To receive their certification, candidates must verify their identity as per the Lifesaving Society’s Verification of Identity Policy.

Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED (replaces Standard First Aid)

Effective June 22, 2026, Standard First Aid has been retired and replaced with Intermediate First Aid With CPR-C and AED.

Moving forward, Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C / AED will be the required pre-requisite for National Lifeguard, and the WSIB approved workplace first aid certification.

Recertification courses are no longer available for Standard First Aid. All award holders must take the full Intermediate First Aid CPR-C / AED course.

Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED includes comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. This includes understanding the legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat and cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns and medical emergencies.

You will receive a temporary card upon successful completion of the course, followed by a permanent card by mail that is valid for 3 years.

Bronze Star

Prerequisite: Recommended Swimmer 9 (Star Patrol)

Excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills individually and in partners. Candidates learn CPR and develop the lifesaving skills needed to stay safe in the water. Includes a timed 400m swim. Full attendance every day of the program is recommended for successful completion of this course.

Learn more about the Bronze Star curriculum here

Bronze Medallion / Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED 

Prerequisite: 13 yrs of age by end of class or Bronze Star.

Teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue: judgement, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries, defence methods and releases in preparation for challenging rescues.

100% attendance is required.

Learn more about the Bronze Medallion curriculum.

Bronze Cross / Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED (replaces Standard First Aid)

Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid issued before June 21, 2026, or Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED issued after June 22, 2026.

Effective June 2026, Standard First Aid has been retired and replaced with Intermediate First Aid With CPR-C and AED. Moving forward, Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C / AED will be the required pre-requisite for National Lifeguard, and the WSIB approved workplace first aid certification.

Designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze cross is the prerequisite for all advanced training programs including NL and Instructors. Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C and AED provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR

100% attendance is required.

Learn more about the Bronze Cross curriculum here

Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED Recertification (replaces Standard First Aid)

Prerequisite: Current LSS Standard First Aid & CPR-C *Please bring original certification.

Candidates may take an Intermediate First Aid Recertification course within 36 months of completing a Standard First Aid or Intermediate First Aid full Course (16 hours). Recertification for Intermediate First Aid covers the essential workplace first aid competencies, including CPR-C with AED certification for adult, child and infant, emergency scene management, recognition and management of life-threatening airway, breathing, circulation, and bleeding emergencies, identification and response to medical emergencies, and management of soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries.

Intermediate First Aid award holders may recertify their Intermediate First Aid certification once. To renew again, award holders must repeat the full Intermediate First Aid course. Thereafter, individuals may renew by alternating recertifications and full courses.

If your SFA certification is more than 3 years old, you must take a full course, not a recertification.

National Lifeguard 

Prerequisite: 15 yrs of age by end of class and Bronze Cross & Standard First Aid issued before June 22, 2026, or Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED issued after June 22, 2026.

Recognized as the standard measurement of lifeguard performance in Canada, NL education is designed to develop a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgement, and a mature and responsible attitude toward the role of the lifeguard. 100% attendance is required.

Learn more

National Lifeguard Recertification

Prerequisite Required: Hold NL Certification (need not be current; within 5 years is recommended).

To maintain a current certification, award holders recertify within 2 years by successfully retaking the practical examination. A new certification card is issued to successful candidates after each re-examination. 100% class attendance is required. Bring proof of award to recertify.

Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

Prerequisite: 15 yrs of age by end of class and Bronze Cross. HIGH FIVE® PHCD included in Instructor’s certification.

The combined Swim and Lifesaving Instructor course prepares the participant to teach and evaluate swim strokes and lifesaving skills. Through classroom learning and in-water practice, instructor candidates explore proven teaching methods, learn strategies and activities, a variety of strokes and skills, effective correction techniques and evaluation criteria. Practice teaching is emphasized throughout. 100% attendance is required.

Learn about Swim Instuctors

Learn about Lifesaving Instructors

Temporary cards will be issued to the following successful candidates:

• Bronze Star
• Bronze Medallion
• Bronze Cross
• National Lifeguard
• Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED
• Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED
• Lifesaving Instructor
• Swim Instructor

Candidates will receive their permanent card from the Lifesaving Society within 90 days.

Age Prerequisites

Candidates must be of the required age by the last scheduled day of the course. Proof of age will be required for all courses with an age prerequisite.

Certification Prerequisites

Candidates must ensure they have the correct prerequisites for the course and bring them on the first day. National Lifeguard candidates must also submit a photocopy of their First Aid certification if the certification is from an approved agency other than the Lifesaving Society in addition to showing the original.

Some courses use textbooks. Candidates must have the required texts when participating in the course. You can buy the books when registering for the course, or if you already have a copy of the course book you may bring it to the first day of class.

The textbook for Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross (Canadian Lifesaving Manual) and for National Lifeguard (Alert manual) are both available at the Halton Hills Public Library. Course texts are located behind the circulation desk and can be borrowed for 10 weeks. Borrowers must have a library card and provide proof that they are registered in a course with the Town of Halton Hills. Learn more on the Halton Hills Public Library Webpage.

All candidates presenting themselves at a Lifesaving Society vocational course; original or recertification, must verify their identity to the instructor, examiner or trainer. The Lifesaving Society Ontario requires that the candidates legal name must appear on all certifications it issues. Candidates may also provide a preferred name, which may be displayed on the certification if requested; however, it does not replace the legal name.

Vocational awards include:

• Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED
• Bronze Cross
• Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED (full course and recert)
• Aquatic Supervisor
• Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor
• National Lifeguard (full course and recert)
• National Lifeguard Instructor
• First Aid Instructor
• Examiner

 To support one's identity, the identification must:

• Be valid (current)
• Include your name and date of birth
• Be an original document issued by a federal, provincial, territorial or state government authority, or the equivalent abroad 

A photo is required for most forms of identification, except for Health Cards and Birth Certificates, which are acceptable without a photo. Identification may be original, copy, or digital copy.

The following ID are most commonly provided and meet the criteria above:

• Driver's license
• Health Card (*Note: in Ontario, not all Health Cards contain a photo.)
• Passport
• Permanent Resident (PR) Card
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Ontario Photo Card

You can view the entire policy on the Lifesaving Society’s Website.

For all aquatic leadership courses, bring:

• proof of age where required
• verification of identify documents
• proof of original certification of prerequisites
• notebook/paper and pen/pencil

For in-water courses, bring:

• bathing suit(s) and towel(s)
• comfortable clothing and indoor sandals

A whistle may be required for some programs. Course materials and schedules will be discussed on the first day.

Lunch/dinner/snacks

Training takes place over several hours, and in some cases a full day. Candidates should bring water/drinks and lunch/dinner/snacks where appropriate.