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
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. 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 and Emergency or Standard First Aid 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. Those looking to lifeguard at a beach or waterfront area will need their National Lifeguard-Waterfront award.
Prerequisite: 16 years of age by the exam date, Standard Frist Aid (current), Bronze Cross (need not be current) National Lifeguard- Pool Registration |
National Lifeguard-Pool Recertification |
| The National Lifeguard- Pool award requires recertification every two years to remain current. This refresher 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 National Lifeguard Recertification Registration |
Lifesaving Society Instructors |
| The Lifesaving Society Instructors award allows the candidate to teach the Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and Emergency First Aid awards. The candidate will also be able to teach the Canadian Swim Patrol program.
Prerequisite: 16 years of age by the exam date, Bronze Cross (need not be current) Lifesaving Society Instructor Registration |
If you did not receive your permanent award card in the mail, please contact the Lifesaving Society. Temporary awards are valid for 90 days.
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. There are 4 steps to gaining the certification. The candidate must complete the first 3 steps before to the classroom and pool portion.
Prerequisite: Age 15 upon completion of the course, Bronze Cross
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.
Valid for 1 year upon completion. |
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.
To set up your teaching experience, please contact the Aquatics Coordinator. |
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. |
You will receive your Red Cross Water Safety Instructor award card by e-mail from the Canadian Red Cross. Completion of the course is required to receive the certification. If you have issues logging in to your online component, please contact the Canadian Red Cross.
