Certifications and Training
American Red Cross Certification Courses at the Rec Center
Certification Training courses are offered to students, faculty, staff, and community members and are conducted by American Red Cross certified instructors. Participants must be at least 15 years old.
Lifeguard Recertification Hybrid Course
The Lifeguard review course is a recertification course for individuals who are looking to renew their current or recently expired lifeguard certification. To take this course, participants must hold a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard certification or certification that has expired in the last month. There is prerequisite test, a brief review of skills, and then testing of water and land skills. Participants need to bring a copy of their certification in order to prove their previous certification.
This course renews the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification for two years. Pocket mask is NOT included. Review is recommended prior to class attendance as review courses do not cover all material outlined in the manual.
Classes are scheduled on a need basis. Contact aquatics@bgsu.edu to express interest in a course or call 419.372.7482.
Course Offerings:
- Sunday, Apr 12 - 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Cost: BGSU Student or Rec Member: $129 | Non-Member $149
CPR/AED with First Aid for Professional Rescuers Hybrid Course
This is a hybrid learning course featuring online 2 simulation learnings, which combines web-based learning with an in-class skills session to help prepare you to respond to real-life emergencies. The online portions may take around 3-4 hours to complete and must be completed before the in-class session. Participants must bring a printed out certificate of completion of both online portions in order to be admitted to the in-class session of the class.
Course Offerings:
- Saturday, Apr 11 - 8:00 AM-1:00 PM
Location: Rec Center Youth and Family Classroom
Cost: BGSU Student or Rec Center Member: $99 | Non-Member $119
Advanced registration required. Must attend one class for certification. Registration and payment must be completed by the Monday before the class begins.
Lifeguard Hybrid Course
The American Red Cross hybrid learning lifeguarding course prepares you to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies in and around the water. The eLearning portion of this class is scenario based and introduces you to the skills that yare practiced and mastered during the in-person skill sessions. Allow approximately 7 hours to complete the eLearning portion, including the final eLearning exam. All participants must complete the eLearning portion and present proof of completion to enter the in-person skill sessions at the Student Recreation Center.
Course Prerequisites: 150 yard swim, 2 minute water tread, 50 yard swim, and brick test. (Goggles may be used for the yard swim, but not for the brick test)
The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is valid for 2 years. Pocket mask is included with the course. Women must wear a one-piece suit, and men must wear draw string swim trunks.
Course Offerings:
- Saturday-Sunday, Apr 11-12 - 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Both days)
Location: Rec Center Youth and Family Classroom/Pools
Cost: BGSU Student or Rec Member: $200 | Non-Member $240
Must attend both days for certification.
Recreation and Wellness reserves the right to cancel any class that does not have the minimum number of participants or for other circumstances. If a class is cancelled, participants are notified one day prior if current contact information has been properly provided.
Registration Instructions for Certification Courses
Register in-person at the Student Recreation Center Welcome Desk.
Register on a mobile device through the BGSU RecWell app for iPhone or android or online using the MyRec portal: https://myrec.bgsu.edu/
- BGSU Students, Faculty & Staff: When logging in, select ‘BGSU MyRec Login’ and use your BGSU username and password.
- Community Members:
- Select 'Community Members' and login using your assigned username and password.
- If you have not yet been assigned a password, please complete the MyRec Account Request Form. Allow two business days for a personal response with account set up instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students, faculty, staff, and community members can participate. All participants must be at least 15 years old.
Hybrid courses combine online learning with an in-person skills session. The online portions must be completed before attending the in-person session.
Lifeguard Recertification: Must hold a current or recently expired American Red Cross Lifeguard certification (expired within the last 30 days). Bring your certification to the first day of class for verification.
- Lifeguard Hybrid (Full Certification): Must complete a 150-yard swim, 2-minute tread, 50-yard swim, and brick retrieval test. These are verified by the instructor during the in-person skill session. The online portion must also be completed beforehand, and a certificate of completion presented during the in-person skill session.
- CPR/AED with First Aid: No prerequisites.
To be prepared for your training session, bring the following items:
Proof of current or previous certification (for recertification courses)
eLearning completion certificate (for hybrid courses, if applicable)
Appropriate swimwear (one-piece for women, drawstring trunks for men)
Pocket mask (if not included with the course)
View the chart below to see certification costs:
| Certification | BGSU Student / Member Price | Non-Member Price |
| Lifeguard Recertification | $129 | $149 |
| CPR/AED with First Aid | $99 | $119 |
| Lifeguard Hybrid | $200 | $240 |
If you are registered for a training course but cannot attend, contact Aquatics at aquatics@bgsu.edu or 419.372.2000 to cancel or reschedule. Refunds or credits may be subject to the course’s registration and cancellation policy.
If the facility is closed at the beginning of your class, please enter through the east entrance off of Lot X.
Courses are taught by American Red Cross–certified instructors, use BGSU’s premier swimming and classroom facilities, and provide hands-on training with flexible hybrid learning options.
RecWell offers the following certifications:
Lifeguard Certification
Lifeguard Recertification
CPR/AED with First Aid for Professional Rescuers
There are two ways to register:
In-person: Student Recreation Center Welcome Desk
Online: MyRec portal or the BGSU RecWell app on iPhone or Android
Students, Faculty, & Staff: Use your BGSU login
Community Members: Use your MyRec credentials. If you don’t have an account, complete the MyRec Account Request Form.
If you are under 18, please contact Riley Welker at wwelker@bgsu.edu so we can update the waiver required for your registration. The default waiver is for participants 18+, so those under 18 will need a dependent waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Classes take place at the Student Recreation Center. In-person skill sessions use the Youth & Family Classroom, located on Lower Level I between the locker rooms and Andrew’s Pool. Water skills are conducted in Cooper Pool.
Once you’re enrolled in a CPR/AED class, Red Cross will automatically send you an email with instructions to access the online content. If you missed the email, you can log in using these steps:
Log into the Red Cross Learning Center at: RedCrossLearningCenter.org
Your Red Cross Learning Center Username is your email address.Enter your password. If you don’t have one or don’t remember it, click the “Forgot Password” link to set up a new password
Each certification is valid for two years from the date it is issued.
Yes. Recreation and Wellness may cancel courses that do not meet minimum enrollment of 4 participants or for other unforeseen circumstances. Participants are notified in advance if proper contact information has been provided.
Please contact Riley Welker at wwelker@bgsu.edu or 419-372-7482.
Updated: 04/09/2026 03:37PM