Buy a towel / make a gift

These fancy peshtemals from Turkey are perfect for sauna, beach, pool and picnic. They’re light and airy, turning softer with every wash. Each one is beautifully embroidered with the WaterStrong logo and comes tied with a cotton bow and a little WaterStrong brochure. One towel = 1 lifejacket + support for our lifesaving, earth healing, barrier destroying programs.

Who came up with this great idea? The wonderful Jean Linn at Artistree NW in Troutdale lit up when we asked what she’d consider for her newly expanded shop in a prime spot on Main Street. Towels! She said, and Jean warmly opened her door to WaterStrong, welcoming us to the Gorge community! Following close behind came fearless Cullette at Emler Swim School in Beaverton and Cara at Driftwood Coffee on SW Vermont. You can find a few of these linens there, or order one right here and we’ll mail it to your doorstep.

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In the US, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-15, and the first leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. In Oregon, drowning rates are nearly twice the national average and almost all drownings occur in natural bodies of water. Gain national level certification in essential skills to be able to provide life saving assistance to someone in the water.

This 4-day blended learning (online / in person) training is delivered in two parts: Lifeguard Certification (days 1-3) and Waterfront Skills Certification (day 4).

The Red Cross LIFEGUARDING course provides participants the knowledge and skills to prevent recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies in both shallow water (less than 7 feet) and deeper water (7 feet or more) and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. 

The Red Cross WATERFRONT SKILLS module, integrated into the Lifeguarding course, equips lifeguards with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas like parks, resorts, and camps. 

Key Skills and Knowledge:

• Water Rescue Techniques: Lifeguards learn how to enter the water for rescues, including run-and-swim entries, and techniques for assisting individuals in distress.

• Search and Retrieval:Learn search patterns and techniques for locating missing persons in open water, potentially using equipment like nets or masks and fins.

• Equipment: Learn to use equipment specific to waterfront environments, such as rescue tubes, surfboards, or paddleboards, depending on the environment. 

• First Aid and CPR: The course reinforces first aid and CPR/AED skills, essential for responding to emergencies in and out of the water. 

• Water Safety: Learn about the specific hazards of open-water environments, such as currents, depths, and aquatic life, and how to mitigate these risks. 

• Environmental Awareness: Gain knowledge about the specific waterfront environment where they are lifeguarding, including potential hazards and safety protocols. 

Course Structure:

• This class is taught in a blended learning format and the assigned online portion(s) must be completed prior to the instructor-led session. 

• The in-person portion is delivered over two weekday evenings (Thursday / Friday) and two full weekend days (Saturday / Sunday).

• The final skills assessment includes timed response scenarios, surveillance rotations, and multiple-rescuer response scenarios.

Run of the program:

Location: 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland OR 97219

• Thursday session: 4p - 9p

• Friday session: 2p - 7p

• Saturday session: 8a - 6:00p

• Sunday session: 9a - 5:00p

Prerequisites: 

• Open to anyone 15 years and up

  For Lifeguarding

• Must be able to complete a swim- tread-swim sequence: Jump into the water submerge resurface swim 150 yards (using the front crawl breaststroke or a combination of both) maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs then swim 50 yards using the front crawl breaststroke or a combination of both. 

• Must be able to complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds by starting in the water swimming 20 yards surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 12 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 hand exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

  For Waterfront Skills

• Swim, Tread, Swim : Must be able to jump into the water, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 350 yards, then tread water using only legs or float for 2 minutes, and then swim 200 more yards.

• Timed event: Within 1 minute, 40 seconds, must be able to swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound brick, and return to the starting point holding the brick at the surface.

• Underwater swim: Must swim 5 yards, submerge, swim underwater and retrieve 3 dive rings with one breath, and continue to swim another 5 yards.

Certification:  Participants who successfully complete this course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (including deep water and non surf open water environments) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid valid for 2 years.

Trainers: Marlys Cappaert &  Dena Marshall

Equipment: Participants should wear comfortable clothing, bring a notebook, swimwear, towels, water bottle, a light meal/snacks.

Cost:

• Lifeguarding only: $325

• Waterfront Skills only: $100

• Lifeguarding + Waterfront Skills: $350

Sign up

Sign up

In the US, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-15, and the first leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. In Oregon, drowning rates are nearly twice the national average and almost all drownings occur in natural bodies of water. Gain national level certification in essential skills to be able to provide life saving assistance to someone in the water.

The Red Cross LIFEGUARDING course provides participants the knowledge and skills to prevent recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies in both shallow water (less than 7 feet) and deeper water (7 feet or more) and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over. 

The Red Cross WATERFRONT SKILLS module, integrated into the Lifeguarding course, equips lifeguards with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas like parks, resorts, and camps. 

Key Skills and Knowledge:

• Water Rescue Techniques: Lifeguards learn how to enter the water for rescues, including run-and-swim entries, and techniques for assisting individuals in distress.

• Search and Retrieval:Learn search patterns and techniques for locating missing persons in open water, potentially using equipment like nets or masks and fins.

• Equipment: Learn to use equipment specific to waterfront environments, such as rescue tubes, surfboards, or paddleboards, depending on the environment. 

• First Aid and CPR: The course reinforces first aid and CPR/AED skills, essential for responding to emergencies in and out of the water. 

• Water Safety: Learn about the specific hazards of open-water environments, such as currents, depths, and aquatic life, and how to mitigate these risks. 

• Environmental Awareness: Gain knowledge about the specific waterfront environment where they are lifeguarding, including potential hazards and safety protocols. 

Course Structure:

• This class is taught in a blended learning format and the assigned online portion(s) must be completed prior to the instructor-led session. 

• The in-person portion is delivered over two weekday evenings (Thursday / Friday) and two full weekend days (Saturday / Sunday).

• The final skills assessment includes timed response scenarios, surveillance rotations, and multiple-rescuer response scenarios.

Run of the program:

Location: 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland OR 97219

• Thursday session: 4p - 9p

• Friday session: 2p - 7p

• Saturday session: 8a - 6:00p

• Sunday session: 9a - 5:00p

Prerequisites: 

• Open to anyone 15 years and up

  For Lifeguarding

• Must be able to complete a swim- tread-swim sequence: Jump into the water submerge resurface swim 150 yards (using the front crawl breaststroke or a combination of both) maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs then swim 50 yards using the front crawl breaststroke or a combination of both. 

• Must be able to complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds by starting in the water swimming 20 yards surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 12 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 hand exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

  For Waterfront Skills

• Swim, Tread, Swim : Must be able to jump into the water, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 350 yards, then tread water using only legs or float for 2 minutes, and then swim 200 more yards.

• Timed event: Within 1 minute, 40 seconds, must be able to swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound brick, and return to the starting point holding the brick at the surface.

• Underwater swim: Must swim 5 yards, submerge, swim underwater and retrieve 3 dive rings with one breath, and continue to swim another 5 yards.

Certification:  Participants who successfully complete this course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (including deep water and non surf open water environments) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid valid for 2 years.

Trainers: Marlys Cappaert &  Dena Marshall

Equipment: Participants should wear comfortable clothing, and bring a notebook, swimwear and towels, water bottle, a light meal/snacks.

Cost:

• Lifeguarding only (days 1 - 3): $325

• Waterfront skills only (day 4): $100

• Lifeguarding + Waterfront Skills: $350

Sign up