Certification Courses

Bronze Medallion 13+ yrs
Prerequisite: 13 years or Bronze Star
The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Medallion Award teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education, judgement, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries and defense and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a timed swim.

Bronze Cross 13+ yrs
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion
The Bronze Cross award is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safety supervision. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs, including National Lifeguard® (NL) and Instructor certifications. Includes a 600m timed swim and CPR-C.

Standard First Aid 15+ yrs
Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid is the most comprehensive first aid program for the general public and a pre-requisite for National Lifeguard. Learn how to assess and treat airway, breathing and circulatory emergencies; and management of medical, musculoskeletal and environmental emergencies. Certification includes CPR-C/AED. 
    
National Lifeguard 15+ yrs
Prerequisite: Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid
The National Lifeguard® (NL) award teaches the prevention of emergency situations and, where this fails, the timely and effective resolution of emergencies. The NL award is designed to prepare lifeguards to fulfill this role as professional facilitators of safe, enjoyable aquatics. NL training teaches the principles and develops basic lifeguarding skills and decision making processes that will help lifeguards evaluate and adapt to aquatic facilities and emergencies.

Swim Instructor (SI): The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course trains candidates on the Competency Level 1 knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to teach the Society’s Swim for Life® and Canadian Swim Patrol programs.  Prerequisites: Bronze Cross &15 years old.

Lifesaving Instructor (LSI): The Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor course trains candidates on the Competency Level 1 and 2 knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to teach and evaluate the Society’s Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross programs.  Combined with Bronze Cross, LSI is worth 3 credits for Grade 11.  Prerequisites: Bronze Cross & 15 years old.

Swim Instructor to Lifesaving Instructor Clinic (SI to LSI): The Lifesaving Society designed this 8-hour clinic to train Swim Instructors to teach and evaluate the Society’s Bronze Medal award programs. Candidates demonstrate Competency Level 1 and 2 knowledge, skills and attitudes through in-person activities and peer-teaching.  Prerequisites: Swim Instructor (current).

We offer the following certification and recertification courses.  If you have been watching our course offerings and one hasn't been offered recently, please contact aquaticleader@vernon.ca to inquire about a waitlist.

• CPR "C"
• CPR "C" Recert
• Emergency First Aid
• National Lifeguard Recert
• Standard First Aid Recert
• Swim Instructor Recert
• Lifesaving Instructor Recert

Minimum age and pre-requisites for the following courses include:

• Bronze Star - 8 years of age and recommended completion of Swimmer 6
• Bronze Medallion - 13 years of age by last day of the course
• Bronze Cross - Completion of Bronze Medallion
• National Lifeguard - Completion of Bronze Cross, a current Standard First Aid from an approved organization and 15 years of age by the last day of the course
• Swim Instructor - Bronze Cross  and 15 years of age by the last day of the course
• Lifesaving Instructor - Bronze Cross and 15 years of age by the last day of the course

We offer two options for First Aid courses that are both WorkSafeBC Occupational First Aid Level 1 (OFA Level-1) equivalent. 

Option 1: Emergency First Aid with CPR-C (EFA)
Lifesaving Society Emergency First Aid is a WorkSafeBC Occupational Level 1 equivalent program designed to give candidates the knowledge and confidence to respond to the most common and life-threatening first aid emergencies in workplaces, such as airway, breathing and circulation issues. Certification includes CPR-C /AED.  This course is typically 8 hours of instruction scheduled in one day.

Option 2 : Standard First Aid with CPR-C (SFA)
Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid is a WorkSafeBC Occupational Level 1 equivalent program that covers all aspects of first aid. Candidates receive comprehensive training to use in their workplaces or homes. Standard First Aid is a prerequisite for National Lifeguard (NL). Certification includes CPR-C /AED.  This course is typically 16 hours of instruction scheduled over two days.