Change in Prerequisite Policy
The Lifesaving Society has revised its policy regarding the
currency of prerequisites. Specifically, prerequisite awards need
not be "current" (i.e., within 24 months of certification date).
This policy applies to all Lifesaving Society certifications.
This prerequisite policy change became effective October 28,
2010 and will be applied retroactively. The Society will issue to
candidates, awards earned since January 1, 2008, which were being
held because of an expired prerequisite.
NOT affected by this policy change are Ontario's Workplace
Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) policies that:
- Standard First Aid (full course) must be current within 36
months in order to attend a recertification course.
- Candidates must alternate between an original course and a
recertification course.
The Lifesaving Society's other prerequisite policies remain
unchanged:
- Prerequisite awards must be earned prior to the start date of
the course to which they apply.
- Minimum age requirements must be attained by the last day of
the course or the day of the exam.
This does not affect programming flexibility. When two or more
awards are offered together (e.g., Standard First Aid with Bronze
Cross or with NLS), the Society deems the prerequisite awards to
have been earned in the correct order.
EFA Prerequisite to Bronze Cross & SFA Prerequisite to
NLS
Emergency First Aid Prerequisite
Emergency First Aid certification is one of the prerequisites to
the Bronze Cross course. For prerequisite purposes, the Emergency
First Aid certification need not be current.
Standard First Aid Prerequisite
Standard First Aid certification is one of the prerequisites to
the National Lifeguard course. For prerequisite purposes, the
Standard First Aid certification need not be current.
Proof of First Aid Prerequisite
The Lifesaving Society accepts Emergency First Aid and Standard
First Aid certificates as prerequisites only from the following
agencies:
- Lifesaving Society
- Canadian Red Cross Society
- St. John Ambulance
- Canadian Ski Patrol
When a first aid certification from an agency other than the
Lifesaving Society is used as a prerequisite for a Lifesaving
Society award, a photocopy of the certification card must accompany
the Lifesaving Society test sheets. The Society will not issue
awards if this proof of prerequisite is missing.
Affiliates: please notify Bronze Cross
and NLS candidates of this prerequisite requirement in your
promotional materials and at registration locations. Before you
submit test sheets to the Society, please attach copies of
prerequisites when necessary.