COVID-19

The Lifesaving Society is closely monitoring the public health and safety risks associated with COVID-19. The Society is hosting a series of webinars on topics related to the safe management of public pools. Registration for these is limited, so register early. These are being recorded and links will be posted below along with related articles as they are completed.

Extension of award currency dates

The Lifesaving Society will ensure that its instructors and lifeguards are eligible to work when Ontario aquatic facilities reopen. See details.

Current webinar dates and topics:

April 29 - Programming with COVID, staff training, reopening after COVID with panelists Gary Sanger, Perry Smith and Michael Shane. View recording

May 5 - How medicine influences aquatic operations during the COVID pandemic with Dr. Steve Beerman. View recording

May 13 - Legal aspects of reopening after COVID and public education responsibilities in these times with panelists Stas Bodrov (Lifesaving Society Legal Advisor) and Barbara Byers (Lifesaving Society Public Education Director). View recording

May 20 - COVID and Learn to Swim with Swim Program Chair Lisa Brandie and Program Manager Sindy Parsons. View recording

May 27 - COVID Question and Answer with VP Training Programs Patrick King, VP Safety Standards Gary Sanger and VP Leadership Kerry Wakefield. View recording

June 3 - COVID and National Lifeguard and First Aid with First Aid Chair Rebecca Boyd and National Lifeguard Chair Carolyn Tyner. View recording

June 10 - COVID and Bronze and Standards with Bronze Medal Awards Chair Jason Jolicoeur and VP Safety Standards Gary Sanger. View recording

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June 17 - COVID and the National Safety Standards Commission with Lifesaving Society Safety Standards Commissioner Eric Hervieux, Past Commissioner Patrick D’Almada and Lifesaving Society Canada Director of Operations Wendy Schultenkamper, CAE. View recording

June 24 - COVID and PPE with Lifesaving Society Business Development Director Renata Jaciw-Zurakowsky and Program Director Perry Smith. View recording

July 8 - Delivery of Online and Blended Learning with Heather Morris Stokes and Carolyn Tyner, along with and a general Q&A session with Perry Smith and Gary Sanger. View Recording

July 22 - COVID and Straight Talk - hear from experienced supervisory staff about their experiences and recommendations with Lynn Loubert (Division Manager Aquatics & Arenas, Parks and Recreation, City of London) and Cynthia Cakebread (Manager, Recreation & Culture, Town of Essex). View recording

August 5 - COVID and First Aid and National Lifeguard Blended Learning - hear from First Aid Chair Rebecca Boyd, National Lifeguard Chair Carolyn Tyner and Program Director Perry Smith about developments and resources available for blended in-person and in-person training for Lifesaving Society courses. View recording

August 19 - COVID and Contactless Training - NEW Guide to Training - hear from Leadership Chair Katie Short (Dovercourt Recereation Centre), Bronze Medal Awards Chair Jason Jolicoeur and Program Director Perry Smith about developments in contactless training and the online resources including the NEW Lifesaving Society Guide to Training During COVID-19, Safety Guidelines for Affiliates, Trainers, Instructors, Examiners and Coaches. Register here

Resources

Time out – COVID hits aquatics
webinar recordings

Information Bulletins and Guide

Backyard Swimming Lessons

Effective Friday, June 12, the Ontario Government lifts restrictions in 24 regions of Ontario (see “A Framework for Reopening our Province, Stage 2” (June 8, 2020). In these regions, indoor, outdoor swimming pools, outdoor splash pads and wading pools may open to the public.

Accordingly, Lifesaving Society Seasonal Swim Affiliates in these regions may commence swimming pool operations including backyard pool swimming lessons. Swim Affiliates must ensure that all aquatic activities such as fitness classes and swim lessons are in line with physical distancing measures. For example, only same household members assist swimmers with physical contact.

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Seasonal Swim Affiliates in the remaining 10 regions of the province are required to wait for restrictions to be lifted in their areas before starting backyard pool swim lessons.

When affiliates begin to reopen, the Lifesaving Society recommends that facility operators refer to its Guide to Reopening Pools and Waterfronts.

If you are interested in becoming a new Seasonal Swim Affiliate, click on this link and complete the Affiliate Member Form. Please note: Both the Lifesaving Society Affiliation Fee and Swim Seasonal License Fee are required to become a Seasonal Swim Affiliate. Once the form is complete and fees are paid, all the necessary materials/resources required to teach will be sent via a Dropbox link.