Menu Close

Course Descriptions

Swim For Life

As Canada’s lifeguarding expert and leader in education and training to prevent drownings and water related injuries, the Lifesaving Society is proud to offer the swim program: Swim for Life.

Based on the internationally recognized Swim to Survive standard, the Society’s Swim for Life program focuses on basic survival skills and fun from day one! It teaches the essential skills necessary to survive a sudden, unexpected fall into deep water. Swim for Life starts by developing strong foundational skills and essential personal self-rescue skills, then continues by challenging swimmers to develop effective swimming strokes.

You can spot good swimmers right away. They are the ones who know how to swim and behave safely around water. The Lifesaving Society’s Swim Program makes sure your kids are Water Smart before they get in too deep. You are never too young to start, and never too old to learn. Our Swim for Life Program offers different strokes for different folks – of all ages and abilities.

The best place to learn to swim is in the water. That is why our Swim for Life Program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart® education that uses hands-on, fun and active teaching activities, lessons that will last a lifetime.

Parent & Tot

Swim For Life - Parent & Tot BadgeSpend quality time with your child while you both have fun, learn and socialize. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play indeveloping water-positive attitudes and skills. We provide Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips on keeping your child safe in any aquatic setting. Certified instructors provide guidance and answers to your questions.

Activities and progressions are based on child development; register in the level appropriate for your child’s age: 4–12 months, 12–24 months, or 2–3 years.

Preschool

Swim For Life - Preschool BadgeGive your child a head start on learning to swim. The Lifesaving Society Preschool program develops an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before these kids get in too deep. In our basic aquatic progressions, we work to ensure 3 to 5-year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.

Preschool 1

We encourage the parent to participate until their child lets them know they can do it themselves (thank you very much). These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We will help them jump into chest deep water. They will floats and glide on their front and back and learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater.

Preschool 2

These preschoolers learn to jump into chest deep water by themselves and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They will submerge and exhale underwater. While wearing a lifejacket they will glide on their front and back.

Preschool 3

These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They will recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They will work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back.

Preschool 4

Advanced preschoolers will learn to do solo jumps into deeper water and get out by themselves. They will do sideways entries and open their eyes underwater. They will master a short (5 m) swim on their front wearing a lifejacket and gliding and kicking on their side.

Preschool 5

These youngsters get more adventuresome with a forward roll entry wearing a lifejacket and treading water for 10 sec. They will work on front and back crawl swims for 5 m, interval training and get a giggle out of whip kick.

Swimmers

Swim For Life - Swimmer BadgeThe Lifesaving Society’s 6-level Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children 5 years and older including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics. We stress lots of in-water practice to develop safe entries, deep-water support, underwater skills, and swimming strokes. These Swimmer levels also develop everlasting habits for healthy, active living. Water Smart® education is part of every level.

Swimmer 1

These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water with and without a lifejacket. They will learn to open their eyes, exhale, and hold their breath underwater. They will work on floats, glides and kicking through the water on their front and back.

Swimmer 2

These advanced beginners will jump into deeper water and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a lifejacket. They will be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10 m on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5 m).

Swimmer 3

These junior swimmers will dive; do front somersaults, and handstands in water. They will work on 15 m of front crawl, back crawl, and 10 m of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 15 m.

Swimmer 4

These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 m underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing. Their new bag of tricks includes the completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard. They’ll cap it all off with front crawl sprints over 25 m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training.

Swimmer 5

These swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They will refine their front and back crawl over 50 m swims of each, and breaststroke over 25 m. Then they will pick up the pace in 25 m sprints and two interval-training bouts: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl; and 4 x 15 m breaststroke.

Swimmer 6

These advanced swimmers will rise to the challenge of sophisticated aquatic skills including stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks like eggbeater and scissor kick. They will develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 m. They will easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke.

Adult Swimmer

Swim For Life - Adult Swimmer BadgeThe Adult Swimmer Program is for both beginners who may be just starting out and for swimmers who just want help with their strokes. Participants set their own goals to develop confidence and smooth recognizable strokes.

Fitness Swimmer

Swim For Life - Fitness Swimmer BadgeThe Fitness Swimmer Program is for swimmers of any age who want to improve their overall physical fitness in the water. Participants learn and experience safe training principles and practices including the highly effective technique of interval training. Participants set their own fitness goals.

Patrol

Lifesaving Society Rookie, Star and Ranger BadgesReady for something different from regular swim classes? Looking for a way to develop your swimming strength and efficiency? Rise to the challenge and get your Swim Patrol awards. The Canadian Swim Patrol Program is the on-ramp to lifeguarding geared towards swimmers between eight and 12-years-old. Ability to swim is the only prerequisite! These awards prepare candidates for success in the Society’s Bronze medal awards.

Rookie

Rookie Patrol features development of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke over 50 m each, timed 100 m swims, and 350 m workouts. A work-hard/play-hard approach develops swimming strength and efficiency with emphasis on personal responsibility and Water Smart® behaviour.

Ranger

Ranger Patrol features development of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke over 75 m each, a 100 m lifesaving medley, and timed 200 m swims.

Star

Star Patrol demands good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgment. Participants develop lifesaving and first aid skills; further refine front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke over 100 m each; and complete 600 m workouts and 300 m timed swims.

Bronze

The Canadian Lifesaving Program’s Bronze Medal Awards provides swimmers with a fun and exciting opportunity to learn valuable lifesaving, first aid, and Water Smart® skills and knowledge. Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross are designed for swimmers ages 8-15, but it is never too late to learn these valuable skills!

Bronze Star

Lifesaving Society Bronze Star Medal

Pre-requisite: Ability to swim sufficiently. Suggested completion of the Patrol Levels.

The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skills, and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and introduces lifesaving sport.

Bronze Medallion

Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion Medal

Pre-requisite: 13 years of age by end of course or Bronze Star – need not be current

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.

Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.

Bronze Cross

Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross MedalPre-requisite: 13 years of age by end of course or Bronze Star – need not be current

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.

Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for National Lifeguard and Lifesaving Instructor.

Distinction

Pre-requisite: Bronze Cross – need not be current

The Lifesaving Society advanced lifesaving award Distinction encourages a maturity of response and provide challenging opportunities to demonstrate exceptional lifesaving ability and leadership.

The Lifesaving Society’s Distinction award encourages a maturity of response to demanding aquatic emergencies and is designed to develop advanced water rescue skill and knowledge, and an understanding of the principles of fitness training. Distinction challenges include implications of assuming responsibility in an emergency, how to deal with two victims at once, and rescue of a non-breathing spinal-injured victim. Inherent in the name of the award, lifesavers must perform every item with distinction.

National Lifeguard - Recertification

National Lifeguard certification is current for 2 years and is recertified by completing a National Lifeguard recertification exam. The National Lifeguard recertification exam is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills and recertify your award. You are responsible for reviewing the required content and skills and preparing yourself for the exam. Your exam is based on the National Lifeguard Award curriculum. Candidates should bring Alert, a whistle, barrier devices (gloves and pocket mask) and proof of prerequisite (previous National Lifeguard).

National Lifeguard - Original

Pool

Pre-requisites

  • 15 years old (by last day)
  • Bronze Cross *need not be current*
  • Standard First Aid (Must be from one of the recognized agencies in the MB Public Health Act)​ *need not be current*
    • John Ambulance Standard First Aid Certificate
    • Red Cross Standard First Aid Certificate
    • Lifesaving Society Aquatic Emergency Care Certificate
    • Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid Certificate
    • Criti Care, Inc. Standard First Aid Certificate
    • Safety Services Manitoba Standard First Aid Certificate
    • Heart Beat Inc. Manitoba Standard First Aid Certificate

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 that will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in swimming pool environments. National Lifeguard certificates must be renewed every 2 years through the recertification process.

Please find more information on our National Lifeguard website at www.nationallifeguard.ca

Waterpark

Pre-requisites: National Lifeguard Pool – need not be current

The National Lifeguard Waterpark certification is designed to develop the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes, which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in waterpark environments. It builds on the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness developed in the NL Pool certification.

Waterfront

Pre-requisites: National Lifeguard Pool – need not be current

The National Lifeguard Waterfront certification is designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by waterfront lifeguards. The NL Waterfront course emphasizes the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes, which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in waterfront environments.

Surf

Pre-requisites: National Lifeguard Waterfront – need not be current

The National Lifeguard Surf certification is designed to develop the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices and the decision-making processes, which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision of surf beach environments. It builds on the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness developed in the NL Waterfront certification.

Instructor Courses

Swim For Life Instructor

Pre-requisites

  • 15 years of age by end of the course
  • Bronze Cross – need not be current

Swim For Life Instructors teach and evaluate the Swim For Life Program, including the Swim Patrol. In a Swim For Life Instructor course, you learn the principles of teaching and learning, how to plan effective lessons, the many evaluation methods, and much, much more.

Interested in also becoming a Lifesaving or First Aid Instructor? Look for combination courses, but be sure to check the pre-requisites for all the instructor streams. I.e. Standard First Aid for First Aid Instructor.

Recertification Process

  • Instructors must successfully complete Swim for Life® Instructor recertification that is a minimum of 5-hours in length. Or;
  • Have a current Lifesaving & First Aid and Swim for Life® Instructor/Examiner or a current Swim for Life®/Lifesaving & First Aid Trainer appointment within five years from the expiry date.

Instructors must attend revisions or update clinics as required. If instructors fail to do either of these items, they will be required to retake the entire Swim for Life® Instructor Course

Lifesaving Instructor

Pre-requisites

  • 15 years of age by end of the course
  • Bronze Cross – need not be current
  • Recommended Swim for Life Instructor

Lifesaving Instructors teach and evaluate the Canadian Lifesaving Program, including the Swim Patrol and Bronze Medal Awards. In a Lifesaving Instructor course, you learn the principles of teaching and learning, how to plan effective lessons, the many evaluation methods, and much, much more.

Interested in also becoming a Swim For Life or First Aid Instructor? Look for combination courses, but be sure to check the pre-requisites for all the instructor streams. I.e. Standard First Aid for First Aid Instructor.

Recertification Process

  • Instructors must successfully completed Lifesaving Instructor recertification that is a minimum of 8-hours in length. Or;
  • Lifesaving Trainer appointment within five years from the expiry date.

Instructors must attend revisions or update clinics as required. If instructors fail to do either of these items, they will be required to retake the entire Lifesaving Instructor Course

First Aid Instructor

Pre-requisites

  • 16 years of age by end of the course
  • Standard First Aid – need not be current

First Aid Instructors teach and evaluate the First Aid & CPR programs. In a First Aid Instructor course, you learn the principles of teaching and learning, how to plan effective lessons, the many evaluation methods, and much, much more.

Interested in also becoming a Swim For Life or Lifesaving Instructor? Look for combination courses, but be sure to check the pre-requisites for all the instructor streams. I.e. Bronze Cross for Lifesaving & Swim For Life Instructor.

Recertification Process

  • Instructors must successfully complete a Lifesaving First Aid Instructor recertification that is a minimum of 4-hours in length. Or;
  • Have a Lifesaving First Aid Trainer appointment within five years from the expiry date.

Instructors must attend revisions or update clinics as required. If instructors fail to do either of these items, they will be required to retake the entire First Aid Instructor Course

National Lifeguard Instructor

Pre-requisites

  • National Lifeguard any stream by first day of course
  • Lifesaving Instructor by first day of course
  • Lifesaving First Aid Instructor by first day of course
  • Recommended Have taught a minimum of 2 Bronze Level courses and examined one Bronze Medallion or higher by first day of course
  • AEC certification preferred
  • If from another province may need to have successfully completed an Examination Standards Clinic or have current Lifesaving Examiner Appointment by first day of course

National Lifeguard Instructors are experienced lifeguards and instructors who are ready to train the next generation of aquatic professionals. They learn the ins and outs of the National Lifeguard program and learn what it takes to run successful courses and recertification examinations.

In Manitoba, our National Lifeguard Instructor course also includes Aquatic Emergency Care Instructor certification.

Recertification Process

  • Instructors must successfully complete an NL & AEC Instructor recertification. Or;
  • Have a current NL Pool & AEC Trainer appointment within five years from the expiry date.

Instructors must attend revisions or update clinics as required. If instructors fail to do either of these items, they will be required to retake the entire NL & AEC Instructor Course.

Trainer Clinic

Pre-requisites

  • Instructor Certification & Examiner Appointment in the program stream the candidate wishes to be come a Trainer
  • Have taught a minimum of two Bronze Level courses and examined one Bronze Medallion or higher by first day of course, or as stipulated by the Program Coordinator.
  • Preferred all required teaching/examination experience completed before IT Course
    • See appropriate Trainer appointment for amount required, or exemption approval by the Program Coordinator

Trainers are experienced instructors who are ready to train others how to teach and evaluate the Lifesaving Society programs. Trainers have diverse aquatic backgrounds and bring much teaching experience to the table. Trainers also provide the Branch with feedback on how to improve programs.

First Aid & CPR

ABCD - Airway, Breathing, Circulation, DefibrilationLearn basic first aid skills today, and save a life tomorrow! Lifesaving Society First Aid and CPR training prepares both aquatic professionals and the public with the skills and confidence for real emergencies. All courses include training and practice with Automated External Defibrillators (AED).

Manitoba Workplace Safety & Health recognize our first aid programs. Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid certifications are valid for three years. Aquatic Emergency Care is valid for two years.

CPR & AED

The Lifesaving Society offers all levels of CPR training, including CPR-A, CPR-C, and CPR for Health Care Providers (HCP). In every course, candidates learn about circulatory emergencies such as heart attacks and stroke. Hands-on practice ensures candidates leave feeling comfortable to perform CPR in case of an emergency.

Recertification Process

Candidates must successfully complete a full CPR C recertification that is a minimum of 3 hours in length.

Emergency First Aid

The 7.5-hour Emergency First Aid course is for people who want a general knowledge of first aid principles and the emergency treatment of injuries. Skills include victim assessment, rescue breathing, CPR, AED use, choking, respiratory and circulatory emergencies such as heart attack and stroke, bone & joint injuries, burns, medical/legal aspects and how to deal with external bleeding. CPR-C is included.

Recertification Process

Candidate must successfully complete a full SFA & CPR C recertification that is a minimum of 7 hours in length

Standard First Aid (Intermediate)

The 14-hour Standard First Aid course 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. It includes all of the content for Emergency first Aid and the following: spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns, poisonings, and medical emergencies. CPR-C is included.

Recertification Process

Candidate must successfully complete a full SFA & CPR C recertification that is a minimum of 7 hours in length

Aquatic Emergency Care

This 18-hour course includes Standard First Aid plus an aquatic skills module. The aquatic skills include a shallow water rescue and aquatic spinal injury management. This course is ideal for lifeguards and other individuals who may need to apply first aid in an aquatic setting, such as front desk or maintenance workers in facilities with pools. CPR-C is included. 

Recertification Process

Candidates must successfully complete a full AEC Recertification that is a minimum of 8.5 hours in length