Lifeguards and Swim Instructors are highly skilled and trained individuals. The skills you learn in Lifeguard Certification courses include communication, teamwork, responsibility and conflict resolution. The City of Niagara Falls certifies Lifeguards and Swim Instructors through the Lifesaving Society, a nationally recognized certification program.
Registration for Fall 2024 Programs are open now. Winter and Spring 2025 Program Registration will open early November.
Steps to becoming a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor
Bronze Star (optional, prerequisite: none) Cost - $135.00
Course Dates and Times - Monday 5:30 - 7:00pm - September 16th to November 18th OR
Monday 5:30 - 7:00pm - January 6th - March 3rd OR
Monday 5:30 - 7:00pm - March 17th - May 12th
Develop swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness through refining your stroke mechanics, self-rescue skills and applying fitness principles in training workouts.
2. Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid (prerequisite: 13 years old or completed Bronze Star) Cost - $155.00
Course Dates and Times - Tuesday 5:00 - 7:00pm - September 17th - November 19th OR
- Wednesday 4:30 - 7:00pm - January 8th - March 5th OR
- Tuesday 4:30 - 7:00pm - March 18th - May 20th
Challenges candidate both mentally and physically by teaching the four components of Water Rescue - Judgment, Knowledge, Skill and Fitness. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on and around the water. Register here - Bronze Medallion Registration
3. Bronze Cross (prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid) Cost - $155.00
Course Dates and Times - Wednesday 5:00 - 7:00 pm - September 18th - November 20th OR
- Tuesday 4:30 - 7:00pm - January 7th - March 4th OR
- Wednesday 4:30 - 7:00pm - March 19th - March 21st
Candidates begin to understand the transition of being a lifesaver to becoming a lifeguard as it prepares candidates for responsibilities as an assistant lifeguard. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills through teamwork, communication and learning new lifeguarding techniques.
Register here - Bronze Cross Registration4. National Lifeguard - (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid Award) - $315.00
Course Dates and Times - Fri 5:00 - 9:00pm, Sat/Sun 9:00-6:00pm - January 24/25/26 and February 7/8/9 OR
- Sunday 9:00am - 6:00pm - April 6th - May 11th
Candidates develop a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment and a mature and responsible attitude toward the role of the lifeguard. The course develops the basic lifeguarding skills, principles and decision-making processes that will assist the lifeguard to evaluate and adapt in an aquatics emergency.
National Lifeguard Recertification (prerequisite: National Lifeguard Pool) - $90.00
Course Dates and Times - Sunday, February 23rd - 9:00am - 1:00pm OR
Sunday, May 11th - 9:00am - 1:00pm
The National Lifeguard recertification course is offered to candidates who are in need of recertifying their awards to continue working as lifeguards. The exam will consist of physicals, a short review and lifeguard situations
Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor - $225.00 (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross)
Course Dates and Times - Tuesday 4:30 - 8:30pm - November 26th - December 17th OR
Tuesday 4:30 - 8:30pm - February 4th - March 4th OR
Fri 5:00 - 9:00pm, Sat/Sun 9:00 - 6:00pm - May 23rd - 25th
Candidates are prepared to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. They learn proven teaching methods, a variety of skill development drills and correction techniques. This certification allows candidates to teach the Swim for Life Program.
Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor - $225.00 (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross)
Course Dates and times -not offered this session
Candidates are prepared to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. This Certification allows candidates to teach Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Family Awards and Emergency First Aid Courses.
Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C - (prerequisite: 13 years old) - $125.00
Course Dates and Times - Saturday/Sunday 9:00am - 5:00pm - September 28th/29th OR November 23rd/24th OR January 11th/12th what OR March 29th/30th OR June 7th/8th
Candidates learn all aspects of First Aid and CPR including legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, chest injuries and medical emergencies. Includes CPR-C Certification.
Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C Recertification (prerequisite: Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid Certification dated no less than three years of the certification date) - $90.00
Course Dates and Times - Saturday, April 5th 9:00am - 5:00 pm OR Sunday, June 15th 9:00am - 5:00pm
Candidates learn all aspects of First Aid and CPR and review the skills taught from their original certification. The Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) specifies that Standard First Aid (SFA) award holders may recertify just once on a SFA recertification course. To renew a SFA certification subsequently, you are required to repeat the full course. Thereafter, you may renew by alternating recertifications and original courses. If your SFA certification is older than three years, you are required to take the full course (not a recert) again. Holders of Standard First Aid certificates must recertify only with the original certifying agency. Check your Lifesaving Society qualifications using Find a Member before you attend your Standard First Aid recertification to make sure you meet the requirement.
