Advanced Leadership Programs

Dark-haired woman standing in front of indoor pool, with a whistle around her neck, glancing down at a stop-watch in her hand.

Advanced Leadership

Advanced leadership programs provide a practical and hands-on approach to enable individuals to learn new skills and apply existing knowledge to be at the forefront of aquatic and leadership roles.

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Pathway to become a certified Lifeguard and Swim Instructor

Bronze Star Recommended (11-14 yrs)
Bronze Medallion (Must be 13 yrs or have Bronze Star)
Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED (or equivalent Emergency First Aid) (minimum required for Bronze Cross)
OR
Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED (or equivalent Standard First Aid with CPR-C) (minimum required for National Lifeguard)
Bronze Cross (Must have Bronze Medallion AND Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED or Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED)

Then choose:

Looking for a program to assist with developing your strokes and improve endurance? Register for Swim for Fitness programs.

Are you employment ready?

Visit hamilton.ca/recjobs

Lifesaving Society Leadership Courses

Lifesaving and Lifeguarding Awards Courses

Bronze Medal Awards
National Lifeguard Awards

Skill Development Courses

Swim for Fitness
Hamilton Lifesaving Club

Instructor Courses

Lifesaving Society Combined Swim and Lifesaving Instructor
Lifesaving Society Examiner

First Aid Courses

Lifesaving Society Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED
Lifesaving Society Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED Recertification

Leadership Courses

HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD)
Recreation Leader in Training 13-16 years

Manual and exam fees required will be added to the course fee at time of registration.
100% attendance and participation is required for all Advanced Leadership Programs, with the exception of LIT.
Candidates must turn the identified age by the last day of the course or exam.
Classes over 5 hours in length will include a 30 minute to 1-hour lunch break
It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they have the correct prerequisites prior to registering in the course. Prerequisites are identified in the course description.
Candidates are required to show proof of held prerequisites and government issued identification in accordance with the Lifesaving Society Verification of ID policy on the first day of the course. Additional Information on the Lifesaving Society Verification of ID policy can be found at https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/policies/verification-of-identity-policy.aspx
Candidates will be withdrawn from the course if unable to provide pre-requisite certifications (as listed in the course description) on the first day of the course, along with a government issued identification (that includes proof of name and age).As per the refund policy, withdrawals on the first day of the course or thereafter will not be eligible for a credit refund.
Withdrawals within 14 days of the start of the course will be subject to a withdrawal fee.
Pocket masks are required for all Aquatic Leadership Courses. One can be purchased at some Recreation Centres (call ahead for availability). Pocket masks must be purchased prior to the start of the first class.

What to bring to aquatic leadership & instructor courses:

Bathing suit, towel and whistle needed for pool portions.
Pocket mask (available for purchase).
Notebook/paper, pens, food/drinks.
Required qualifications and government issued ID
In some instances, pre-course assignments will be assigned before the first day of the course or candidates will be asked to bring previous course materials with them

Check your qualifications online previous to registration so you are not turned away at the first class! Verify and print out your awards at www.lifesavingsociety.com

To view and download/print your award:

Click on the “Find a Member” link.
Fill in your membership number and click on “Get Certifications”. (You can find your membership number on the bottom of your certification card).
Print out the record and bring it with you to your first class.

Browse and Register for Courses

Please note, to view specific program, add course name to “Keyword” filter.”

Hamilton Lifesaving Club

A lifesaving sport program that is divided into two age groups 8-11yrs and 12-15yrs. “Lifesaving sport is the only sport whose skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes. Through lifesaving sport, the Lifesaving Society seeks to engage and inspire youth in our drowning prevention mission.” - The Lifesaving Society.

Lifesaving Sport Events include:

Lifesaving Medley
Manikin Carry
Manikin Tow with Fins
Object Carry
Swim and Don Fins
Swim with Fins
Throwing Accuracy

Who should join the program?

Individuals who are looking to become lifeguards.
Individuals who have completed Swimmer 9 and are looking for a new program to try.
Individuals who want to participate in some friendly competition and try new skills.

Course Length: 1 hour
Recommended Prerequisite: Swimmer 4 (or equivalent)
Format: Pool
Course Manual: None

Bronze Star

Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts.

Course Length: 10 hrs
Recommended Prerequisite: Swimmer 9
Format: Pool
Course Manual: None

Bronze Medallion

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.

Course Length: 17.5 hrs
Prerequisite: 13 years old or Bronze Star
Format: Pool, Lecture and Practical Exam
Course Manuals: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (not included in fee, please bring with you) & Bronze Cross Workbook (included in fee)

Bronze Cross

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.

Course Length: 22.5 hrs
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED (or equivalent Standard First Aid with CPR-C) or Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED (or equivalent Emergency First Aid)
Format: Pool, Lecture and Practical Exam
Course Manuals: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (not included in fee) & Bronze Cross Workbook (included in fee)

Total Bronze w/ Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED

Bronze Medallion challenges candidates mentally & physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill, & fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment & problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around water.

Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding & prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen & expand lifesaving skills & begin to apply principles & techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork & communication in preventing & responding to aquatic emergencies

Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) includes all aspects of Basic First Aid and provides additional comprehensive first aid training. Candidates demonstrate first aid care for anaphylaxis, shock, stroke, amputations, facial injuries, burn injuries, fractures and dislocations, neck or spinal column injuries, seizures, diabetic emergencies, and environmental injury and illness. Includes CPR-C with AED certification for adult, child and infant.

Note: 100% attendance & participation is required.

Course Length: 40 hours
Prerequisite: 13 years of age or Bronze Star
Format: Pool, Lecture, and Practical Exam
Course Manual: Lifesaving Manual, Bronze Medallion Workbook, Bronze Cross Workbook & Canadian First Aid Manual (included in fee)

National Lifeguard (pool option)

National Lifeguard certification is Canada’s professional lifeguard standard. National Lifeguard training develops a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment, and a mature and responsible attitude towards the lifeguard’s role. National Lifeguard training emphasizes prevention and effective rescue response in emergencies including first aid treatment. Candidates develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Fitness requirements include a timed object recovery, 50 m sprint challenge, 50 m rescue drill and 400 m endurance challenge.

Course Length: 40 hrs
Prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross and Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED (or equivalent Standard First Aid with CPR-C) (need not be current, but must be issued from WSIB approved organization)
Format: Pool, Lecture and Practical Exam
Course Manual: Alert Manual (included in fee)

National Lifeguard RECERT (pool option)

This course is designed to test the candidate’s lifeguarding skills in order to maintain current certification at the NL level. Pool National Lifeguard certification is current for 2 years and is recertified by completing an NL recertification exam. The NL recertification exam is your opportunity to demonstrate your NL skills and recertify your award. You are responsible for reviewing the required content and skills and preparing yourself for the exam. The exam is based on the NL award recertification curriculum.

Course Length: 5 hrs
Prerequisite: Proof of previous National Lifeguard certification
Format: Pool
Course Manual: Alert Manual (not included)

Combined Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques.

The Lifesaving Instructorcourse prepares individuals to organize, plan, teach and evaluate lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in the Society’s lifesaving awards. Lifesaving Instructors are certified to teach Canadian Swim Patrol Program, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross. They may also teach Boat Rescue, Junior Lifeguard Club, Lifesaving Fitness and Wading pool Attendant. Successful candidates of the Swim and Lifesaving Instructor course receive two certification cards: Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor.

Course Length: 40 hrs (not including lunch break)
Prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross
Format: Pool and Lecture
Course Manual: Swim and Lifesaving Instructor PAC (Included in fee)

Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED

Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) includes all aspects of Basic First Aid and provides additional comprehensive first aid training. Candidates demonstrate first aid care for anaphylaxis, shock, stroke, amputations, facial injuries, burn injuries, fractures and dislocations, neck or spinal column injuries, seizures, diabetic emergencies, and environmental injury and illness. Includes CPR-C with AED certification for adult, child and infant. Recognized by Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board.

Course Length: 16 hrs (not including lunch break)
20% discounted rate of course fees (excludes manual and exam fees) for older adults (over 55)
Format: Lecture
Course Manual: Canadian First Aid Manual (included in fee)

Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED RECERT

Current Standard First Aid (SFA) or Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED (IFA) award holders may recertify their IFA certification just once on an IFA Recertification Course not more than 3 years from the IFA date of issue. To renew IFA certifications subsequently, award holders must repeat the full IFA Course. Individuals may renew by alternating recertification and full courses. As per WSIB regulations, current Intermediate First Aid (IFA) award holders may recertify their Lifesaving Society IFA certification just once with any WSIB-approved first aid training provider.

Course Length: 8 hrs (not including lunch break)
20% discounted rate of course fees (excludes manual and exam fees) for older adults (over 55)
Prerequisite: Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED from WSIB approved provider (or equivalent Standard First Aid with CPR-C issued by the Lifesaving Society).
Format: Lecture
Course Manual: Canadian First Aid Manual (not included, please bring with you).

Lifesaving Society Examiner (virtual)

The examiner course is the first step in the three-step process to be appointed as an examiner for the Lifesaving Society, and prepares candidates to successfully apprentice as an examiner on the exam of their choice. The examiner course builds on the evaluation experience that candidates have attained in the instructor-evaluated content.

Course Length: 6 hrs
Prerequisite: Lifesaving Instructor or First Aid Instructor or National Lifeguard Instructor
Course Manual: Lifesaving Society Examiner Handbook (included in fee), Bronze Medal Award Guide or First Aid Award Guide or National Lifeguard Award Guide (not included, please bring with you any applicable award guides).

Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructors

The Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructor course prepares candidates to teach Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AEDand Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED, CPR-A & AED, and CPR-C & AED.

Course Length: 20 hrs
Prerequisite: Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED Certification (or equivalent Standard First Aid with CPR-C)
Course Manual: Canadian First Aid Manual, First Aid Instructor Resource USB and First Aid Award Guide

Swim For Fitness

A great workout for children (6-12 years), youth and adults. Ideal for those looking to improve their endurance.

Format: Pool
Course Manual: None

Date modified

June 30, 2026

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