Lifesaving, Lifeguarding & Instructing
Rookie Patrol
Prerequisites: Ability to swim 200m
Practices develop fitness levels to meet a timed 100 m swim and 350 m workout. Water proficiency skills include: swims with clothes, ready position, foot first and head first surface dives. Rescue Breathing and initiating EMS are included as first aid skills. Victim recognition and throwing assists are other key elements of the program.
Ranger Patrol
Prerequisites: Ability to swim 200m
Ranger Patrol enhances capability in the water, including compact jumps from 1m heights, lifesaving eggbeater kick and increased fitness levels to meet a 200 m timed swim. Rescue skills involve an increased skill level in ABC first aid basics, victim recognition and non-contact rescues.
Star Patrol
Prerequisites: Ability to swim 200m
An excellent preparation for the Bronze Star award, Star Patrol demands good physical conditioning for timed 300 m swims and 600 m workouts. It develops lifesaving judgment with whistle signals, airway and bleeding first aid priorities with a 20 m tow with towing aid.
Bronze Star
Prerequisites: 11 years or older
Bronze Star is a pre-Bronze Medallion training standard and excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. In Bronze Star participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills as individuals and in partners. They learn CPR and develop Water Smart confidence and the lifesaving skills needed to be their own personal lifeguard. Includes CPR A.
Bronze Medallion
Prerequisites: 13 years or older or Bronze Star
Bronze Medallion teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education — judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk. Lifesavers learn to respond to increasingly complex resuscitation situations involving CPR, conscious and unconscious victims with an obstructed airway. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a timed swim.
Bronze Cross
Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion
Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Candidates learn the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding, the principles of emergency procedures and teamwork and how to rescue spinal-injured and pulseless victims.
Assistant Water Safety Instructor (AWSI)
Prerequisites: 15 years or older
AWSI introduces candidates to the foundation of instructional skills by focusing on the theoretical knowledge that supports learning and teaching. This course focuson teaching methods, learning styles, physical principles, progressions, communication, safety supervision and feedback. Candidates are also provided the opportunity to demonstrate and be evaluated on their understanding of skills and knowledge, through an eight hour practical teaching experience and hands-on assignments.
Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
Prerequisites: 16 years or older & AWSI
WSI prepares candidates to instruct the Red Cross Swim programs. This course focuses on how to effectively teach and evaluate performance criteria, evaluates instructional emergency response skills, and emphasizes stroke development, drills, and corrective strategies. Instructors apply their teaching skills and knowledge through teaching experience.
Standard First Aid (SFA)
Prerequisites: 12 years or older
SFA provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. This course is for those who want an in-depth understanding of first aid such as: medical/legal aspects, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns, and medical emergencies. Includes CPR-C certification.
National Lifeguard Service (NLS)
Prerequisites: 16 years or older, Bronze Cross, SFA (within 1 year)
The primary role of the NLS lifeguard is the prevention of emergency situations and the timely and effective resolution of emergencies. The NLS certification prepares lifeguards to fulfill this role as professional facilitators of safe, enjoyable aquatics. The NLS program develops the basic lifeguarding skills, principles, and decision-making process to help lifeguards evaluate and adapt to different aquatic facilities and emergencies.
Lifesaving Instructor (LSI)
Prerequisites: 16 years or older & Bronze Cross
Lifesaving Instructors are trained to teach and evalutate the Canadian Swim Patrol and Bronze Medal programs. Candidates are trained in aspects of learning as well as various approaches required to teach water rescue, first aid, and related aquatic skills in the Canadian Lifesaving Program. Candidates also learn about long-range and short-term planning, class management, safety supervision and the principles of evaluation.