Leadership/Lifeguard Programs

The Bronze Star program, spanning 10 hours, is designed to advance swimming proficiency, lifesaving skills, and personal fitness, serving as an excellent foundation for the Bronze Medallion and introducing participants to lifesaving sport. No prerequisites are required, making it accessible to all interested candidates, although experience in Swim Patrol is recommended for optimal success. The exam policy for this program specifies the need for a swimming area that meets certain dimensions, including a length of at least 15 meters, a width of 5 meters, and a depth of 1.5 meters, with 3 meters being ideal. This setup ensures a suitable environment for both learning and assessment, fostering a supportive and effective training experience.

The Bronze Medallion course, extending over 15 hours, is a comprehensive training program focusing on judgment, knowledge, skills, and fitness for water rescue. Participants learn vital assessment and decision-making skills for aquatic safety, paving the way for assistant lifeguard training through the Bronze Cross. Eligibility requires being 13 years or older, or having a Bronze Star certification. The program mandates specific pool dimensions for exams and allows a minimum of one candidate per assessment.

The Bronze Cross course, spanning 20 hours, marks the transition towards professional lifeguarding, emphasizing advanced lifesaving techniques, surveillance skills, and the significance of effective team collaboration in aquatic safety. It is a requisite for pursuing further advanced training in National Lifeguard and leadership programs. Eligibility for this course requires a Bronze Medallion and either Lifesaving Society's Emergency or Standard First Aid certifications, or equivalent. The course necessitates an aquatic environment that meets specified dimensions for the practical examination and supports a minimum of one candidate per evaluation session.

The Standard First Aid course, inclusive of CPR-C certification, provides in-depth training on a broad spectrum of first aid topics and CPR, designed for individuals seeking comprehensive knowledge for emergency preparedness in any setting. The program is open to everyone, including non-aquatic staff and the general public, with no prerequisites required. Instruction is provided by qualified First Aid Instructors, and certification, valid for 36 months, is issued by authorized First Aid Examiners, culminating in the issuance of a certification card to successful candidates.

The National Lifeguard program is a critical certification for lifeguards nationwide, endorsed by Ontario for public pool lifeguarding and as the supervisory standard for waterfront activities under specific regulations. Available in four variants—Pool, Waterpark, Waterfront, and Surf—each option has distinct curriculum and standards. Eligibility requires candidates to be 15 or older, with prior completion of the Bronze Cross and a valid Standard First Aid certificate from a recognized agency. It's crucial for candidates using a non-Lifesaving Society first aid certificate to submit a copy for prerequisite verification. Affiliates must ensure candidates are aware of these requirements during the promotion and registration processes.