Lifeguard Examination Information

For all areas except Long Island Region

Tests for practical Lifesaving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation skills
Evaluated on a pass/fail basis
May take as many tests as necessary at sanctioned test sites
Test sites located around the state
Each candidate must bring their own pocket mask to the exam

Test Events: goggles are allowed for the 50 and 200 yard swims

200 Yard Swim in 4 minutes or less using crawl or breast strokes

20 Yard underwater swim, surface dive and recovery simulating an underwater search and recovery for a victim. Swim underwater for 20 yards, surface, swim away from wall and surface dive to recover a 10-pound brick. Return the brick to shallow water by swimming with it on your hip. Not timed.

50 yard sprint in 40 seconds or less using a crawl or breast stroke

Rescue tube tow for 20 yards towing an examiner on a rescue tube.

CPR performance for two minutes with adequate one person skills using a pocket mask

Bring your own pocket mask further exam information may be obtained by contacting the regional representative of your choice:

Allegany Region
Gary Quattrone
(716) 354-9101 ext.222
Central Region
Bonnie Ward
(315) 492-1756
Finger Lakes Region
Kathie Notarfonzo
(607) 387-7041 ext.111

Genesee Region
Mary Jane Brooks
(585) 493-3604
New York City Region
Darren Green
(212) 2694-3664 or (212) 2694-3665
Niagara Region
Sandy Wilkolaski
(716) 278-1785
Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Dave Krueger
(845) 786-2701 ext.269
Saratoga/Capital District Region
Pat Forward
(518) 584-2000 ext.120
Taconic Region
Liz O'Loughlin
(914) 245-4434 or (914) 245-7727
Thousand Islands Region
Angie Seymor
(315) 482-2593

To Register for DEC Exams *
DEC Central Office
(518) 457-2500
* DEC exam only accepts 5 Parks candidates per exam