Monday, July 28, 2014

Plan ahead - DEM training lifeguards for next year

Those with Current Conditional Certification Must Also Take Test

I Lifeguard animated GIF

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Parks and Recreation will administer surf and non-surf lifeguard certification tests, beginning on August 4, to certify lifeguards for the year 2015.

Any candidate who passes one of these tests will be certified through September 30, 2015. Lifeguards who received a conditional 2014 surf or non-surf certification must take and pass one of these tests.

Surf tests will be given daily from Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett. Non-surf tests will be given daily from Tuesday, August 12 through Friday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Prosser Grove Picnic area in Burlingame State Park in Charlestown. No appointment is necessary. For those who pass, there is a $10 fee for the 2015 state certification card.

In case of inclement weather, candidates should contact the facility where the tests are being given for any cancellation information: Scarborough telephone 789-2324; Burlingame State Park telephone 322-8910.

All lifeguard candidates must be at least 16 years old and must bring a photo ID with verification of date of birth to the test. Any candidate under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign the application/waiver of liability form. All candidates must also bring valid training cards or certificates of completion in lifeguard training, first aid, and appropriate CPR, which includes adult, infant, and child CPR training. These must be original, up-to-date cards or certificates of completion, and not due to expire within 30 days.

For more information, call DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation headquarters at 667-6200 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. Information is also available on the Division of Parks and Recreation website at www.riparks.com under "Lifeguard Certification". Scroll down the page for specific information relative to the 2015 tests.