Aquatic leadership

Bronze Star
Develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill, and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and provides a fun introduction to the lifesaving sport.

Bronze Medallion & EFA CPR-B
Challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.

Bronze Cross & SFA CPR-C
Begins the transition from lifesaving to life-guarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.

Assistant Swim Instructor
Through classroom learning and in-water practice, the Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor course prepares candidates to help instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes. Candidates are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching while they master basic progressions. The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized.

Swim & Lifesaving / EFA Instructor
The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques.

• • The Lifesaving Instructor course prepares instructors to teach:

• • • 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

National Lifeguard
National Lifeguard certification is Canada’s professional lifeguard standard. National Lifeguard training develops a solid understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgement, and a mature and responsible attitude towards the lifeguard’s role. National Lifeguard training emphasizes prevention and effective rescue response in emergencies including first aid treatment. Candidates develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.

Question: Do I have to complete all the swim levels before I can sign up for Bronze Medallion?

Answer: No, you don’t have to finish all the swim levels before signing up for Bronze Medallion. If you’re close to turning 13, you should focus on getting fit, building endurance, and learning basic first aid. These are important things to think about instead of finishing all the swim levels.

Question: What are optional courses?

Answer: Optional courses are classes you can choose to take, but you don’t have to. One example is the Assistant Instructor award. While it’s not required, it’s highly recommended because it teaches important skills about learning and teaching, along with basic swim lessons. Taking this course can help you in the certification process and when you’re volunteering for swim lessons.

Question: Should I take National Lifeguard before the Swim & Lifesaving/EFA Instructor course? In what order should I take them?

Answer: You don’t have to take the National Lifeguard course before the Swim & Lifesaving/EFA Instructor course. You can choose the order based on your schedule when the courses are available, and how you want to plan your certifications.

Question: Do my prerequisites need to be up to date?

Answer: No, your prerequisites don’t need to be current for the Lifesaving Society courses. Read the course description on activemississauga.ca before you register so you’re prepared. However, your certifications must be current if you want to apply for a job.

Question: If my Bronze Cross certification was expired, do I have to retake the whole course?

Answer: No, you don’t have to take the entire course again. Just like Bronze Medallion and National Lifeguard, Bronze Cross expires after 24 months. You have two options:

1. You can register for a recertification course, which usually takes about 4-6 hours. Check activemississauga.ca for more details.
2. You can sign up for the next level since some prerequisites don’t need to be current. Visit activemississauga.ca to confirm which prerequisites apply.

There are opportunities for volunteers in many of our recreation programs and classes. You can help with our learn to swim program!  You require a current Emergency First Aid CPR B, Bronze Medallion and be a minimum of 13 years of age.

The first time you apply for a position, you’ll be asked to make a profile which you can use in future to apply for other opportunities.

Visit the Volunteer at the City page for more information.