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.
Summer 2025 Program Registration will be open starting the week of April 14th.
Steps to becoming a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor
Bronze Star (optional, prerequisite: none) Cost - $135.00
Course Dates and Times - July 14-18th 10am - 1pm @ Prince Charles Pool
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 - July 7th - 11th - 9am-1pm OR July 21st - 25th - 9am-1pm OR July 28th - August 1st 9am - 1pm
- Courses will run at Prince Charles Pool.
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 - July 7th - 11th - 9am-1pm OR July 21st - 25th - 9am-1pm OR July 28th - August 1st 9am - 1pm
- Courses will run at Prince Charles Pool.
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 Registration
4. National Lifeguard - (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid Award) - $315.00
Course Dates and Times - July 14th - 18th - 9am - 5pm OR August 11th - 15th - 9am - 5pm
- Courses will run at Prince Charles Pool
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 - Friday, August 14th - 9am - 1pm @ Prince Charles Pool
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 - Friday, April 25th 5pm - 9pm, Saturday, April 26th 9am - 5pm and Sunday, April 27th 9am - 5pm OR
Tuesday, July 22nd - Thursday, July 24th 12pm - 7pm OR
Thursday 4:30 - 8:30pm - Sept 18th - Oct 16th
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 - Thursday, June 5th and 12th 5pm - 9pm AND Saturday, June 14th 9am - 5pm
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 - June 7th/8th OR July 12th/13th OR Sept 13th/14th
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 - 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.
