Swim for Life (S4L) & Lifesaving Instructor (LSI)

This course includes both Swim for Life Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor certifications as well as the Examination Standards Clinic (ESC).
Candidates learn to teach the Lifesaving Society’s 18 learn-to-swim levels (i.e. Parent & Tot, Preschool, Swimmer, Adult Swimmer and Fitness Swimmer levels) as well as all lifesaving awards - Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and more.
Candidates also learn to teach Emergency First Aid and CPR A, B & C which are integrated into the Bronze Family awards. 

NOTE:  Lifesaving Instructors may also teach stand-alone CPR A, B, & C however they are not authorized to deliver stand-alone Emergency or Standard First Aid courses.
The Examination Standards Clinic provides an avenue for the candidates to become Examiners for Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and higher. 
After S4L-LSI-ESC candidates are successful in the course, they are certified to teach and evaluate all Swim for Life awards, all Swim Patrol awards and Bronze Star on their own however they must mentor on all initial Bronze Medallion & Bronze Cross courses.  In other words, they must prepare, teach and examine these two awards with an approved (volunteer) Mentor until they have successfully completed two full Bronze mentorships. 
Once successful and appointed by the Branch office, the new Lifesaving Instructor may teach and examine all Bronze courses, exams and recerts on his/her own.

Pre-requisites:  16 years old at time of the course and a Bronze Cross award or higher
Course length:  40 to 44 hours; 40% classroom & 60% water time required (recommended 12 to 16 candidates per Instructor-Trainer – ensure provincial lifeguarding regulations are met)
Candidate Books: Current Canadian Lifesaving Manual and Swim for Life-Lifesaving Instructor Binder (i.e. 2010 Swim for Life Award Guide, Teaching Swim for Life manual, 2010 Swim Patrol Award Guide, Bronze Medal Award Guide, Instructor Notes and current CPR cardstock manual)
Taught by:  Current updated Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer
Evaluated by:  Current updated Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer branch appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card & LSI crest (badge)
Expiry Date:  Exactly 2 years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Mentor on all Bronze Medallion & Cross courses & exams until successfully completed two Bronze mentorships
Recertification:  Successfully complete instructor recertification process to remain current (see Leadership Recertification Process for specifics).

National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Instructor

After successful participation in the NLS Instructor Course, these instructors are certified to teach the NLS Award under the supervision of an approved NLS Mentor.  In other words, all new NLS Instructors must prepare, teach and examine every NLS course & recert with an approved (volunteer) NLS Mentor until they have successfully completed two full NLS mentorships. 
Once successful and appointed by the Branch office, the new NLS Instructor may teach & examine NLS courses, NLS exams and NLS recerts on his/her own.

Pre-requisites:  NLS Award (any option), Lifesaving Instructor (LSI), Examination Standards Clinic & recommended Bronze Mentorships completed
Course length:  Approximately 20 hours; delivered by Branch only
Candidate Books: NLS Award Guide, Alert Manual, Canadian Lifesaving Manual, and Instructor Notes.
Taught by:  National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Instructor Trainer
Evaluated by:  NLS Instructor-Trainer; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  NLS Instructor-Trainer branch appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card
Expiry Date:  Exactly 2 years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Mentor on all NLS courses & exams until successfully completed two full NLS mentorships
Recertification:  Successfully complete instructor recertification process to remain current (see Leadership Recertification Process for specifics).

Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC) Instructor

After successful participation in the AEC Instructor Course, these instructors are certified to teach & examine all CPR levels, Lifesaving Emergency First Aid & Lifesaving Standard First Aid on his/her own.  Initially, these new AEC Instructors may only teach &/or examine AEC courses, exams & recerts under the supervision of an approved AEC Mentor. 
In other words, all new AEC Instructors must prepare, teach and examine every AEC course & recert with an approved (volunteer) AEC Mentor until they have successfully completed two full AEC mentorships. 
Once successful and appointed by the Branch office, the new AEC Instructor may teach & examine AEC courses, AEC exams and AEC recerts on his/her own.

Pre-requisites: AEC Award, Lifesaving Instructor (LSI), Examination Standards Clinic & recommended Bronze Mentorships completed
Course length:  Up to 20 hours; delivered by Branch only
Candidate Books:  Must bring Canadian Lifesaving Manual & the Instructor Notes to course; candidate will receive the Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Binder at the start of course (binder includes the Lifesaving First Aid Award Guide, Canadian First Aid manual, AED & First Aid Lesson Plans, Lifesaving Candidate Workbook, CPR+AED+O2 Admin Cardstock manuals and Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Course Booklet)
Taught by:  Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC) Instructor-Trainer
Evaluated by:  AEC Instructor Trainer; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  AEC Instructor-Trainer branch appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card
Expiry Date:  Exactly 2 years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Obtain own AEC certification and then mentor on all AEC courses, exams and recerts until successfully completed two AEC mentorships
Recertification:  Successfully complete instructor recertification process to remain current (see Leadership Recertification Process for specifics).

Lifesaving First Aid Instructor

After successful participation in the Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Course, these instructors are certified to teach & examine all CPR levels, Lifesaving Emergency First Aid & Lifesaving Standard First Aid on his/her own however they cannot teach or examine AEC courses, exams or recerts.
Pre-requisites:  Standard First Aid/CPR C Award, Lifesaving Instructor (LSI), Examination Standards Clinic & recommended Bronze Mentorships completed …some exceptions apply
Course length:  Up to 20 hours; delivered by Branch only
Candidate Books:  Must bring Canadian Lifesaving Manual & the Instructor Notes to course; candidate will receive the Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Binder at the start of course (binder includes the Lifesaving First Aid Award Guide, Canadian First Aid manual, AED & First Aid Lesson Plans, Lifesaving Candidate Workbook, CPR+AED+O2 Admin Cardstock manuals and Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Course Booklet)
Taught by:  Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC) Instructor-Trainer
Evaluated by:  AEC Instructor Trainer; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  AEC Instructor-Trainer branch appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card
Expiry Date:  Exactly 2 years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Mentor on all AEC courses, exams and recerts until successfully completed two AEC mentorships
Recertification:  Successfully complete instructor recertification process to remain current
(see Leadership Recertification Process for specifics).

External First Aid Instructor Transfer Process to Lifesaving Society

Did you know there is a First Aid Instructor Transfer Package available for current or previously certified First Aid Instructors from the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance or Canadian Ski Patrol?
Simply purchase all of the Lifesaving First Aid/AEC Instructor materials and successfully complete the take home assignment – additional work may be required for those without Lifesaving Instructor certification. 
Please contact the Branch office for more details.

Lifesaving CPR Instructor

Lifesaving CPR instructors are trained to teach and evaluate the Lifesaving CPR program – levels A, B and C.  This certification is included in both Lifesaving Instructor course and the Lifesaving First Aid/AEC Instructor course.
Pre-requisites:  Minimum 16 years old and Bronze Cross or higher
Candidate Books: Lifesaving CPR Instructor Package
Taught by:  Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Trainer orLifesaving Instructor-Trainer (i.e. as part of the Swim for Life-Lifesaving Instructor course)
Evaluated by:  AEC Instructor-Trainer or Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  AEC Instructor-Trainer or Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer branch appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card
Expiry Date:  Exactly 2 years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Mentor on all AEC or Bronze courses, exams and recerts until successfully completed two full mentorships, if necessary.
Recertification:  Successfully complete instructor recertification process to remain current (see Leadership Recertification Process for specifics).

Lifesaving AED Instructor

Lifesaving AED Instructors are certified to teach and evaluate the Lifesaving AED award.  This certification is included in the Lifesaving First Aid/AEC Instructor course.
Pre-requisites:  AED certification & AEC or Lifesaving First Aid Instructor
Candidate Books:  Lifesaving AED Instructor Package
Taught by:  Lifesaving AED Instructor-Trainer
Evaluated by:  Lifesaving AED Instructor-Trainer; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  AEC Instructor-Trainer or Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer branch appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card
Expiry Date:  Exactly 2 years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Mentor on all Aquatic Emergency courses, exams and recerts until successfully completed two full AEC mentorships, if applicable.
Recertification:  Successfully complete instructor recertification process to remain current (see Leadership Recertification Process for specifics).

Instructor Trainer Certification

Instructor Trainers provide a high level of leadership and education to the Lifesaving Society, instructor candidates and program candidates.
Instructor Trainers are trained by a Provincial Trainer.  Provincial Trainers are Instructor Trainers as well and are appointed by the Branch to Provincial Trainer status.
To become an Instructor Trainer at any level (excluding B.O.A.T. Instructor), candidates must successfully complete the Lifesaving Instructor Trainer Clinic. 
After taking the IT Clinic, instructor-trainer candidates are eligible to apprentice to become one or all of the following:

1. Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer …recommended first
2. National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Instructor-Trainer
3. Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC)/ Lifesaving First Aid Instructor-Trainer

Two successful co-teaching apprenticeships are required at the level of desired Instructor-Trainer status.
Prerequisites:  Lifesaving Instructor (LSI), Bronze Examiner and Bronze Mentor AND Instructor award, Examiner & Mentor appointment at the level you wish to become an Instructor-Trainer for (if different than Lifesaving Instructor-Trainer).
Candidate Books:  Canadian Lifesaving Manual, current Lifesaving Instructor Binder (including Swim for Life Award Guide, Teaching Swim for Life Manual, Swim Patrol Award Guide, Bronze Medal Award Guide, Instructor Notes and CPR Cardstock manual), NLS Award Guide, Alert Manual, AEC/Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Binder and Notes for Instructor Trainers
Course length:  Approximately 20 hours; Branch delivered only
Taught by:  Provincial Trainer
Next step:  Co-teach/apprentice on 50% of all Instructor courses until you have successfully completed two courses for the level you wish to be an Instructor Trainer (100% during all Instructor courses are required). Successfully co-teach/apprentice on one course for each subsequent Instructor Trainer level you wish to become an Instructor-Trainer for.
Recertification:  Successfully complete instructor-trainer recertification process to remain current (see Leadership Recertification Process for specifics).