Safety Management Services

The Lifesaving Society is recognized as a leader in developing standards for activities in, on and around water. Through its Safety Standards Commission, the Society sets national aquatic environment standards and clarifies existing provincial/territorial regulations.

Lifesaving Society Canada’s National Safety Standards are developed using Coroners’ recommendations, the latest evidence-based research, and reflect the aquatic industry’s best practices at the time the publication was approved or revised. The purpose of these standards is to encourage swimming pool, waterpark and waterfront owners, managers, operators and regulators to adopt these standards in order to prevent drownings in aquatic environments.

The general, swimming pool, and waterfront standards are published online through Lifesaving Society Canada.

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Supervision Evaluation & Enhancement (SEE) Audit

A Supervision Evaluation & Enhancement (SEE) Audit is a targeted evaluation of how your lifeguard staff perform their safety supervision duties. One staff member is observed at a time during a given evaluation session. As part of a performance review, you can arrange for some or all of your staff to be evaluated. SEE Audits are conducted by certified SEE Auditors.

Safety Inspection

A Safety Inspection is an inspection of the facility’s physical structure and operation, conducted by a Lifesaving Society certified inspector. The inspection process is conducted using checklists developed by the Society and which focus on the facility’s adherence to local regulations, industry best practices, and Society safety guidelines.

Comprehensive Safety Audit

A Comprehensive Safety Audit is a comprehensive review of an aquatic facility’s physical structure, general safety, operating procedures, staffing arrangements, facility management practices related to safety, and other operational practices, procedures, and operating standards that may pertain to safe operation of the facility. It includes a Facility Safety Inspection and may include SEE Audits of staff. Audits are conducted by a team of certified

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SEE Auditor Training

Pre-requisites: National Lifeguard certification with at least 100 hours of practical experience, or National Lifeguard Examiner or Instructor-Trainer appointment.

The 4-hour SEE Auditor Course trains an experienced lifeguard or supervisor to conduct Supervision Evaluation & Enhancement (SEE) Audits of aquatic facilities and staff.  The SEE Auditor is an important member of the Society’s community-based safety management team, dedicated to improving the safety of all aquatic facilities in Manitoba.

A SEE Audit is an anonymous review of a single lifeguard or instructor within a facility.  During a SEE Audit the SEE Auditor observes the staff member under review and uses an evaluation grid to rate their performance against standardized evaluation criteria.  At the conclusion of the process an evaluation report, scored out of 100, is presented to facility management for their review.  While one staff member is evaluated at a time, during a given SEE Audit a SEE Auditor might review all of the staff in a facility.

Aquatic Supervisor Training

Pre-requisites: National Lifeguard certification; Lifesaving Instructor certification; a minimum of 100 hours of practical experience as a lifeguard or aquatic instructor.

The 10-hour Aquatic Supervisor Training (AST) Course trains experienced lifeguards or instructors how to act as a front-line staff supervisor within an aquatic facility.  Aquatic Supervisor Training is the first step in a candidate’s development into a leader in the field of recreational aquatics. Topics covered during the course will include the roles and responsibilities of aquatic supervisors, accident prevention, facility management, motivation of staff, and skills for planning, organizing, and programming in aquatic venues.

Candidates who successfully complete the course have demonstrated leadership potential.  They have been introduced to the responsibilities, knowledge, attitudes and skills required to act in a supervisory capacity in an aquatic setting.  They have started to think about the role they assume as an Aquatic Supervisor, what it encompasses, and how it differs from the previous job as lifeguards and instructors.  Importantly, AST is not an end but a beginning.  Candidates are encouraged to learn more about their new role and to constantly evaluate and improve upon their supervisory skills.

Aquatic Management Training

Pre-requisites: None, but it is recommended that participants are knowledgeable about the basic operating procedures of at least one aquatic facility.

The 8-hour Aquatic Management Training (AMT) Course trains recreation professionals in how to manage an aquatic facility.  Aquatic Management Training provides the essential skills and knowledge that facility managers or others in similar positions of authority and accountability require in order to oversee the safe operation of an aquatic facility under their jurisdiction. Topics covered during the course will include the roles and responsibilities of aquatic facility managers, aquatic risk management, staff training, and the operation of a safe aquatic environment.

Candidates who successfully complete the course have been introduced to general information they need to know as a manager, supervisor, operator or owner of an aquatic facility.  They have the basic knowledge to help them know what to look for to evaluate and ensure safety in their facility, and where to find further information.  They are encouraged to learn more about their role, and to constantly evaluate and improve upon their skills.

The Society provides consultation on a wide variety of aquatic safety topics. Examples of such services include the review of facility plans and blueprints prior to construction, the review of accident data, an audit of one specific feature within a facility, and report writing. If you are interested in one of these services, please contact the Society for more details.