Get Certified For Summer!

NESS Foundation
March 21st, 2018

March has been nothing short of a blur of blizzards. Every week thus far has been punctuated by some form of meteorological event. As we brace for what could be our fourth nor’easter on this second day of “spring,” our day dreams of summer seem somehow both agonizingly far away yet surprisingly close at hand. One reason the boating season feels so close is the endless bustle of spring boating and summer camp preparation here at NESS. Among other things, we are filling courses, hiring summer educators, and setting up our floating docks. As we continue our preparations for boating season, we are looking for ways that we can help our community members get ready for another season out on the water.

During April break (4/16-4/21) we are offering a variety of classes geared to help boaters and job seekers get ready for summer. We have a special week organized for anyone in the area who may need certification, re-certification, or training for their upcoming summer job.

We will be offering:

American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers on 4/20 and 4/21

Learn how to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies to help victims of any age. Get hands-on practice of lifesaving skills in this 5-hour course taught by an American Red Cross. Students must be at least 12 years old to participate. Students who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate in American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers with First Aid valid for two years.

American Red Cross Lifeguarding on 4/16-4/19

Learn how to effectively prevent and respond to water emergencies with the American Red Cross Lifeguard training. Our courses are designed to arm you with the skills and knowledge to prepare you for a variety of emergencies in and around the water. Quick response times and effective preparation are vital to be a lifeguard. Identify and understand crucial elements that help prevent drownings and injuries. Prerequisites: must be 15 years old before the course begins, must have own transportation, must be able to swim 300 yards without stopping, and must be physically able to make rescues in the water. Participants will become certified in American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/AED for the professional rescuer with First Aid.

Class will begin at NESS in Stonington. Every day at 11:30 we will travel to UConn at Avery Point for the swim portion of class. Students must have their own transportation to get to Avery Point and back.

American Red Cross Lifeguarding Waterfront Skills on 4/18

Get additional lifeguard training and experience with this hands-on skills based course. The purpose of the waterfront skills module is to teach lifeguards the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in nonsurf, open water areas. Prerequisites: must hold a current American Red Cross Lifeguard certification, must have own transportation, must be able to swim 550 yards without stopping, and must be physically able to make rescues in the water. Participants will become certified in American Red Cross Waterfront Skills.

American Red Cross Lifeguarding Review on 4/19

Review and recertify your American Red Cross Lifeguard training. Practice skills and knowledge to prepare you for a variety of emergencies in and around the water. Prerequisites: must hold current American Red Cross Lifeguard certification, must be 15 years old before the course begins, must have their own transportation, must be able to swim 300 yards without stopping, and must be physically able to make rescues in the water. Participants recertifiy in American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR/AED for the professional rescuer with First Aid.

Class will begin at NESS in Stonington. At 11:30 we will travel to UConn Avery Point for the swim portion of class. Students must have their own transportation to get to Avery Point and back.

US Sailing Level 1 Powerboating Practice Course on 4/16, 4/17, 4/18, and 4/19

Are you thinking about getting your US Sailing Level 1 instructor certification? If you are, then this class is for you! Designed by our Level 1 Instructor Trainers, this class will help you get the powerboat confidence you need before attending a US Sailing Level 1 course. We will cover the topics that you will need to know for your powerboating practical both in the classroom and out on-the-water. While this class does not guarantee you will pass the powerboating section of your Level 1 course, we will direct you on what to practice and focus on before attending your Level 1 course.

Safe Powerboat Handling on 4/16-4/17 and 4/18-4/19

This 16-hour hands-on course is for anyone who needs their state boating license, wants to learn how to safely operate a small powerboat, and wants to improve their boat handling skills. The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved this course as both a State and US Powerboating Certification course. Our USCG Captains with thousands of hours of experience will cover classroom topics such as Boating Safety, Aids to Navigation and Rules of the Road. On the water drills will focus on close quarters boat handling such as docking, pivot turns, and backing up. Over half the course is spent on the water so don’t just sit in a classroom to get your boating license- let us get you on the water!

State of CT Safe Boating/Personal Watercraft Certification on 4/20

This 8 hour course satisfies the CT DEEP classroom requirement for students to receive their Safe Boating Certificate and/or their Certificate of Personal Watercraft. Although entirely classroom based, the participants will get a chance to handle and work with all required boating safety equipment. Our USCG captains have thousands of hours of experience on the water and make this content packed course interesting and applicable to the real boating world. The US Coast Guard, US Powerboating and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved this course. This one day course can lead to a US Powerboating Safe Boating Certificate if the student elects to return to NESS for a day of boat instruction on the water.