Certifications
First Aid & CPR Certification
All Roughing It staff (with the exception of some support staff) must be certified in First Aid and CPR before camp starts and through the duration of employment at Roughing It.
Training and certification must be for Adult and Pediatric 1st Aid and CPR/AED. While the lecture portion of your class can be taken online, your certification must include an in-person demonstration and evaluation of your skills with an instructor. If you plan to take one of these hybrid (part online, part in-person), courses, we encourage you to double check if the cost of the online portion includes the practical application session, or if it is an additional charge.
Most staff are certified through the American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA). Beware of cheap, online-only certification organizations, as these do not meet the higher training standards or ARC or AHA, and we are unable to accept certification through them. If unsure, check with us before enrolling.
A copy of your certifications must be submitted to Roughing It prior to beginning work. We cannot accept copies of expired or invalid certifications.
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 |