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 Spring and Summer 2024 Programs are open now.
Steps to becoming a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor
Bronze Star (optional, prerequisite: none) Cost - $120.00
Course Dates and Times - Monday 5:30 - 7:00pm - September 16th to November 18th
Develop swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness through refining your stroke mechanics, self-rescue skills and applying fitness principles in training workouts.
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid (prerequisite: 13 years old or completed Bronze Star) Cost - $150.00
Course Dates and Times - Tuesday 5:00 - 7:00pm - September 17th - November 19th
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
Bronze Cross (prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid) Cost - $150.00
Course Dates and Times - Wednesday 5:00 - 7:00 pm - September 18th - November 20th
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 RegistrationNational Lifeguard - (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid Award) - $300.00
Course Dates and Times - Sunday 9:00am - 6:00pm - October 20th - November 17th
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) - $85.00
Course Dates and Times - Sunday, October 27th - 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
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 -Friday, November 1st 5-9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday November 2nd and 3rd 9:00am - 5:00pm
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) - $110.00
Course Dates and Times - Saturday/Sunday 9:00am - 5:00pm - September 28th/29th OR November 23rd/24th
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) - $75.00
Course Dates and Times - TBD
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.
