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:
- Include lifeguard, CPR & 1st Aid training. CPR/1st Aid is almost always included in lifeguard certifications.
- Include both deep and shallow water training
- If taking an online course, it must be paired with an in-person class for demonstration and verification of skills
- 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
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 |