-pound brick from the bottom of the deep end of the pool.
The installation's next American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course will run from April 11-16, according to Robinson. Registration will begin two weeks before the start of the class.
For more information on registration, email Robinson at tina.r.robinson.naf@mail.mil.
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