Certifications

First Aid & CPR Certification

All Roughing It staff (with the exception of some support staff) must have a current certification in Adult and Pediatric First Aid and  CPR/AED through the duration of camp.

The most common certification programs are offered through the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. The course must include in-person training with an instructor. Avoid websites that offer online certification without in-person training; Roughing It cannot accept online only certification. 

Roughing It hosts a First Aid / CPR training course, usually the Sunday before the start of camp. The course is made up of a two-hour online course followed by a roughly hour-long in-person training at our Lafayette office.

Lifeguard Training and Certification

All swim and waterfront staff must have a current lifeguard certification before beginning work at Roughing It and certifications must stay current through your duration of employment.

Lifeguard certification must:

  1. Include lifeguard, CPR & 1st Aid training. CPR/1st Aid is almost always included in lifeguard certifications.
  2. Include both deep and shallow water training
  3. If taking an online course, it must be paired with an in-person class for demonstration and verification of skills
  4. Be from a nationally recognized certifying body. We recommend American Red Cross or Ellis & Associates. If unsure, check with us before enrolling.

ARC (American Red Cross) certifications are usually valid for 2 years. Ellis & Associates certifications are valid for 1 year.

Be sure you sign up for the right lifeguard class. “Lifeguard Training” runs 4-5 days and is for people who don’t have a current, valid lifeguard certification. “Lifeguard Training Review” is a shorter, re-certification class (usually 2 days) and you MUST be currently certified at the time you take the review.

We recommend signing up for a lifeguard class early! Lifeguard courses are in high demand and many fill up by mid spring.

Copies and/or verification of your current and valid certifications must be submitted to Roughing It prior to beginning work. We cannot accept copies of lifeguard certification that have expired.

Where Can I Obtain Certification?

Below are organizations located in the Bay Area that offer First Aid/CPR & Lifeguard courses.

General Resources

American Red Cross National Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
Bay Area Public Pool Operators Website Lifeguard

Alameda County

Safety Training Seminars 2076 University Ave. Suite B Berkeley, CA 94704 Phone: (510) 225-6216 Website CPR/1st Aid
YMCA Berkeley Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
YMCA Oakland Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
UC Berkeley UC Berkeley Campus Phone: (510) 643-8038 CPR/1st aid classes Lifeguard classes CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
Lifesavers 331 Laguna Vista Alameda, CA 94501 510-521-4946 Website  CPR/1st Aid

San Francisco

Safety Training Seminars 598 Vermont Street (18th St) San Francisco, CA 94107 Phone: (415) 437-1600 Website CPR/1st Aid
Lifesaver CPR 2121 South El Camino Real Suite #C200 San Mateo, 94403 Website  CPR/1st Aid

Contra Costa County

City of Concord, Leisure Services Concord Leisure Services 1950 Parkside Drive, MS/10 Concord, CA 94519-2578 Phone: (925) 671-3404 Fax: (925) 671-3449 Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
City of Walnut Creek, Recreation Division Walnut Creek Recreation Division PO Box 8039 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 943-5856 Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
Soda Aquatic Center (Moraga) Campolindo High School 300 Moraga Rd. Moraga, CA 94556 Phone: (925) 376-6597 Website Lifeguard
City of Orinda, Community Center Orinda Community Center 26 Orinda Way PO Box 2000 Orinda, CA 94563 Phone: (925) 254-2445 Website CPR
City of San Ramon, Parks and Community Services San Ramon Parks and Community Services P.O. Box 5148 San Ramon, CA 94538 Phone: (925) 973-3200 Fax: (925) 830-5162 Website Lifeguard
Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District Pleasant Hill Community Center 320 Civic Drive Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925)676-5200 Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
YMCA- Irvin Deutscher 350 Civic Drive Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925) 687-8900 Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
YMCA – Hilltop Family Pinole Swim Center 2450 Simas Ave. Pinole, CA 94564 Phone: (510) 724-9025 Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard
Safety Training Seminars 785 Oak Grove Rd. Suite U Concord, CA 94518 Phone: (925) 6919780- Website CPR/1st Aid
City of Antioch, Recreation Department Antioch Water Park 4071 Lone Tree Way Antioch, CA 94531 Phone: (925) 776-3070 Fax: (925) 776-3078 Website CPR/1st Aid Lifeguard