The Rhode Island Division of Environmental Administration has applied modifications to the lifeguard certification course of to make it simpler for candidates to use. DEM hopes the modifications will enhance the variety of lifeguard candidates and its means to maintain seashores supervised and guarded. This can be a multiyear course of, and DEM can be implementing the next two modifications earlier than the standard full certification check in August.
Lifeguards who at the moment maintain a full certification resulting from expire on Sept. 30, 2022 can be exempt from taking a check this month. DEM can be extending the expiration of a present state certification till June 15, 2023. These eligible candidates will obtain notification for his or her information.
Lifeguards who presently maintain a conditional certification are nonetheless required to attend the August certification. Nevertheless, these candidates can be examined solely on the swim portion. They won’t must display rescue abilities at the moment.
Certification for 2023 will happen within the spring of 2023 and require an indication of rescue abilities and the completion of the endurance swim. The endurance swim could also be carried out in a pool earlier than the certification or could also be accomplished on the time of the certification testing within the spring of 2023. There’ll not be any testing in August after 2022.
Adjustments to the method that may take impact in 2023:
- The allowable endurance swim distance can be 400 meters or a quarter mile. The endurance swim nonetheless should be accomplished in underneath 10 minutes and with solely a forward-facing swim stroke.
- The endurance swim could also be carried out in a pool earlier than attending a testing date for state certification. Chances are you’ll carry out this endurance swim in any state by which you reside or attend college between March 2023 and the date you plan to attend the state certification check. The endurance swim should be carried out in entrance of an accepted aquatic examiner who will attest and full a proof of endurance swim kind. DEM is creating this manner and can outline who could also be thought-about an accepted aquatic examiner. The shape can be housed within the Lifeguard Certification Portal.
- On the time of the state certification check, you’ll be required to current the proof of endurance swim kind together with all different required varieties and certifications (first help, CPR, lifeguard coaching) and the finished lifeguard certification kind to DEM.
- If you don’t full the endurance swim earlier than the state certification check or in case you fail to offer a correctly executed proof of endurance swim kind you’ll be required to carry out the endurance swim on the state certification check date.
- All candidates are required to register for a particular testing time through the Lifeguard Certification Portal. Stroll-ins can be allowed as testing schedule dictates. If you want to carry out the endurance swim on the state certification check, we suggest using a wetsuit when you’ve got considerations in regards to the water temperature.
- Beginning within the spring of 2023, state certification check dates can be expanded to incorporate later hours, in addition to weekend testing dates to raised accommodate candidates’ schedules.
For extra info, name 401-667-6200 or e mail DEM.RIparks@dem.ri.gov.