What to Wear
- For the classroom:
- Dress comfortably. Shorts and T-shirts are fine, but try to avoid making any major statements with your clothing.
- I like to wear windbreaker pants, with my swimsuit on beneath. It makes for a quicker transition to the water.
- Before your first class, you may want to call and specifically ask what the dress code for your class will be.
- For the pool:
- Girls: a one piece swimsuit (some classes may permit modest two pieces)
- Guys: regular trunks (no speedos or jammers)
What Not to Wear
- Avoid lotion on days when you'll be in the water. Some skills (like extraction) can be more difficult and perhaps dangerous with slippery hands.
- Don't wear jewelry. Although some may permit stud earrings, most pools have rules against wearing any jewelry. Piercings can be ripped out, and jewelry presents hazards while performing various skills.
- Crocs (or similar) shoes work well for walking on slippery pool decks.
What to Bring
- A towel.
- A whistle and lanyard. (I recommend a Fox40 Mini or Fox40 Classic.)
- The text book for the course (eg. Red Cross Lifeguarding)
- Your pocket mask.
- Any current, relevant certifications you possess.
- You may be allowed to wear goggles for the distance swim, but not for any other skills in the class.
- If you wear contacts - please keep in mind that you will need to open your eyes under water, but you are not permitted goggles. (This simulates real life.) You may wish to bring contact solution, and perhaps extra contacts; however most people don't lose their contacts as long as they close their eyes briefly when breaking the surface of the water.
- Items in green are provided to participants in GuardCamp lifeguarding courses.
What Not to Bring
- Gum. While it's not school and getting up to throw away gum is OK, you can not have gum while performing CPR or working in the water. You might as well get used to not having it.
- Your cell phone... well, OK, bring it, but be responsible. Leave it in your bag, turned off, unless you're expecting an important / emergency call.
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Although the information here is meant to be authoritative and accurate, it is not a substitute for actual training. The information here has not been independently and scientifically verified. Always consult with your instructors and employers regarding your standard of care and other legal concerns before implementing anything mentioned here.
