Lifeguard at an indoor pool

The Municipality of Port Hope is an affiliate of the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society. To become a lifeguard and swim instructor, a candidate will need courses provided by both organizations.

Lifesaving Society courses

The Lifesaving Society provides training programs to prevent drowning and water-related injury. Candidates will learn how to rescue victims and themselves in a safe environment.

Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid
The Bronze Medallion award teaches an understanding of water rescue education. The candidates will learn carries, victim types, and low-risk rescues.

The Emergency First Aid award teaches and understanding of emergency treatment of injuries. The candidates will learn about victim assessment, CPR, choking and more.

Prerequisite: Bronze Star or 13 years of age by the exam date.

Dates for Bronze Medallion include:

  • February 6 to April 3, 2022: Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • April 24 to June 12, 2022: Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • July 4 to 7, 2022: Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • August 8 to 11, 2022: Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid Registration

Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid
The Bronze Cross award builds on the knowledge from Bronze Medallion. The candidates will experience more challenging rescues and skills.

The Standard First Aid award builds on the knowledge from Emergency First Aid. The candidates will learn about bone and joint injuries, spinal injuries and more.

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion

Dates for Bronze Cross include:

  • November 21, 2021 to January 30, 2022: Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • April 10 to June 19, 2022: Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • July 11 to 15, 2022: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • August 15 to 19, 2022: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid Registration

National Lifeguard - Pool

The National Lifeguard - Pool award builds on the knowledge from Bronze Cross. The candidates will learn how to supervise a pool and rescue those in distress. Only those who hold a National Lifeguard - Pool award may lifeguard in a pool setting.

Prerequisite: 15 years of age, Standard Frist Aid (current), Bronze Cross (need not be current)

Dates for National Lifeguard include:

  • May 6 to 8 and 13 to 15, 2022
  • July 22 to 24 and August 5 to 7, 2022

Times for National Lifeguard include:

  • Fridays 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Sundays 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This course runs over 2 weekends.

National Lifeguard - Pool Registration

National Lifeguard - Pool Recertification

The National Lifeguard - Pool award

requires recertification every two years to remain current. This recertification course will review important components of the National Lifeguard - Pool award. Only candidates with a current award may lifeguard in a pool setting.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard - Pool

Dates for National Lifeguard include:

  • May 15, 2022: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • August 7, 2022: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
National Lifeguard Recertification Registration

Lifesaving Instructor

The Lifesaving Instructor award prepares instructors to teach the Lifesaving Society's:

  • Canadian Swim Patrol Program
  • Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross
  • Lifesaving Fitness, Distinction
  • Basic and Emergency First Aid, and CPR-A, CPR-B and CPR-C

Only candidates with a current award may teach and certify candidates.

Prerequisite: Bronze Cross and 15 years of age by the end of the course

Dates: June 3 to 5, 2022

Lifesaving Instructor Registration

Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course

The Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course teaches the candidates how to teach swimming lessons to all ages. Successful completion of all four components are required to receive your certification.

Prerequisite: Bronze Cross and age 15 upon completion of the course

Date: coming soon
Water Safety Instructor Registration

Step 1: Skills Evaluation
The skills evaluation checks each candidate’s strokes and skills to ensure that they meet a Level 10 swim level.

Step 2: Online Component
The online component teaches how to use the Red Cross resources to teach swimming lessons. The candidate will complete assignments in their workbook during the online component.

Step 3: Teaching Experience
The teaching experience allows the candidate to practice what they learned in the online course. To complete the course, candidates must complete at least 8 hours of teaching experience. The Canadian Red Cross encourages candidates to complete there teaching over the entire session.

Step 4: Classroom and Pool Component
The classroom and pool component reviews all concepts learned in the online component and the teaching experience. It will allow the candidate to explore different ideas and use more resources.