Training & Certifications
Overview
At Berkshire South, we offer Red Cross training & certification courses for members and guests in CPR/First Aid, Lifeguarding and Babysitting in an effort to make and keep our community safer!
First Aid and CPR Courses
Thursday, January 22nd, 6 – 8:30pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 20
Thursday, February 19th, 6 – 8:30pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, February 12
Thursday, March 19th, 6 – 8:30pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 12
Thursday, April 30th, 6 – 8:30pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, April 23
Instructors: Darren Blaney, Beignyreih Person, and/or Larry Re
Red Cross Adult & Pediatric CPR, First Aid, & AED Certification
Ages 13+
Learn valuable skills that could save a life. Our informative, hands-on courses include training in First Aid and CPR/AED for adults, children, and infants. Red Cross certifications are valid for two years. This is a blended learning class with a 2-3 hour online component. About a week before the in-person skills session, the instructor will contact you with information about completing the online learning portion of the course before the in-person training.
Members $90
Guests $110
*Price includes materials fee
*Not refundable for failure to complete the blended learning work or in-person skills session.
Group CPR Class Rates Available:
Do you have a group of 10 or more people interested in CPR training? We are happy to offer a 10% savings per person and can schedule it as a private group class. Please contact Darren at d.blaney@berkshiresouth.org  to schedule a private class to accommodate your organization’s needs.
Babysitter Training
Monday, April 20, 12:00 – 5:00 pm
**Optional Pediatric CPR Certification on Friday, April 24, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Updated Red Cross Babysitter Certification Course
Dates Coming Soon!
Ages 11+
Instructor: Beignyreih Person
Start your own babysitting business! Enhance your childcare skills and become a Red Cross certified babysitter with this comprehensive two day course. Gain knowledge and skills needed to safely and responsibly care for children and infants. Develop leadership skills, learn how to set up a babysitting business, engage in age-appropriate activities, handle behavior, make sound decisions, manage diaper-changing, mealtimes and bedtimes and respond effectively in an emergency.
Add a day to also earn your Infant and Child CPR and First Aid certification.
Members: $100 or $130 with Pediatric CPR class
Guests: $120 or $150 with Pediatric CPR class
Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Courses
Red Cross Lifeguard Certification with CPR, First Aid, & AED
TWO-STEPS TO REGISTER! Register online & Email d.blaney@berkshiresouth.org to set up your swim test and American Red Cross Registration.
Upcoming Class Dates: TBD
June 5th – 7th
Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 28th
Friday, 3 – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
June 12th – 14th
Registration Deadline: Thursday, June 4th
Friday, 3 – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
FREE FOR APPROVED BSRCC EMPLOYEES
Non-BSRCC Employee Costs:
Members: $325*
Guests: $375*
*Not refundable for the failure of swimming tests and written exams.
Ages 15+
Instructor: Darren Blaney
Berkshire South offers a blended certification program combining online coursework with onsite aquatics time.
Please reach out to Darren Blaney at d.blaney@berkshiresouth.org with any questions
Participants will earn certifications in Lifeguard Training, CPR, First Aid, and AED.*
Requirements:
- Complete 7-8 hours of online work
- Complete precertification requirements -150 yard non-stop swim using freestyle (front crawl) and/or breaststroke
- 2 minute water tread using legs only, plus 50 yards additional swim
- Swim 20 yds, retrieve a 10-lb dive weight from 7 feet deep, surface, and swim 20 yds on back with the weight held on the chest, using legs only, and exit the pool without using the ladder or stairs within 100 seconds.
- Complete in-person skill sessions and pass written exams
Registration Deadlines: Â So students have time to receive the online link and complete the blended learning portion
LIFEGUARD TRAINING EMPLOYMENT REIMBURSEMENT OPPORTUNITY: New lifeguards will receive a 50% reimbursement toward the successful completion of the Lifeguard class after 50 hours worked, and a 100% reimbursement after 100 hours worked during a calendar year.
Lifeguard Employee Training Benefits:
Existing BSRCC Employees In Good Standing:
Current employees and returning lifeguards who have worked for BSRCC in previous seasons are eligible for free lifeguard training to maintain or renew their Red Cross Certification, provided they commit to working 100 hours within the calendar year from the date of completing the course.
Â
New BSRCC Employees:
Newly hired lifeguards will receive full reimbursement of their in-house BSRCC lifeguarding course fees if they work 100 hours within their first year of employment (following course completion date), and remain in good standing at their one-year work anniversary.
Red Cross Lifeguard Certification with CPR, First Aid, AED and Waterfront Skills
TWO-STEPS TO REGISTER! Register online & Email d.blaney@berkshiresouth.org to set up your swim test and American Red Cross Registration.
Next Class – TBD
June 5th – 8th
Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 28th
Friday, 3 – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Monday, 12 – 6pm (for Waterfront)
June 12th – 15th
Registration Deadline: Thursday, June 4th
Friday, 3 – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Monday, 12 – 6pm (for Waterfront)
FREE FOR APPROVED BSRCC EMPLOYEES
Non-BSRCC Employee Costs:
Members: $350*
Guests:Â $400*
*Not refundable for the failure of swimming tests and written exams.
Ages 15+
Instructor: Darren Blaney
Additional LGI Lifeguard Instructors: Christine Ocheltree, Beignyreih Person, Laurence Re, and/or Molly Ziegler
Berkshire South offers a blended certification program combining online coursework with onsite aquatics time. Participants will earn certifications in Lifeguard Training, CPR, First Aid, and AED, plus Waterfront Skills.
Waterfront Certification Requirements:
- Complete 7-8 hours of online work
- 350 yard non-stop swim freestyle (front crawl) and/or breaststroke
- 2 minute water tread using legs only, plus 200 yards additional swim
- Swim 20 yds, retrieve a 10-lb dive weight from 7 feet deep, surface, and swim 20 yds on back with the weight held on the chest, using legs only, and exit the pool without using the ladder or stairs within 100 seconds
- Underwater swim test
- Complete in-person skill sessions and pass written exams
Registration Deadline: So students have time to receive the online link and complete the blended learning portion
Online requirement: 7-8 hours of online work, link provided at time of registration
Maximum number of participants: 10 total
Please contact d.blaney@berkshiresouth.org with questions.
Lifeguard Employee Training benefits:
Existing BSRCC Employees In Good Standing:
Current employees and returning lifeguards who have worked for BSRCC in previous seasons are eligible for free lifeguard training to maintain or renew their Red Cross Certification, provided they commit to working 100 hours within a calendar year from the date of completing the course.
Â
New BSRCC Employees:
Newly hired lifeguards will receive full reimbursement of their in-house BSRCC lifeguarding course fees if they work 100 hours within their first year of employment (following course completion date), and remain in good standing at their one-year work anniversary.
Lifeguard Recertification Class
Friday-Sunday, May 29-31
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 22nd
Friday, May 29: 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 30: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, May 31: 2:00Â 5:30 pm (for Waterfront Candidates only)
FREE FOR APPROVED BSRCC EMPLOYEES
Non-BSRCC Employee Costs:
Members: $160, $185 with Waterfront
Guests: $200, $225 with Waterfront
Ages 15+
Instructors: Darren Blaney, Christine Ocheltree, and/or Larry Re
Renew your Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate for an additional 2 years! To take this course, you must have a current, valid Red Cross Lifeguard certification (or certification that expired within 30 days of the final day of class) to register. Add a day for Waterfront Recertification!
Please email a copy of your Red Cross Certification to Darren Blaney at d.blaney@berkshiresouth.org,
Course Requirements:
Participate in all of the following to earn certification in Lifeguarding (including Deep Water), CPR/AED, and First Aid*
Requirements:
- Complete pre-course swim test
- Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence: 150 yard non-stop swim [6 pool lengths swim on the front (freestyle or breaststroke, or a combination of the two)], 2 minute water tread using legs only, plus 50 yards additional swim
- Swim 20 yds, retrieve a 10-lb dive weight from 7 feet deep, surface, and swim 20 yds on back with the weight held on the chest, using legs only, and exit the pool without using the ladder or stairs within 100 seconds
- Complete 4-6 hours of online work (online coursework link provided one week before in-person work begins)
- Complete in-person skill sessions and pass written exams
Lifeguard Employee Training Benefits:
Existing Employees In Good Standing:
Current employees and returning lifeguards who have worked for BSRCC in previous seasons are eligible for free lifeguard training to maintain or renew their Red Cross Certification, provided they commit to working 100 hours within the calendar year from the date of completing the course.
Â
New Employees:
Newly hired lifeguards will receive full reimbursement of their in-house BSRCC lifeguarding course fees if they work 100 hours within their first year of employment (following course completion date), and remain in good standing at their one-year work anniversary.
Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) Certification
May 15 – 17
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 1
Friday: 3:30 – 8:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Laura Harner
Members: $350
Guests: $400
Ages 17+
Interested in advancing your career in Aquatics? This course prepares you to teach Red Cross Lifeguard classes in the new 2024 program. LGI Review Option for those who are already certified LGIs. For inquiries about how to register, contact Darren Blaney at d.blaney@berkshiresouth.org.
Requirements: current and valid Red Cross Lifeguard Certification.