Safety Education

As part of our commitment to social responsibility, YMCA offers a variety of American Red Cross safety education courses, including CPR/AED and First Aid, Lifeguarding, Babysitting Trainings, and more!

All YMCA Safety Education courses are taught by certified American Red Cross instructors. Many of these classes come with an American Red Cross certification, as well as hands on practice and training to prepare you to handle a variety of situations skillfully and professionally. Attendance at all class times listed is mandatory.

Learn more about each of our available courses below.

CPR/AED & First Aid – Combined Course

Prepare for the unexpected and gain the knowledge and skills needed for effective leadership in the event of an emergency! This course will prepare you to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving infants, children, and adults. Topics include how to recognize and manage an emergency situation, basic first aid, standard emergency care procedures and administration, CPR, AED, and more.

After completion of this class, you will be certified for two years in Red Cross CPR, AED, and First Aid for adults, children, and infants. Classes are OSHA compliant and are available as in-person or hybrid options.

Details
Fercho YMCA  Ages 15+  6 - 10pm  Members: $65  Non-Members: $103 

In-Person Courses: This course is set up as an in-person class, and includes a presentation, skills practice, and written exam at the Fercho YMCA.

Hybrid Courses: This course is structured by having participants learn class material online prior to the in-person skills session. Included in the online material is an online exam that must be completed prior to the in-person class date. This online material will be emailed to participants approximately 1 week prior to the class date and will take approximately 3 hours. Participants will then arrive for a two-hour in-person skills training session with an instructor to complete the class.

Upcoming Dates

In-Person Courses - All courses are held from 6 - 10pm

  • March 23
  • April 25
  • May 24
  • June 1
  • July 6
  • August 2

Hybrid Courses - Choose 5:30pm or 7:30pm for each date listed

  • February 16
  • February 23
  • February 27
  • March 8
  • March 16
  • March 27
  • April 5
  • April 13
  • April 19
  • May 4
  • May 9
  • May 16
  • June 6
  • June 14
  • June 19
  • July 13
  • July 18
  • July 26
  • August 10
  • August 15
  • August 23

 Register Now

Lifeguarding Certifications

Lifeguarding Course

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies/injuries/sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over.

This program includes a Lifeguarding certification and a First Aid/CPR/AED certification. Participants must be 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of this course, and must attend all three days of class to pass the certification.

There are 3 tests given to participants on the first day of the course. Participants must be able to pass these in order to complete the lifeguarding course:

  1. Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Participants may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
  2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits or on their head.
  3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object while keeping the face at or near the surface in order to breathe. Participants may not swim the distance underwater. Finish by exiting the water without using a ladder or steps.
Details
Fercho YMCA Ages 15+ Members: $180 Non-Members: $220

Classes run Friday 6pm – 10pm,  Saturday 8am – 8pm and Sunday 8am – 8pm

Please note: Times are subject to change based on class size, pool time, and testing. These times will be reviewed with participants at the beginning and end of each day. 

Upcoming Dates

  • March 24 - 26
  • April 21 - 23
  • May 5 - 7
  • May 19 - 21
  • June 2 - 4
  • July 7 - 9
  • August 25 - 27

 Register Now

Lifeguard & First Aid Challenge Course – Recertification

Lifeguard & First Aid Challenge Course – Recertification

This course is for American Red Cross certified lifeguards who need to renew their lifeguarding and first aid certifications. Participants must be currently certified or within 30 days of their expiration date. Participants will take the written test for Lifeguarding and First Aid training, as well as perform all the skills learned in a Lifeguarding class. There will be very limited review for this test - it is expected that participants have reviewed all information before attending this challenging course. This is an American Red Cross certification program. 

Details

Fercho YMCA 8am - 5pm Ages 15+ Members: $75, Non-Members: $85

Upcoming Dates

  • June 11
  • August 5

 Register Now

Junior Lifegarding & Junior Swim Lesson Instructor Courses

Junior Lifeguarding Course

Learn the skills needed to become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard! This course has a strong focus on developing the swimming skills needed to complete the pre-requisites of our Lifeguarding Course. Participants will also get an introduction to lifesaving skills, like in-water rescues, use of a rescue tube, and first aid, CPR, and AED. Junior lifeguarding participants will also have the opportunity to shadow lifeguards in rotation to get a feel for what it's like to be on the job!

Details

Fercho YMCA  2:00 - 6:00pm  Ages 11 - 14  Members: $105, Non-Members: $130 

Upcoming Session

Sundays: March 26, April 2, April 16, and April 23 - must attend all dates


Junior Swim Lesson Instructor Course

For students interested in becoming a YMCA swim instructor, this is the place to start! Participants will learn the skills and attitude necessary to provide a safe and fun environment in the water, through observation, hands-on practice, and more.

The program focuses on teaching the following foundational swim instructor skills:

  • Deliver the YMCA Swim Lesson program
  • Engage learners
  • Develop Youth
  • Communicate with Parents and Caregivers
  • Prevent and Respond to Emergencies
  • Demonstrate swimming ability.  

Pre-requisites include proper demonstration of freestyle and backstroke, knowledge of butterfly and breaststroke, and ability to jump from the deck into the water and swim 50 yards freestyle and 50 yards backstroke continuously.

Details

Fercho YMCA  9:00am - 5:00pm  Ages 11 - 14  Members: $70, Non-Members: $90

Upcoming Session

April 15


Register for both the Junior Lifeguarding and the Junior Swim Lesson Instructor Courses and receive 50% off the price of your Junior Swim Lesson Instructor registration fee! To receive the discount, contact our team at 701.364.4126 or safetyeducation@ymcacassclay.org

Babysitting Trainings

Babysitting Trainings

The YMCA also offers Babysitting Trainings - learn everything you need to know about babysitting with this fun, hands-on course!

Details

Fercho YMCA  9am - 5pm  Ages 11+  Members: $85, Non-Members: $115 

For more information and to view upcoming class dates, visit our Babysitting Trainings Page.


Private Group Classes

Do you have a group of 6+ and want to take a course together? We would be happy to hold a group class just for you! This is a great option for organizations, businesses, scouts, church groups, and many others. The YMCA can either host your group at a YMCA facility, or we can come to you! Help your team and friends feel safer, more educated, and prepared. Offsite classes will need internet access, space for training, TV and/or projector with HDMI connections.

Private group classes offered include:

  • CPR, AED and First Aid Class - In Person Sessions
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid Class - Hybrid Sessions (Online Learning and In-Person Skills)
  • Babysitting Trainings

Details

Class Number of Participants Price Per Participant
CPR, AED, and First Aid (In Person or Hybrid)  6-14 $85
CPR, AED, and First Aid (In Person or Hybrid) 15-20 $75
Babysitting Training 6-14 $95
Babysitting Training 15-20 $85
Lifeguarding Certifications 6-20 $180