Working to prevent drowning and water-related injury

The office is open but no visitors

In accordance with recent public health measures for Toronto announced by the province, the Society’s office, while functioning, is closed to visitors. We are responding to voicemail and email messages: leave a message at 416.490.8844 or email experts@lifeguarding.com

Curbside pickup / drop-off remain available 9:30 to 4:30.

We thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented period and ask for your patience as we work through the ‘return-to-new-normal.’ We all have a role to play in supressing the spread of COVID-19. An excellent source of authoritative information is this government of Canada website.

First Aid Courses – Essential Business

WSIB confirms that First Aid course delivery can continue as an essential business during Grey Zone/Stage One. Learn more.

Explore Bronze

The Lifesaving Society has officially released the revised Bronze medal awards! Discover What’s new for Affiliates / What’s new for Instructors / What’s new for Recertifying Bronze Cross. Our Teaching/Resources page has more information about the newest support materials. Get started by taking the Explore Bronze online tutorial.

Explore Bronze - Update Clinic

Explore the revised Bronze medal awards. Join us online for highlights of the new curriculum. Click to register: January 18 (1:30-3:30 pm EST) or February 18 (7:00-9:00 pm EST).

Water Smart Award

Award Currency Updated - Nov. 10

To help affiliates coordinate the recertification of their instructors and lifeguards with their reopening plans, the Lifesaving Society Ontario extended the validity of awards (other than First Aid) needed for employment until December 31, 2020. There will be no further extension.

• This extension applies only to awards that expired after March 1, 2020 and includes Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard and Wading Pool Attendant; and all Instructor, Examiner and Trainer leadership certifications.
• In accordance with WSIB, the Society is extending the currency of its Emergency and Standard First Aid certifications (that expired after March 1, 2020) until June 30, 2021.

We encourage you to recertify as soon as you find an available course or recert.

Aquatic employers and employees do not need to take any action to qualify for the extensions. The Society will not reprint certification cards: you can view or print your own certification record (including expiry dates) from Find a Member or findamember.ca on your mobile device.

New - Guide to Training During COVID-19

Download a free copy of the Lifesaving Society Guide to Training During COVID-19: In-Person Training Safety for Affiliates, Trainers, Instructors, Examiners and Coaches. This guide for Affiliate Members aims to ensure in-person water and classroom training can be delivered safely.

Time out – COVID hits Aquatics

The Society is hosting a series of webinars on topics related to the safe management of public pools. These are being recorded. Links will be posted along with related articles as they are completed.

Policy Changes July 1

The Lifesaving Society Canada is adopting 15 years as the minimum age prerequisite for certification as a Swim Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, or National Lifeguard. The Society is also broadening access to its courses by accepting, for prerequisite purposes, EFA and SFA certifications provided by training agencies approved by the Ontario government. See details.

Guide to Reopening after COVID-19

Updated November 2020 - Download a free copy of the Lifesaving Society’s Guide to Reopening Pools and Waterfronts after COVID-19 closure, designed to help owners, operators and staff of aquatic facilities to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission when facilities reopen.

Online and blended learning

Read the Lifesaving Society’s new Guide for affiliates and leadership personnel regarding the delivery of Society courses in online or blended learning formats.

EFA and SFA certifications valid for 3 years

Lifesaving Society Emergency and Standard First Aid certifications are valid for three years (36 months) from the date of certification. In the interests of reducing confusion among employers and harmonizing the Society's currency period with Ontario government regulations, CSA recommendations and the general practice among other workplace first aid providers, the Lifesaving Society Ontario has adopted a three-year period for the validity of its workplace EFA and SFA certifications only. Read the announcement.

Examiner Mentor

Are you an experienced examiner who has completed a minimum of three exams? Do you have a desire to coach and support examiner candidates? If you answered yes to these questions, then becoming an Examiner Mentor may be for you. Learn more here or fill out the Examiner Mentor application.

Water Smart Tip Cards

Our Water Smart Tip Cards in English, French and 10 other languages, address essential drowning prevention topics with tips to stay safe. Order now in lifeguarddepot.com.

Multi-language, online boating safety program

STARTboating is designed to teach basic boating and water safety skills.

Uniforms: designed by lifeguards, for lifeguards