Red Cross Courses

Frequently Asked Questions for Red Cross courses

Where can I find information about your American Red Cross courses?
Our course costs, descriptions and schedules can be viewed on our website or obtained at our front desk.

Where do you offer these courses?
All classes are taught on-site at Swim-in Zone, with the exception of our lifeguard course.  For lifeguard certification, a deep water component is required. Participants in Swim-in Zone’s Red Cross Lifeguard course meet on one day of the course (all other days are taught at Swim-In Zone)  at the West End pool in Allentown to learn/practice deep water rescue skills.

How do I register for a class?
You may:
1. Fax your registration form with valid credit card information to 610.625.4850 
2. Call 610.625.4848 – we take credit cards over the phone
3. Send a course registration form by mail (with payment, checks preferred) to: 
Swim-in Zone
4355 Saucon Creek Rd.
Center Valley, PA  18034
4. Register in person.

How far in advance do I have to register?
You may register anytime up until the day before the class. Registrations are accepted until a course is full.

Can I reserve a place in class without registering?
No. To hold a place you must register and pay for the course in advance.

Can I pay on the day of the class or must I prepay?
We must receive payment in advance to assure that you will have a book, and that we have enough equipment for everyone in the class.  Your place in the class is not secured unless a payment is received.

Can I pay a portion of the fee to hold my spot?
Yes.  You may put a deposit of $25 down for CPR challenge or recertification; however, if you fail to attend the class, the deposit is not refundable.  Lifeguard classes (full class or recertification) require a $75 deposit (non-refundable if you do not attend); and, you must pay in full 24 hours before the scheduled class.

Can I pay for a class by check via mail?
If you wish to pay by mail, please mail your check with the name and date of the class along with the registration form available for print online. The check must be received one week prior to the class.

If I withdraw from a class before the class begins, can I get a refund?
If you withdraw from a class with >48 hours advance notice, you can get a full refund.  If < 48 hours notice is given, a $25 withdrawal fee will be deducted from your refund. It takes 2-4 weeks for refund checks to be mailed. 

Can I transfer to another class?
You can transfer to a different class, but there is a $5 service fee.

Sometimes classes are cancelled because of lack of enrollment. Will I get my money back if you cancel the class?
Yes. If we cancel, we will give you a full refund or transfer you to another class at no extra charge.  We will call a week prior to the class if it is going to be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

I didn't receive a confirmation letter. Can I still go to the class?
Yes. To confirm your registration by telephone, please call 610.625.4848.

How do I get certified as a lifeguard?
Lifeguard Training classes are offered many times a year.  Please check the website Swim-in Zone Red Cross schedule for class times.  The full course runs 37 hours and includes certification in CPR, AED, First Aid and Lifeguard Training.

What is a Lifeguarding Challenge/Review course?
Anyone with a current lifeguarding certification that is about to expire may take this course to gain recertification without retaking the entire Lifeguard Training course.   It will take 6-8 hours, to test the CPR, AED, First Aid and Lifeguard Training for recertification.  If your certification has already expired it is best to retake the whole course again.

What happens if a student is unable to pass the prerequisite for lifeguard classes?
We will refund the cost of the class less a $25 fee, provided that the book and pocket mask are re-salable.

What are the prerequisites for the lifeguarding class?
Age 15 before the last published date of the class; 300 yd. swim (200 yd. of front crawl and 100 yd. of breaststroke); swim 20 yds. pick up 10lb. brick off the bottom in at least 7 ft. of water then swim 20 yds. in 1min. 40 seconds. 

Do I receive my certification on the last day of class?
No, a letter of achievement will be issued on the last day of class. The certificates will be mailed to us from the American Red Cross approximately 2-3 weeks later, and we will get them out to you as soon as we receive them. 

What if I have a Wild Water certification?  Do I have to take the whole class?
Yes.  You must take the whole Red Cross Lifeguarding course.

I have Professional CPR/AED certification, but it expires this month. How do I get recertified?
If you need professional CPR/AED recertification, we offer the Red Cross Challenge/Review course. Check the schedule for dates for CPR recertification and sign up for the class. If you need the certification ASAP, we will permit you to recertify by attending the full professional CPR/AED course offered with the Lifeguard Training Course.

How do I become a WSI/ Red Cross Water Safety Instructor?
Red Cross Water Safety Instructor training is only offered to our Swim-in Zone staff.  Please call the Red Cross to see if there is a class being offered somewhere else.

What is Water Safety Training for Day Care Providers?
This is a course offered in the spring. It provides state-mandated training for anyone taking day care children to the local pool.  We send out the flyer in early May with all the information about the course including the day and time to any day care centers who have come to the course in previous years. Other day care centers can call and have the flyer sent to their facility.

What is Home Pool Safety?
It is an annual course at Swim-in Zone providing a variety of safety information for anyone with a home pool.