Ready to dive in? We offer exciting courses for future lifeguards and swim instructors, as well as anyone eager to boost their water safety knowledge and lifesaving skills.
Review the courses required to become a certified swim instructor or lifeguard.
The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skills, 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 lifesaving sport.
Prerequisite: None. Swim Patrol (Swimmer 8 & 9) experience is recommended.
The Lifesaving Society's Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, 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.
Prerequisite: Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification.
Fitness requirements: Endurance challenge - swim 400 meters in 12 minutes or less.
The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding 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.
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Lifesaving Society Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid from a training agency approved by the Province of Ontario.
Fitness requirements: Endurance challenge - swim 400 meters in 11 minutes or less. Object recovery and transport - 15 meter approach, recover a 4.5 kg (10 lb.) object and travel 5 meters within 60 seconds.
Includes CPR-C certification. Standard First Aid provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid. Standard First Aid incorporates Emergency First Aid and is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding of first aid including: legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, chest injuries, and medical emergencies.
Prerequisite: None.
National Lifeguard is designed to 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 in evaluating and adapting to different aquatic facilities and emergencies.
Prerequisite: Minimum 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, and Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid from a training agency approved by the Province of Ontario.
Fitness requirements: Endurance challenge - 400 meters in 10 minutes or less. Object recovery and transport - 15 meter approach, recover a 9 kg (20 lb.) object and travel 5 meters within 90 seconds.
The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques. Current Swim Instructors teach and certify candidates in all levels of the Swim for Life and Canadian Swim Patrol programs.
Prerequisite: Minimum 15 years of age, Bronze Cross.
Once you're registered, get ready for your course! Manuals and certification fees are all included in your program price. Attendance is 100 percent mandatory to pass.
The new Aquatics Leadership Bundle is a simple, affordable way to access all three key certification courses at a single discounted price, so you can become a certified lifeguard or swim instructor in Kingston.
You have up to three years to complete all three courses. The courses included are:
If you need to withdraw from a course, you can use your bundle to retake it later. However, if you don't use the bundle for all three courses, you won't receive a refund for the unused courses.
You can save more than $300 with the bundle!
| Course | Resident Fee | Non-resident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid | $221.24 | $254.87 |
| Bronze Cross & Standard First Aid | $227.43 | $261.95 |
| National Lifeguard | $381.42 | $438.94 |
| Total Cost | $830.09 | $955.76 |
| Aquatics Leadership Bundle | $500 | $575.22 |
| Total Savings | $330.09 | $380.54 |
Dive into an exciting opportunity - learn more about applying to become a lifeguard or swim instructor with the City!
Still working on getting your certifications? Gain real-world experience and build your confidence by volunteering with our swimming lessons for hands-on training.
Contact Us
City of Kingston
City Hall
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
Canada
contactus@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
