CPR & 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
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: $70 | Non-Members: $108 |
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 classes will be held from 6:00 - 10:00pm
- April 25, 2024
- May 13, 2024
- May 28 2024
- June 11, 2024
- June 19, 2024
- July 1, 2024
- July 17, 2024
Hybrid Courses - Choose 5:30 - 7:30pm or 7:30 - 9:30pm for each date listed
- May 1, 2024
- May 22, 2024
- June 6, 2024
- June 13, 2024
- June 25, 2024
- July 10, 2024
- July 29, 2024
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:
- 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.
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits or on their head.
- 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
- May 17 - 19, 2024
- June 7 - 9, 2024
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 | 8:00am - 5:00pm | Ages 15+ | Members: $80, Non-Members: $95 |
Upcoming Dates
- May 19, 2024
Lifeguard Instructors Course
Lifeguard Instructors Course
This American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course trains instructors to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses. Participants must have a current lifeguard certificate in order to enroll in this class.
Details
| Fercho YMCA | 5:30 - 9:30pm | Ages 17+ | Members: $220, Non-Members: $275 |
Upcoming Dates
No dates available at this time
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 | 1:30 - 5:30pm | Ages 11 - 14 | Members: $110, Non-Members: $135 |
Upcoming Session
Class Dates: April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, and May 18, 2024 - 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
Stay tuned for future dates!
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 | 9:00am - 5:00pm | Ages 11+ | Members: $91, Non-Members: $120 |
Upcoming Dates
- May 11, 2024
- June 15, 2024
- July 13, 2024
To register and find out more information, please visit our Babysitting Trainings Page.
Wilderness and Remote First Aid
Wilderness and Remote First Aid
This American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid course provides individuals with a foundation of first aid principles and skills to be able to respond to emergencies and give care in areas that do not have immediate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response - such as wilderness and remote environments.
Details
| Fercho YMCA | 1:00 - 5:30pm | Ages 14+ | Members: $135, Non-Members: $170 |
Upcoming Dates
Stay tuned for future dates!
Safety Education at Camp Cormorant NEW!
We also offer Safety Education classes at Camp Cormorant in Lake Park, Minnesota!
Learn more about 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
| Location | Ages | Price |
| Camp Cormorant, 14563 YMCA Lane, Lake Park, Minnesota | 15+ | 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 Camp Cormorant.
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
Stay tuned for upcoming dates.
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
| Camp Cormorant | 9:00am - 5:00pm | Ages 11+ | Members: $85, Non-Members: $115 |
Upcoming Dates
Stay tuned for upcoming dates.
To register and find out more information, please 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. To register your group, please contact Max Ommen at 701.364.4126 or email safetyeducation@ymcacassclay.org. 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 | $88 |
| CPR, AED, and First Aid (In Person or Hybrid) | 15-20 | $78 |
| Babysitting Training | 6-14 | $100 |
| Babysitting Training | 15-20 | $95 |
| Lifeguarding Certifications | 6-20 | $180 |