Lifesaving

Lifesaving Courses & Programs: Learn For Life

Lifesaving programs are designed to educate participants on key WaterSmart messages that help prevent drowning. Participants learn how to recognize when someone is in trouble and how to safely perform water rescues in everyday environments. Programs range from simple survival skills to complex rescues and are designed for children (ages 8+), teens, and adults.

Step 1

Canadian Swim Patrol

Canadian Swim Patrol offers enriched training for young swimmers who are ready to go beyond learn-to-swim with introduction to water proficiency, first aid, and rescue skills. Canadian Swim Patrol is an on-ramp to lifesaving, lifesaving sport, and lifeguarding.

Step 2

Bronze Star

This Pre-Bronze Medallion training program develops problem-solving and decision-making skills as well as basic lifesaving and resuscitation skills needed to be safe and help others be safe around water.

Step 3

Bronze Medallion

Bronze Medallion teaches lifesaving principles: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn advanced techniques for challenging rescues of conscious and unconscious victims in different water depths.

STep 4

Bronze cross

Bronze Cross offers advanced training and safety supervision, honing judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness for National Lifeguard and instructor certifications.

Lifesaving Courses

Learn lifesaving skills, including first aid and water safety, in a fun, active way. Build a foundation for lifelong learning and diverse career opportunities.

Adult & Teen

2-14 Weeks
Learn to Swim and Swim for Life®!
Airway Management & Oxygen Administration

2-14 Weeks
Skills for managing airways and administering oxygen.
Aquatic Management Training

2-14 Weeks
Learn to manage a safe aquatics environment.
Aquatic Safety Auditor

2-14 Weeks
This course prepares Inspectors to become Auditors.
Aquatic Safety Inspector

2-14 Weeks
Evaluate operational aquatic safety standards.
Aquatic Supervisor

2-14 Weeks
Prepare to become a deck-level Aquatic Supervisor.
Aquatic Supervisor Instructor

2-14 Weeks
Learn to teach the Aquatic Supervisor course.
Basic Life Support Responder (BLS)

2-14 Weeks
Advanced CPR and emergency first aid training.
Bronze Cross

2-14 Weeks
Advanced lifesaving techniques, and the prerequisite for National Lifeguard.
Bronze Medallion

2-14 Weeks
Essential water rescue and lifesaving skills.
Bronze Star

2-14 Weeks
Introductory lifesaving skills for children under 13.
Canadian Swim Patrol – Ranger

2-14 Weeks
Intermediate rescue techniques and swimming skills for young swimmers.
Canadian Swim Patrol – Rookie

2-14 Weeks
Entry-level water rescue skills for young swimmers.
Canadian Swim Patrol – Star

2-14 Weeks
Advanced water rescue and training for young swimmers.
Community Officials

2-14 Weeks
Training for community-based aquatic event officiating.
CPR A/AED

2-14 Weeks
Basic CPR and AED training for adults.
CPR C/AED

2-14 Weeks
Comprehensive CPR and AED skills for all ages.
CSP – Ranger (Swimmer 8

2-14 Weeks
Advances swimmers with three levels: Rookie, Ranger, and Star, each building on skills for success in the Society’s Bronze medal awards.
CSP – Rookie (Swimmer 7)

2-14 Weeks
The Canadian Swim Patrol program is designed to advance swimmers beyond basic skills with three levels: Rookie, Ranger, and Star.
CSP – Star (Swimmer 9)

2-14 Weeks
Offers advanced training through its three levels: Rookie, Ranger, and Star, aiming to develop participants’ swim strokes and prepare them for the Society’s Bronze medal awards.
Emergency First Aid Child & Community Care

2-14 Weeks
First aid training focused on child and community care.
Emergency First Aid with CPR A/AED

2-14 Weeks
Basic emergency first aid with adult CPR.
Emergency First Aid with CPR-C/AED

2-14 Weeks
Basic first aid and CPR skills for emergencies.
Emergency Response Officials

2-14 Weeks
Training to officiate emergency response drills in aquatic settings.
Family Swim to Survive®

2-14 Weeks
Survival swimming training for families.
First Aid Instructor/Examiner

2-14 Weeks
Train to teach and assess first aid courses.
Fitness

2-14 Weeks
Ideal for individuals of any age aiming to create personalized workouts and improve fitness.
Lifesaving Instructor/Examiner

2-14 Weeks
Train to teach and assess lifesaving courses.
Lifesaving Sport Coach 1

2-14 Weeks
Introductory coaching for lifesaving sports.
Lifesaving Sport Coach 2

2-14 Weeks
Advanced coaching skills for competitive lifesaving.
Meet Manager & Referee

2-14 Weeks
Certify to manage and referee competitive swimming events.
National Lifeguard Instructor/Examiner

2-14 Weeks
Teach and examine National Lifeguard candidates
National Lifeguard Pool

2-14 Weeks
Designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by lifeguards.
National Lifeguard Pool and Waterpark Combo

2-14 Weeks
Dual certification for pool and waterpark lifeguarding.
National Lifeguard Surf

2-14 Weeks
Lifeguarding skills, principles and practices and the decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision of surf beach environments.
National Lifeguard Waterfront (24 Hour Course)

2-14 Weeks
Comprehensive training for waterfront lifeguarding.
National Lifeguard Waterfront (44 Hours)

2-14 Weeks
Designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by waterfront lifeguards.
National Lifeguard Waterpark

2-14 Weeks
Provide effective safety supervision in waterpark environments.
National Trainer

2-14 Weeks
Prepare to mentor and certify Lifesaving Society instructors.
Open Water Officials

2-14 Weeks
Training to officiate at open water swimming events.
Parent & Tot 1 – Jellyfish

2-14 Weeks
A beginner swimming class designed for infants aged 4 to 12 months and their parents.
Parent & Tot 2 – Goldfish

2-14 Weeks
A swimming class designed for toddlers aged 12 to 24 months, focusing on building confidence and foundational skills in the water.
Parent & Tot

2-14 Weeks
For lesson availability, check your municipality’s website or leisure guide listings.
Parent & Tot 3 – SeaHorse

2-14 Weeks
A swimming class designed for toddlers aged 2 to 3 years, focusing on developing independence and confidence in the water
Pool Officials

2-14 Weeks
Training to officiate at swimming competitions.
Preschool

2-14 Weeks
Learn to Swim and Swim for Life®!
Preschool 1 – Octopus

2-14 Weeks
A beginner swimming class tailored for children aged 3 to 5 years, aimed at introducing basic water skills and safety awareness.
Preschool 2 – Crab

2-14 Weeks
A swimming class designed for children aged 3 to 5 years, focusing on enhancing water skills and safety knowledge.
Preschool 3 – Orca

2-14 Weeks
A swimming class for children aged 3 to 5 years, focusing on building independence and skill in the water while emphasizing safety.
Preschool 4 – Sea Lion

2-14 Weeks
A swimming class for children aged 3 to 5 years that focuses on enhancing swimming skills and promoting water safety.
Preschool 5 – Narwhal

2-14 Weeks
The most advanced swimming class for children aged 3 to 5 years, focusing on enhancing swimming skills and water safety.
Safeguard

2-14 Weeks
Safety supervision training for those who accompany groups of young people near water
Standard First Aid with CPR-C/AED

2-14 Weeks
Comprehensive first aid and CPR certification.
Supervision Evaluation & Enhancement (SEE) Auditor

2-14 Weeks
Evaluate and enhance supervision practices in aquatic environments.
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor/Examiner Combo

2-14 Weeks
Dual certification for teaching swimming and lifesaving courses.
Swim Instructor

2-14 Weeks
Certify to teach swimming at various levels.
Swim Instructor Transfer

2-14 Weeks
Transfer swim instruction qualifications from another organization.
Swim to Survive

2-14 Weeks
Survival swimming training for families.
Swim to Survive®

2-14 Weeks
Basic survival swimming skills for safety.
Swimmer 1

2-14 Weeks
Learn to Swim and Swim for Life®!
Swimmer 1-9

2-14 Weeks
Learn to Swim and Swim for Life®!
Swimmer 2

2-14 Weeks
Aimed at children aged 5 to 12 years, building on foundational swimming skills and safety.
Swimmer 3

2-14 Weeks
Designed for children aged 5 to 12 years, focusing on advanced swimming techniques and water safety.
Swimmer 4

2-14 Weeks
Designed for advanced swimmers aged 5 to 12 years, emphasizing endurance and technique.
Swimmer 5

2-14 Weeks
An advanced class for children aged 5 to 12 years, focusing on advanced swimming techniques and endurance.
Swimmer 6

2-14 Weeks
An advanced class for children aged 5 to 12 years, focusing on refined swimming techniques and endurance.
Teen & Adult 1

2-14 Weeks
Designed for those new to swimming or looking to improve foundational skills.
Teen & Adult 2

2-14 Weeks
Builds on foundational skills with a focus on advanced techniques and endurance.
Teen & Adult 3

2-14 Weeks
Focuses on advanced skills and endurance for experienced swimmers.
Trainer

2-14 Weeks
Prepare to mentor and certify Lifesaving Society instructors.

Join the Fun: Junior Lifeguard Club Awaits!

Join the Junior Lifeguard Club! Develop swimming, lifesaving, and leadership skills in a fun, inclusive environment. Friends and siblings of all ages and abilities are welcome!

Find a Club

Support drowning prevention: donate now!

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Reach out to the British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Looking for information on how to contact the Lifesaving Society British Columbia & Yukon?
Reach us by phone, email, or send us a question through our Contact page.

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