Lifesaving and Lifeguarding

Policies - Certifications and Workshops

Certification courses are designed for 100 per cent active participation! This includes in-water participation.  Unsuccessful participants must re-take the entire course; candidates will not be provided the opportunity to be re-examined.  Requests for refunds must be made 4 days prior to the start of a course or full fee will apply.

Please note that certification courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

Programs Offered

Please note that all classes listed below may be combined with U of T student programs.

Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid

This is the first required Lifesaving Society course in the path to becoming a lifeguard and swim instructor. Specific program content can be found on the Lifesaving Society websiteEmergency First Aid curriculum items are also taught and evaluated.

Prerequisites: Participants must be 13 years old or 12 years old with a Bronze Star certification (need not be current).

Manuals: Canadian Lifesaving Manual and the Bronze Medallion workbook required. Available for purchase at the main office.

Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced aquatic training programs, including the National Lifeguard Award and instructor certifications. Specific program content can be found on the Lifesaving Society website.

Prerequisites: Participants must have successfully passed Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid (need not be current).

Manuals: Canadian Lifesaving Manual required. Available for purchase at the main office.

National Lifeguard Award

National lifeguard training builds on the fundamental skills, knowledge and values taught in the earlier lifesaving awards. National Lifeguard Award is the standard lifeguarding certificate in Canada. Specific program content can be found on the Lifesaving Society website.

Prerequisites: Participants must be 15 years of age by the exam date, have successfully passed Bronze Cross and hold a Standard First Aid and CPR-C (need not be current).

Manual: Alert: Lifeguarding in Action required (included in course fee) - can be picked up at the main office    


Program Information

ONLINE REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION

Fees do not include the price of required manual(s) or HST in course fee; manuals may be picked up at the Main Office prior to the start of the course.

Frequently Asked Questions - Certifications and Workshops

What do I need to know/bring?

  • Remember to bring pen, paper and the required manual to the first class.
  • Manuals can be picked up at the Main Office.
  • Bathing suit and extra towels.
  • All certification courses are designed for 100 per cent active participation! This includes in-water participation.
  • Please bring proof of all course prerequisites for the first day. All prerequisites must be met before the start of the course, and will be checked by the instructor.

What skills will be taught?
Certification courses teach and evaluate skills as set by the Ontario Lifesaving Society for Bronze awards and NL-Pool and the Canadian Red Cross for Babysitting.

First aid courses may be either Lifesaving Society courses or Canadian Red Cross courses.

All certification courses are pass/fail. Most classes include an exam date with an external examiner. We reserve the right to recommend that students not attempt the exam if they have not attended/participated fully or are not prepared for the exam for any reason.

Other Information / Locations:
An e-mail will be sent to all participants prior to the course with additional information on course location, and required materials. Please ensure the Main Contact email address on the child's Athletic Centre account is up-to-date as.

These courses consist of both classroom time, and pool time. Change room and washroom location information may be found here.