Not everyone is ready to take a lifeguarding course, including strong athletes. If you are not on a swim team or do not regularly swim laps in a pool without stopping, you may need extra time preparing for this job.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. When I go swimming, do I swim laps or do I typically splash around in standing-depth water with friends? Most people who say they can swim simply mean they feel comfortable splashing around in the water. Lifeguards need to be able to do much more than this. Lifeguards must be able to comfortably swim 100-550 yards without stopping or standing, carry/swim someone to a safe area, and swim long distances underwater.
2. Do I typically swim laps with my face in the water? Swimmers who typically swim with their head above the water will be challenged to complete the lifeguarding course prerequisites. You must be able to swim with your face and eyes in the water to enroll in a lifeguarding course.
3. Do I turn my head to the side to breathe? Candidates will need to demonstrate a comfort level in the water with rhythmic breathing. Typically to the side exhaling while face is underwater and inhaling while face is out of the water. 
4. Do I know how to do the breaststroke? Rescue skills will require the use of a breaststroke or freestyle. Persons who only know how to flutter kick (move their legs straight up and down) will likely have difficulty entering the course or completing course requirements.
5. Am I comfortable submerging seven to twelve feet underwater? Lifeguards will be required to perform a surface dive to a depth of 7 - 12 feet. If you struggle to submerge to the bottom of a deep pool, you may not be ready for a lifeguarding class.
6. Can I swim 15 yards underwater at a depth of up to 12 feet deep? Candidates for waterfront areas must demonstrate competency swimming underwater at depth. Lifeguards at waterfront areas are responsible for conducting underwater searches for missing swimmers.

If you answered YES to all questions above, then you may be ready for a lifeguarding job with us!  Lifeguard applications for the 2026 Summer Season will be available in February, 2026.  Please check back later! 
View the 2025 lifeguard job posting.  

If you answered NO to any of these questions, then we can help you develop your skills!  We will be conducting a lifeguarding prerequisites clinic at Southern Connecticut State University in the spring.  To sign up for a clinic date please complete this form. 

Lifeguarding Program Prerequisite Skills

• Swim 350 yards then maintain position at the surface of the water treading for 2 minutes without hands, then swim an additional 200 yards. Acceptable swim strokes are breaststroke or freestyle, face must be in the water, and swim goggles permitted. 
• Swim 15 yards underwater in a single breath at depths up to 12 feet, picking up objects from the bottom. Surface and repeat.
• Lift a backboard that has a 165 pound mannequin strapped to it and move the distance of 25 yards. 
• Applicants for Hammonasset, Rocky Neck, and Silver Sands may be required to swim 550 yards in 10 minutes or less and complete a 1 mile run in 10 minutes or less. 

If you have any additional questions, please email Deep.Lifeguards@CT.Gov

Lifeguard applications for the 2026 Summer Season will be available in February, 2026.  Please check back later!
View the 2025 lifeguard job posting.  

Lifeguard - Lifeguards positively interact with the public, assisting them in the safe enjoyment of the state park beach. Lifeguards monitor activities in swimming areas to prevent accidents and assist swimmers; rescue swimmers in danger of drowning; administer first aid and/or CPR as required; participate in physical and rescue skills training; perform general tasks as assigned; and perform related duties as required.

Lifeguard Supervisor - Lifeguard Supervisors assist the Park and Recreation Supervisor in managing the operation of the State Park Lifeguard Squad in their unit. The lead Lifeguard Supervisor's title is Beach 1 and they are the main contact for the Park and Recreation Supervisor. Lifeguard Supervisor duties include running the daily lifeguard operations, including coordinating lifeguard coverage shifts, leading daily physical trainings, setting up and breaking down the beach, properly caring for and maintaining equipment, communicating issues to the Park Management, and conducting basic lifeguarding duties and implementing secondary duties as assigned.

Beach Director - Beach Directors assist the Water Safety Coordinator in conducting all preseason and in-service trainings and must have valid waterfront/open water lifeguard, basic life support, and advanced first aid instructor certifications. Beach directors also conduct public education outreach including Junior lifeguarding, Water Safety skills demos and presentations. The Beach Directors may also be trained in Critical Incident Stress Management and function as members of the ICISF trained peer support team. The Beach Directors will fill basic lifeguard and lifeguard supervisor coverage gaps to keep beaches staffed and must maintain certifications in both American Red Cross waterfront lifeguarding and United States Lifesaving Association open water lifeguarding, BLS, and advanced first aid or EMT.

Lifeguarding Program Prerequisite Skills:

• Swim 350 yards then maintain position at the surface of the water treading for 2 minutes without hands, then swim an additional 200 yards. Acceptable swim strokes are breaststroke or freestyle, face must be in the water, and swim goggles permitted. 
• Swim 15 yards underwater in a single breath at depths up to 12 feet, picking up objects from the bottom. Surface and repeat.
• Lift a backboard that has a 165 pound mannequin strapped to it and move the distance of 25 yards. 
• Applicants for Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, and Silver Sands may be required to swim 550 yards in 10 minutes or less and complete a 1 mile run in 10 minutes or less. 

If you have any additional questions, please email Deep.Lifeguards@CT.Gov