Safety Courses

Mason Recreation offers two CPR/AED with First Aid courses: Adult & Pediatric CPR/FA/AED and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers w/ First Aid. Both are offered in a blended learning format, which means there will be online modules to complete before the in-person portion of the course for each participant. Participants will not be allowed into the in-person portion of the course until the online portion is completed and verified by the instructor(s).

Course Information:

Course Differences:

• The Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies such as burns cuts scrapes sudden illnesses head neck back injuries heat and cold emergencies and how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies to help victims of any age - adults (about 12 years and older) and pediatric (infants and children up to 12 years of age). Students who complete this course will receive a certificate for Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years.
• The CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers with First Aid course trains rescuers to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children, and infants at a higher level than the Adult & Pediatric certification until more advanced medical personnel take over. This course is especially good for individuals interested in pursuing career paths such as firefighter, EMT, and athletic training. This course specifically focuses on bivalve mask usage and 2-person CPR. Students who complete this course will receive a certificate for CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers with First Aid valid for two years.

Course Dates & Times:

Adult & Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and AED

CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers with First Aid

Mason Recreation offers lifeguard certification and recertification courses, depending on whether a participant holds a current, valid lifeguarding certification or not. Both are offered in a blended learning format, which means there will be online modules to complete before the in-person portion of the course for each participant. Participants will not be allowed into the in-person portion of the course until the online portion is completed and verified by the instructor(s). Attendance at each day of the course is mandatory to receive certification.

Course Information:

• The Lifeguard Certification course trains participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants do not need to have a prior lifeguarding certification for this course. Certification includes Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuers through the American Red Cross.
• The Lifeguard Recertification course recertifies lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Certification includes American Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. A copy of the participants' current certification must be given to the instructor on the first day of class. Individuals whose certification has expired beyond 30 days by the first day of class must take the full certification course again.

Eligibility/Prerequisites

• Course participants must be at least 15 years old by the date of the in-person portion of the course.
• Successfully complete both prerequisite swim tests:
  • Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest.
    • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
      • Swim goggles are allowed.
      • Swimming on the back is not permitted.
    • Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
    • Swim 50 years using front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
  • Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim googles are not allowed).
    • Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
    • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out or near the surface.
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Course Dates & Times:

Lifeguarding Certification

Lifeguard Recertification

Mason Recreation offers 3 courses for participants to become instructors in their field of choice: CPR/AED/First Aid, Lifeguarding, or Water Safety. Each participant must currently hold a certification for the course type they intend to become an instructor for, complete online modules ahead of the in-person portion, and attend all of the in-person portions of the courses. Upon successful completion of the course, participants are also eligible, but not automatically guaranteed, to become an instructor for Mason Recreation's safety course department. Employment is contingent on a meeting with our safety course coordinator. Reach out to [email protected] if you have completed your instructor certification and are interested in becoming one of our instructors. 

Course Information:

• The CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor Course trains instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross CPR, AED, and First Aid courses and/or modules to meet the standards and objectives of American Red Cross training.
• The Lifeguard Instructor Course trains instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Lifeguard Blended Learning, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Waterpark Skills*, Waterfront Skills*, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers, Administering Emergency Oxygen, and Blood Borne Pathogens Training courses and /or modules.
  • *To teach Waterfront Skills and Waterpark Skills, Lifeguard Instructors must possess a basic-level Waterfront Skills or Waterpark Skills certificate and orient to the corresponding content in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual and Lifeguarding DVD Set or course presentation.
• The Water Safety Instructor Course trains candidates all necessary skills to be prepared to teach water safety programs, including:
  • 1) the Basic Water Rescue course
  • 2) the six levels of the Learn to Swim program
  • 3) Parent and Child Aquatics.

Course Dates & Times:

There a currently no instructor courses happening in Fall 2025. Course registration for the Spring 2026 semester will open in October. If you'd like to be contacted about future CPR instructor courses, please email [email protected]

Please check out our wilderness first responders page for more information on this course or reach out to [email protected]!