Aquatics & Safety Certifications

Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) provides awareness, knowledge, and skills to respond to common first aid emergencies. The course includes scene and primary assessment, CPR-C, AED use, breathing emergencies, circulatory emergencies and the treatment of wounds. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date 

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 Basic First Aid with CPRC & AED certifications. 6 days. *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 Basic First Aid with CPR C & AED (formerly 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.

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. Note: This course can be completed at any time during your 24 month currency period and leadership recertification form submitted with payment when your awards are expiring. Prerequisite: Current or expired instructor (any), coach, examiner (any), or examiner mentor. Required references: Candidates should bring the Award Guide(s) that relates to their level of certification, Instructor Manual and Examiner Handbook (if applicable).

Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) includes all aspects of Basic First Aid and provides additional comprehensive first aid training. Candidates demonstrate first aid care for anaphylaxis, shock, stroke, amputations, facial injuries, burn injuries, fractures and dislocations, neck or spinal column injuries, seizures, diabetic emergencies, and environmental injury and illness. Includes CPR-C with AED certification for adult, child and infant. Please note according to WSIB standards, individuals who hold this certification must recertify the award every 36 months. The recertification process requires participants to alternate between attending the full Intermediate First Aid course, followed by the recertification course every 36 months. 2-day course. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date. 

This is a one-day recertification course for participants who already hold the Intermediate First Aid with CPR C & AED certification. 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.

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. The prerequisite for participating is proof of Bronze Cross and Intermediate First Aid with CPRC & AED certifications. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date.

Candidates will be evaluated on management items based on the January 2023 updates. Lifeguarding situations (both single and team guard) and the following physical standards: endurance challenge, sprint challenge, object recovery. For more information please visit, www.lifesavingsociety.com/lifeguarding. *Registration ends 2 days prior to start date.