ISLA Certification

Our Philosophy

The ISLA Lifeguard Certification Program was developed to raise international lifeguarding standards and training programs to a minimum professional standard. ISLA trainings lay a foundation which allows the lifeguard employer or organization to conduct in-house training of lifeguards.

Organizations are required to build their lifeguard training programs above and beyond this high international standard.

ISLA provides an

International Standard

for open water training that is recognized in 20 countries and growing in six continents.

ISLA's Medical Director is Dr. Justin Sempsrott the founder of

Lifeguards Without Borders

who contributes to the development of the ISLA course principles.

ISLA Instructors are highly trained and experienced lifeguards, doctors and emergency responders

from countries all over the globe

and bring their own point of view to ISLA operations.

The International Surf Lifesaving Association standardized courses have been developed and run in over

20 countries (6 Continents)

for nearly 10 years.

The ISLA Lifeguard Certification Program was developed to raise international standards and lifeguard certification programs to a minimum professional standard. The ISLA Academy lays a foundation which allows the lifeguard employer or organization to conduct in-house training of lifeguards. Organizations are required to build their lifeguard training programs above and beyond our high international standard.

BASIC OPEN WATER LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION

Academy Length: 3 days / 30 hours.

Academy Description: The ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard Certification Academy is designed for people with little or no background in open water lifeguarding. It provides an introductory exposure to both the theoretical and practical components of open water lifeguard subjects such as lifeguard operations, aquatic injury prevention, and basic open water rescue. This course does not include a certification in CPR or First Aid.

Academy Objectives: At the end of this academy, the cadet should have the ability to:

Prevent an accident based on knowledge of physical and social conditions.
Recognize dangerous aquatic conditions and hazardous areas.
Identify a victim in distress.
Discern appropriate responses to a variety of different situations taking into account personal ability and scene safety.
Effectively execute a basic rescue in open water.

Academy Prerequisites: Any student wishing to participate in the ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard Academy must meet the following requirements:

16 Years of age or older (with minors consent form for those under 18)
A valid CPR & First-Aid certification
Ability to swim 500 meters (550 yards) without stopping under ten minutes
Ability to tread water for five minutes
Ability to dive to a depth of three meters (twelve feet)

NOTE: This Academy is extremely physically demanding, and requires participants to be in excellent shape. The completion of several long distance swims and runs are required for certification.

Click on the following Links to see:

Sample ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard Course Syllabus

Sample ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard Course Schedule

1 – DAY LIFEGUARD WORKSHOPS

Course Length: 1 day / 8-10 Hours

Course Description: Our professional development workshops are tailored programs designed to fit the needs of your specific agency/organization. Our workshops are intended to give in-depth knowledge and skills beyond those taught in our Advanced Open Water Lifeguard Certification Course.

Course Prerequisite: ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard certificate or equivalent. ISLA Advanced Open Water Lifeguard certification is preferred. Available ISLA workshops:

Basic Rescue SCUBA Diver Technician
Basic Swift-water Rescue Technician
Basic Kiteboarder Rescue Technician
Basic Rescue Water Craft (Jet ski) Operator
Basic Rescue Boat Operator

INTERMEDIATE OPEN WATER LIFEGUARD

Academy Length: 3 days / 30 hours

Academy Description: This Academy explores all the subjects in our Basic Open Water Lifeguard Course more in depth, along with the inclusion of First Aid and CPR certification.

Academy Prerequisite: ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard certificate or equivalent.

ADVANCED OPEN WATER LIFEGUARD

Academy Length: 3 days / 30 hours

Academy Description: This course explores all the subjects in our Intermediate Open Water Lifeguard Course more in depth, along with the inclusion of Advanced First Aid and CPR certification. This academy meets or exceeds national lifeguards standards in the United States.

Academy Prerequisite: ISLA Intermediate Open Water Lifeguard certificate or equivalent.

FIRST AID | CPR | AED COURSES

Red Cross First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) training meets the needs of professional first responders, healthcare providers, and the general public. We offer both professional rescuer and non-professional rescuer training options.

CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers – Course length: 6 hrs
Emergency Medical Response – Course length: 51 hours
Bloodborne Pathogens Training – Course length: 2 hours
Administering Emergency Oxygen – Course length: 2 hours

ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS

All of the instructors are volunteers who are not paid for their time working with ISLA. Our ISLA Instructors are comprised of experienced professionals from around the globe that work as a certified lifeguards in their respective country. ISLA Instructors have a diverse background various professional agencies, International Red Cross First Aid/CPR Instructors, EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses, Water Safety Instructors, Rescue Water Craft and Rescue Boat Operators, Rescue Divers, Jr. Lifeguard Instructors, and educators. Each Instructor team is different, but every ISLA training is required to include one ISLA Instructor II, and a minimum of two ISLA Instructor I’s.

INSTRUCTOR 1 (Assistant)

Level Description: Certified Open Water Lifeguard who assists in running an ISLA Academy. Main duties include guarding physical events, instructing practical training on the beach, assisting during lecture, daily admin duties, and equipment maintenance.
Requirements:

1 year Open Water Lifeguard experience
ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard certification or equivalent
Basic First Aid / CPR certification
Accepted ISLA humanitarian operation application

INSTRUCTOR 2

Level Description: Marine Safety Officer who has worked at least five ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard Academies as an Instructor I. Instructor II’s have the authority to run and certify an ISLA Basic Open Water Lifeguard Course.
Requirements:

5 years Open Water Lifeguard experience
ISLA Advanced Open Water Lifeguard certification or equivalent
EMT or Professional First Aid Instructor from a recognized agency
Passing of the ISLA Instructor II Written Test and Interview

INSTRUCTOR 3

Level Description: Marine Safety Officer who has worked a minimum of ten ISLA Academies as an Instructor II. Instructor IIIs are charged with designing and updating the theoretical and practical framework of ISLA courses, shaping ISLA pedagogic philosophy, and ultimately steering the direction of ISLA training and education.
Requirements:

5+ years Open Water Lifeguard experience
ISLA Advanced Open Water Lifeguard certification or equivalent
EMT or Professional First Aid Instructor from a recognized agency
Passing of the ISLA Instructor III Written Test and Interview

IMPORTANT: Our ISLA Open Water Lifeguard Certification Academies are announced individually throughout the year via our email newsletter. Course tuition varies by location. Enrollment is limited, so it is best to apply as soon as the course registration opens. Signing up for the ISLA newsletter is the only way to ensure you don’t get left behind!

Some of ISLA's Past Courses

For the past decade, ISLA has been provided an International Standard course recognized in over 20 countries in 6 continents. Check out some of the operations here and Request ISLA Services below.

Request ISLA Services

Are you ready to develop your lifesaving department and save lives in your region? If so, then tell us about it! Request ISLA Services below by filling out the form on our Request ISLA Services Page.