Lifeguard Courses

How to Become a Lifeguard

Lifeguarding and swim instructing can be one of the most valuable and rewarding training experiences of your life. Lifeguards/swim instructors prevent incidents from occurring, perform rescues and first aid when accidents do happen, and teach/promote water safety to community members of all ages, especially children. If you enjoy helping others, making a difference in people’s lives and being around the water, then lifeguarding/swim instructing may be for you! Below is a list of the training requirements to become a certified lifeguard and swim instructor in British Columbia.

COURSE PREREQUISITES SCHOOL CREDITS

1. Bronze Medallion Ability to swim 13 years old OR Bronze Star

2. Bronze Cross

3. Water Safety Instructor * Bronze Medallion *2 Credits for Grade 11

SwimKids Level 10 Strokes Bronze Cross OR Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR-C 15 Years *2 Credits for Grade 11

4. Standard First Aid and CPR-C 12 Years Old

5. National Lifeguard

7. Lifesaving Instructor SFA/CPR-C Within 1 Year Bronze Cross 16 Years Old *2 Credits for Grade 12

Bronze Cross 16 Years Old *1 Credit for Grade 11

*The Red Cross combined AWSI and WSI in 2017. Details are in the Red Cross Fact Sheet located in this guide. They will be switching to an online and in-class format, combined with work experience in the water. If you possess a current AWSI, you may complete your teaching certification by enrolling in the new WSI format.

Bronze Medallion

Bronze Medallion teaches and understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgement, knowledge, skills and fitness. Rescuers learn advanced lifesaving techniques for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious and unconscious victims in varying water depths. Participants develop stroke efficiency and endurance in times swims (500m). Includes CPR-A. 100% attendance and participation is mandatory to complete this course. Course 8033: April 18, 19, 25, 26 Day: Saturdays and Sundays Time: 3 - 8 p.m. Age: 13 years old and up Fee: $220 Location: Meadow Park Sports Centre Justa Jeskova

Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advance lifesaving training and an introduction to safety supervision. Candidates develop proficiency at performing patient assessments, managing aquatic spinal injuries and preventing the loss of life in a variety of aquatic emergencies, while developing stroke endurance(includes a 600m timed swim) and fitness training skills. Bronze Cross includes CPR-C certification and is one of the prerequisite awards for all advanced lifeguarding (National Lifeguard) and leadership (Lifesaving Instructor) training programs. Bronze Cross is also worth 2 Grade 11 High School Credits. 100% attendance and participation is mandatory to complete this course.

Course 8034: Day: Time: Age: Fee: Location: May 2, 3, 9 and 10 Saturdays and Sundays 3 - 8 p.m. 13 years old and up $165 Meadow Park Sports Centre

Aquatic Leadership Programs

National Lifeguard Pool Course

The National Lifeguard Pool certification 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 which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in swimming pool environments. Prerequisites: Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid. Proof of Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid must be shown on the first day of the National Lifeguard Course. The BC/Yukon Branch will only recognize SFA certifications from the Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canadian Ski Patrol. Course 8023: July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 Day: Sunday - Tuesday Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Age: 16 years and up Fee: $318 Location: Meadow Park Sports Centre Pool

First Aid App

Free to download Easy to use Essential to have

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First Aid App

Free to download Easy to use Essential to have

Get It Today!