Aquatics & Safety Certifications

The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Cross 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. Varied lessons of in-water practice, classroom sessions, and fun scenario play will be the field for candidates to learn CPR, first aid, water rescues, teamwork, communication, and endurance, including a timed 400m swim. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs. Skill evaluation will be on-going; therefore, 100% participation is required. 8 days. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date. 

This is an intensive 4-day program where the Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Cross 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. Varied lessons of in-water practice, classroom sessions, and fun scenario play will be the field for candidates to learn CPR, first aid, water rescues, teamwork, communication, and endurance, including a timed 400m swim. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs. Skill evaluation will be on-going; therefore, 100% participation is required. The prerequisite for participating is proof of Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid with CPR C certifications. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date. 

The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Medallion 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. This program includes instruction and evaluation for Emergency First Aid with CPR B certification. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross. Skill evaluation will be on-going; therefore, 100% participation is required. 8 classes. Prerequisite - Min 13 years of age or completion of Bronze Star. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date. 

The Examiner course is the first step in the three-step process to be certified as an Examiner for the Society, and it prepares candidates to successfully apprentice as an Examiner on the exam of their choice. The Examiner course builds on the evaluation experience that candidates have attained in instructor-evaluated awards and content. Fee Includes: Examiner Workbook. Examiners are experienced instructors who undergo specific training in examination methodology and standards prior to certification. Examiner candidates must have teaching experience: they must have taught or co-taught at least one course in the stream(s) in which they are seeking certification as an examiner. For information on which examiners evaluate which awards, refer to the individual certification descriptions below. Prerequisite to certification: appropriate Instructor certification and experience teaching; successful completion of the Examiner course; and successful apprenticeship on one exam in the stream in which they are seeking examiner certification. Specifically: Bronze Examiner: experienced Lifesaving Instructor; successful completion of the Examiner course; and successfully apprenticed with an experienced Examiner or Examiner Mentor on one Bronze Medallion or one Bronze Cross exam. First Aid Examiner: experienced First Aid Instructor; successful completion of the Examiner course; and successfully apprenticed with an experienced Examiner or Examiner Mentor on one Standard First Aid exam. National Lifeguard Examiner: experienced National Lifeguard Instructor, successful completion of the Examiner course, and successfully apprenticed with an experienced Examiner or Examiner Mentor on one National Lifeguard exam. 

Program Dates: TBD

High Five Training Workshops: Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD) The Principles of Healthy Child Development is a 4-hour training workshop that equips front-line leaders, or anyone interested in working with children ages 4-12, with the tools to enhance the quality of recreation programs. Front-line leaders will learn how to create a child-centered program ensuring each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive needs are met. Perfect for camp counsellors, after-school staff, swim instructors, and coaches. After completion, you will also receive free online training from HIGH FIVE titled Healthy Minds for Healthy Children. Registration ends 1 week prior to start date. The Recreation Membership is NOT a pre-requisite for Certification courses. HST applied at checkout.

This new in-person recertification course focuses on the competencies learned in the instructor, coach and examiner courses and provides a refresher to those competencies. Course content will be updated every two years. This course provides the 4 points required to complete the leadership recertification for instructors, coaches, examiners and examiner mentors. This course does not automatically recertify a candidate. Following successful course completion candidates must complete the recertification process to be recertified. 

This 40 hour, National Lifeguard - Pool certification (updated January 2023) is designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by lifeguards. The National Lifeguard course emphasizes the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes that will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in swimming pool environments. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date. 

Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR C certification course covers a broad spectrum of first aid treatments for medical emergencies and injuries. This course will also cover situation management, use of bystanders, and legal implications. Participants will also perform CPR and choking procedures for Infant, Child and Adult victims. Please note according to WSIB standards, individuals who hold this certification must recertify the award every three years. The recertification process requires participants to alternate between attending the full Standard First Aid course, followed by the recertification course every two years. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date. 

This is a one-day recertification course for participants who already hold the Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid certification. Individuals who hold a first aid certification through another agency (St. John, Red Cross, Can Ski Patrol) must register for the FULL two-day Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid course. Certification cannot be expired beyond three years from original certification date to attend a recertification course. This recertification course covers a broad spectrum of first aid treatments for medical emergencies and injuries. This course will also cover situation management, use of bystanders, and legal implications. Participants will also perform CPR and choking procedures for Infant, Child and Adult. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date.