American Red Cross Courses

Purpose: To give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for a non-breathing victim. Emergency use of breathing devices, including resuscitation masks, bag-valve-mask resuscitators (BVMs), and emergency oxygen.

Prerequisites: Current American Red Cross Adult, Child or Infant CPR or equivalent

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe the importance of administering emergency oxygen.
• List the steps required to administer emergency oxygen.
• Identify different oxygen delivery devices and when to use them.
• List the precautions to take when using emergency oxygen.
• Demonstrate how to properly remove disposable gloves.
• Demonstrate how to use a resuscitation mask and BVM to ventilate a nonbreathing victim.
• Demonstrate how to prepare the oxygen equipment and administer emergency oxygen to a breathing or a nonbreathing victim.

Purpose: This course teaches how to recognize and respond to an anaphylaxis emergency, including administering an epinephrine auto-injector based on the widely available EpiPen®.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe anaphylaxis.
• Differentiate between a mild allergic and a severe (anaphylactic) reaction.
• Apply the Emergency Action Steps to an anaphylaxis emergency.
• Identify the steps for administering an epinephrine auto-injector.
• Describe how to store and maintain an epinephrine auto-injector.

Purpose: Participants will be able to provide care to a person experiencing an asthma attack.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify the signs and symptoms of asthma.
• Describe how to report the event of an asthma attack and your care to more advanced medical personnel.
• Demonstrate the use of a metered-dose inhaler.

Purpose: This a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that drive better patient outcomes. Consistent with AHA Guidelines for CPR/ECC. Covers breathing and cardiac emergencies – including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway – for adult, child, and infant patients. Participants receive a two-year digital “Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers” certificate upon course completion. Courses delivered nationwide by our expert instructors.

Course Materials: Course materials will be provided in class but you will not be able to take them home. 

Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives: 

• Perform a rapid assessment for responsive and unresponsive adult, child, and infant.
• Apply concepts of effective teamwork when caring for a patient experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
• Effectively care for adults, children and infants in respiratory arrest.
• Demonstrate effective use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for adults, children and infants.

Purpose: This is a course that provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. It also prepares participants for aquatic emergencies by teaching them how to protect themselves while assisting others. Basic Water Rescue does not provide participants with all the knowledge and skills needed to be certified as a lifeguard.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn water safety guidelines for activities in, on, or around the water.
• Know how to protect yourself while assisting others.
• Recognize the characteristic behaviors of someone who needs help in the water.
• Define an emergency action plan.
•  Effectively perform basic water rescue saves and assists. 

Purpose: This course teaches participants how bloodborne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure, and what to do if exposed to infectious material. After taking this course, participants should talk with their employer about their workplace’s specific policies and procedures. Classroom and web-based training options are available.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives: 

• Define bloodborne pathogens.
•  Identify the bloodborne pathogens of primary concern.
•  List the ways bloodborne pathogens can enter a person’s body.
•  Describe the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and handwashing in reducing the risk of bloodborne pathogens transmission.
•  Identify work practices that help eliminate or reduce the risk of exposure.
• Learn how to remove disposable gloves properly.
• List procedures to follow if exposure occurs.

Purpose: This course helps participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies. The courses in this program teach the knowledge and skills needed to give immediate care to an injured or ill person and to decide whether advanced medical care is needed.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe how to recognize an emergency.
• How to activate and work with emergency medical services (EMS).
• Demonstrate how to check an unconscious person for life-threatening conditions.
• Demonstrate how to care for a person who is choking.
• Demonstrate how to perform CPR.
• Identify the signals of common sudden illnesses.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to train instructor candidates to teach the American Red Cross basic-level First Aid, CPR, and AED courses.

Prerequisites: 

• Be at least 16 years of age on the last day of the instructor course.
• Possess current American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and/or AED certification(s) or equivalent certification (email recsafety@txstate.edu to see if your certification counts.)
• Have successfully completed the following online items before the start of class (after registering for the course more information will be sent to you on these):
  • Orientation to the First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Course.
  • Orientation to the American Red Cross.
  • First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Precourse Test (score 80 percent or better).

Learning Objectives: 

• Properly demonstrate and teach CPR and the use of AED.
• Lead group discussions in a course.
• Utilize videos as visual aid.
• Capitalize on public speaking skills by leading a course.

Purpose: This course provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

Prerequisites (see video below for detailed info on required swim tests):

1.  Must be 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of this course.

2.  Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke, or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.

3.  Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.

4.  Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
• 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 the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so you are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance underwater. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Learning Objectives:

• Effectively use program materials and training equipment.
• Perform applicable in-water rescue, first aid, CPR and AED skills.
• Deliver quality, consistent and standardized content by following the Lifeguarding Instructor’s Manual.
• Ensure patrons’ health and safety.
• React to emergency situation in and around water. 

Purpose: To train current lifeguards to be Certified Lifeguards Instructors. This course uses the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course as its base and reflect the United States Lifeguarding Standards.

Prerequisites: 

• Be at least 17 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course.
•  Possess one of the following:
•  A current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED (Shallow Water Lifeguarding does not qualify).
•  A current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid and either an American Red Cross certificate for CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer or an American Red Cross certificate for CPR/AED for Lifeguards.
• An equivalent certificate from another organization (email recsafety@txstate.edu to see if yours qualifies)
• Successfully complete the Online Session for the Lifeguarding Instructor course, which consists of the following:
• Orientation to the American Red Cross
• Orientation to the Lifeguarding Instructor Course and Precourse Exam

Purpose: A course developed in collaboration with USA Swimming that is designed to provide participants training in aquatic safety and focuses on basic knowledge and skills to prevent and respond appropriately to many of the emergencies that can occur in a competitive swimming environment.

We do not offer this course on a regular basis but if you have at least four participants we can schedule a class just for your group. Please contact us at recsafety@txstate.edu or call 512-245-2392 for more information.

Purpose: This course teaches participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies in shallow water up to 4 feet deep. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drownings and injuries in shallow water. This course is not intended for the shallow part of an area or attraction that also has deeper water.

We do not offer this course on a regular basis but if you have at least four participants we can schedule a class just for your group. Please contact us at recsafety@txstate.edu or call 512-245-2392 for more information.

Purpose: This course trains instructor candidates to teach courses and presentations in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants’ progress.

Prerequisites: 

• Be at least 16 years of age on or before the final scheduled lesson of this course.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills:
  1. Swim the following strokes consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts, Level 4 (see here for Level 4 standards)
     • Front crawl—25 yards
     • Back crawl—25 yards
     • Breaststroke—25 yards
     • Elementary backstroke—25 yards
     • Sidestroke—25 yards
     • Butterfly—15 yards
  2. Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling).
  3. Tread water for 1 minute.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key elements and strategies for planning and preparing effective and safe swim lessons.
• Identify key class management principles, elements, and strategies for planning, preparing, and conducting safe swim lessons.
• Describe the importance of effective observation for teaching and how to develop it.
• Observe swimming, headfirst entry, and diving skills, and accurately classify them and suggest appropriate interventions to improve them.
• Develop the ability to effectively communicate about participants’ progress in swim lessons.
•  Modify teaching to meet unexpected challenges, including dealing with participants who misbehave.
• Demonstrate the ability to accommodate participants who move, learn, communicate and behave differently.

Purpose: To teach lifeguards the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps, and campgrounds.

Prerequisites: 

• 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of this course
• Bring proof of a current Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED certification
• Complete four prerequisite tests:

1. Swim 550 yards continuously in a prone position demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Swimming on the back is not allowed. Swim goggles are allowed. 
2.  Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds.
4. Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface, and swim 5 yards to the side of the pool.

IF YOU DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE TESTS YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH THE CLASS. NO EXCEPTIONS AND NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Identifying and handling rip currents and waves
• Demonstrate effective rescue skills
• Knowledge on water safety
• Describe the unique aspects of waterfront lifeguarding
• Perform waterfront rescue skills safely and effectively