Swim Patrol – Rookie, Ranger and Star Patrol - Updated

Changes in effect since September 2010
Swim Patrol Program is a three level modular pre-bronze award progression including Rookie Patrol, Ranger Patrol and Star Patrol. This is part two of the school-age program; it delivers “work hard/play hard” training for skilled swimmers – they may start at any level. 

Swim Patrol fits into standard programming blocks (i.e. 10-12 lessons of approximately 45 to 60 minutes each).  A total of eight to ten hours is recommended for each Swim Patrol level for a class of up to 10 participants.  The entire program is taught in the water; classroom time is not required. 

Rookie Patrol :
Pre-requisites:  Must be 8-12 years of age.  Ability is the only other prerequisite (e.g. swim 25m, tread water 1 minute and comfort in deep water).
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Evaluated by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Award Recognition:  Wall chart & Seals (stickers) and/or Progress card and Crest (badge)
Next Step:  Ranger Patrol

Ranger Patrol:
Pre-requisites:  Must be 8-12 years of age.  Ability is the only other prerequisite (e.g. swim 25m, tread water 1 minute and comfort in deep water).
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Evaluated by: Current Lifesaving Instructor
Award Recognition:  Wall chart & Seals (stickers) and/or Progress card & Crest (badge)
Next Step: Star Patrol

Star Patrol:
Pre-requisites:  Must be 8-12 years of age.  Ability is the only other prerequisite (e.g. swim 25m, tread water 1 minute and comfort in deep water).
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Evaluated by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Award Recognition:  Wall chart & Seals (stickers) and/or Progress card and Crest (badge)
Next Step:  Bronze Star or Bronze Medallion (if 13 years of age)

Recommendation: Combine Swim for Life & Swim Patrol Program for effective school-age programming.

BRONZE STAR (also includes CPR A )The beginning of the Bronze progression and is an excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion.  In Bronze Star, participants develop problem-solving and decision making skills as individuals and in partners.  They learn Adult Resuscitation Skills and develop WaterSmart® confidence and the lifesaving skills needed to be their own personal lifeguard.

Pre-requisites:  None
Course length:  Recommended at least 10 to 12 hours (course length dependent on the extent of the candidates’ previous lifesaving training)
Candidate Books:  Canadian Lifesaving Manual (CPR Cardstock Manual – optional)
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Evaluated by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor; this is a pass or fail award.
Award Recognition:  Wallet card and Bronze Medal
Next Step:  Bronze Medallion

BRONZE MEDALLION (also includes Emergency First Aid & CPR B) -  This award teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education ‑‑ judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn both tows and carries and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk. Lifesavers learn to respond to increasingly complex situations involving conscious and unconscious victims with an obstructed airway. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a timed swim

Pre-requisites:  Recommended prior Bronze Star training and/or 13 years of age.  If the candidate has successfully completed Bronze Star, the age requirement is waived (i.e. may be younger than 13 if holds Bronze Star award); challengeable award
Course length:  Recommended at least 18-20 hours (not including exam time)
Candidate Books:  Canadian Lifesaving Manual (CPR Cardstock Manual – optional)
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Examination length:  Approx 2 hours (for up to 12 candidates – feedback time extra)
Evaluated by:  Current Bronze Examiner; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  Bronze Examiner appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card and Bronze Medal
Expiry Date:  Two years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Bronze Cross
Recertification:  Successfully pass Bronze Medallion recertification exam; recertification only required to maintain “current” Bronze Medallion certification

BRONZE CROSS (also includes CPR C) This award is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross teaches the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding, the principles of emergency procedures, and teamwork. Lifesavers learn how to rescue a spinal‑injured victim and a non-breathing victim. Bronze Cross is the prerequisite award for all advanced training programs in lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.

Pre-requisites:  Bronze Medallion (from any date); challengeable award
Course length:  Recommended at least 18-20 hours (not including exam time)
Candidate Books:  Canadian Lifesaving Manual (CPR Cardstock Manual – optional)
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Examination length:  Approx 2 hours (for up to 12 candidates – feedback time extra)
Evaluated by:  Current Bronze Examiner; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  Bronze Examiner appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card and Bronze Medal
Expiry Date:  Two years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC), Lifesaving Instructor (LSI), National Lifeguard Service (NLS) or Distinction
Recertification:  Successfully pass Bronze Cross recertification exam (could be 3 to 4 hours); recertification only required to maintain “current” Bronze Cross certification

DISTINCTION This award encourages a maturity of response to demanding aquatic emergency situations and is designed to develop advanced water rescue skill and knowledge and an understanding of the principles of fitness training. Distinction challenges include implications of assuming responsibility in an emergency, how to deal with two victims at once, and rescue of a non‑breathing spinal‑injured victim. Inherent in the name of the award, lifesavers must perform every item with distinction.

Pre-requisites:  Bronze Cross (from any date); challengeable award
Course length:  Recommended 20 to 25 hours (not including exam time)
Candidate Books:  Canadian Lifesaving Manual (additional CPR Cardstock Manual – optional)
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor (with own personal Distinction award)
Examination length:  2.5 hours (for up to 12 candidates – feedback time extra)
Evaluated by:  Current Distinction Examiner; this is a pass or fail award.
Examiner Qualifications:  Distinction Examiner appointment
Award Recognition:  Wallet card and Distinction crest (badge)
Expiry Date:  Two years from the date of certification (i.e. date on certification card)
Next step:  National Lifeguard Service (NLS) or Diploma
Recertification:  Successfully pass Distinction recertification exam (could be 3 to 4 hours); recertification only required to maintain “current” Distinction certification

DIPLOMA This award is the highest award of the Society.  It is designed for those seeking a challenging opportunity to demonstrate exceptional lifesaving ability and leadership. The Diploma Award encourages excellence in practical ability and theoretical knowledge either by the development of superior aquatic skills (Part A1) or through the completion of a major project or assignment (Part A2).

Pre-requisites:  Distinction or National Lifeguard Service (NLS) or Lifesaving Instructor (LSI)
Course length:  Instructional time varies depending on the abilities of the candidate and method of evaluation chosen
Candidate Books:  Canadian Lifesaving Manual (CPR Cardstock Manual – optional)
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Examination length:   4.0 to 5.0 hours (for up to 12 candidates – feedback time extra)
Evaluated by:  An appointed Branch Representative
Award Recognition:  TBA
Expiry Date:  Lifetime award

LIFESAVING FITNESS AWARD This award teaches the importance of physical fitness in lifesaving.  The award is designed for participants of both sexes who learn how to measure, monitor, and maintain personal physical fitness for lifesaving emergencies.
Pre-requisites:  Medical approval is required if over 30 years old.
Course length:  Recommended at least 10 hours
Taught by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Evaluated by:  Current Lifesaving Instructor
Award Recognition:  Wallet card and Lifesaving Fitness crest (i.e. Gold, Silver or Bronze badge)
Next step:  Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard Service (NLS) or Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) or Distinction or Diploma

BOAT RESCUE This award provides lifesaving knowledge and rescue ability for those engaged in small craft activities.  Boat Rescue is designed for those who are already skilled in handling their craft.  Training emphasizes self‑rescue techniques, recognition of emergencies, factors in rescue craft performance and proper emergency response procedures.  Since boat rescue techniques vary considerably with the type of craft and the wind and weather conditions, the requirements of the award specify the type of victim, rather than the method of rescue.
Candidates may confine their evaluation to use of one type of vessel, e.g., sailboat, canoe, kayak, etc., or may demonstrate knowledge and ability to perform using a variety of water crafts.

Pre-requisites:  Basic swimming and craft‑handling ability required
Course length:  Recommended 10 hours
Candidate books:  Canadian Lifesaving Manual
Taught by: Current Boat Rescue Instructor
Evaluated by:  Current Boat Rescue Instructor; evaluation is continuous and often coincides with training in open water conditions
Expiry date:  TBD
Award Recognition: Wallet card and Boat Rescue crest (badge)
Next step:  B.O.A.T. training or Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) or Boat Rescue Instructor