Aquatic Leadership Courses

Bronze Medallion

Bronze Medallion (minimum 15 hrs): challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.

Prerequisite: Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (need not be current).

Bronze Cross 

Bronze Cross (minimum 20 hrs): begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion

Junior Lifeguard Club

The Junior Lifeguard Club (JLC) offers serious fun for kids 8 years and up who can swim at least 25m and tread water for 2 minutes. The Jr. Lifeguard Club provides an action-packed challenge for kids who love the water but who want more than "lessons."

The Jr. Lifeguard Club is for quick learners, those between levels or programs who thrive in an energetic learning environment.

The Junior Lifeguard Club is an alternative to traditional test-sheet-based aquatic programs. The Club stresses fun and aquatic skill development based on personal-best achievement. Building on skills they already have, Junior Lifeguard Club members work to develop and improve swimming and other aquatic skills with emphasis on: Swimming skills, Lifesaving skills, Lifesaving knowledge, Leadership & teamwork, Community education, Competition, Personal fitness.

National Lifeguard - Pool

National Lifeguard certification is Canada’s professional lifeguard standard. National Lifeguard training develops a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment, and a mature and responsible attitude towards the lifeguard’s role. National Lifeguard training emphasizes prevention and effective rescue response in emergencies including first aid treatment. Candidates develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Fitness requirements include a timed object recovery, 50 m sprint challenge, 50 m rescue drill and 400 m endurance challenge.

• Pre-Requisite: Minimum 16 years of age, Bronze Cross Award (need not be current), Standard First Aid/CPR-C Award or Aquatic Emergency Care/CPR-C Award
  • **Only the following four organizations' Standard First Aid/CPR C awards will be recognized as a prerequisite:
    • Lifesaving Society
    • Canadian Red Cross
    • Canadian Ski Patrol, or 
    • St.John Ambulance
• Course Length: Minimum 40 hours
• Candidate Books: Canadian Lifesaving Manual and Alert: Lifeguarding in Action Manual
• Candidate Attendance: 100% attendance during course and exam is required in order to ensure the candidate has met the required learning outcomes and to provide the best chance of successful certification
• Evaluation: Practical Exam plus continuous evaluation during course. This is a pass or fail course. No re-exam option. Full course must be taken if a fail is the final result.
• Expiry Date: Exactly 2 years from the date of certification (i.e. from date on certification card)

This combined course of the Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor is a leadership course that provides candidates with theory, knowledge and skill and practice to teach and certify in the following Lifesaving Society programs and awards:

Swim for Life & Lifesaving Instructor 

Swim for Life Program: Parent & Tot, Preschool, Swimmer, Adult Swimmer and Fitness Swimmer

Canadian Swim Patrol Program: Rookie Patrol, Ranger Patrol, Star Patrol 

CPR A & C with AED 

Canadian Lifesaving Program: Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Distinction 

• Pre-requisites: 16 years old and Bronze Cross (need not be current)
• Course Length: 40-44 hours
• Evaluation: This is a pass or fail award
• Required Candidate Books: Canadian Lifesaving Manual, Swim for Life/Lifesaving Instructor Binder
• Award Expiry: 24 months from date of certification
• Re-certification: All Swim for Life/Lifesaving Instructors re-certify through the credit system. Please log into the Instructor-Log In to download more information and the applicable paperwork.