Water Smart Program for Newcomers

We would love to visit your school to deliver presentations on water safety and drowning prevention to your classes as part of our Summer & Winter Water Smart Program for Newcomers.  Newcomers to Canada are at a significantly higher statistical risk of injury or death in, on and around the water.  These training sessions are designed to reduce injury and water-related tragedies. The can be done in-person or via an online platform.

The 60 – 120-minute presentation is a classroom education session on water safety, which includes a slideshow presentation with interactive elements. A certified Lifesaving Instructor or a knowledgeable individual with experience in water safety facilitates the session.

Our presentations have been reviewed against Canadian Language Benchmark standards, and the length of time required by our instructors will vary depending on the CLB level of a given class.  Our general presentation times are as follows:

N.B. – We do not provide translators.  If your students require translation services, this is something your school must arrange in advance of our presentation being confirmed.

Instructors are provided ahead of time with a copy of both the presentation and a list of vocabulary used in the presentation in order to prepare their classes. Various Lifesaving Society Water Smart publications are also provided to each group. Finally, lifejackets (PFDs) and various rescue aids are used during the presentations to facilitate student comprehension.

To book a presentation or for more information, please complete the application form found here.

Summer Presentation Details

Participants learn:

• The definition of drowning and who is at risk
• How to properly supervise children around the water
• The existence of Lifeguards and Beach Safety Officers and the role they play at pools and beaches
• The meaning of the signs posted at Provincial Park beaches
• Dangerous places and activities around the water
• Basic instruction in safe water rescues

Winter Presentation Details

Participants learn:

• The definition of drowning and who is at risk
• How to properly supervise children around ice
• Dangerous places and activities around the ice
• Basic instruction in safe ice and cold water rescues