Working to prevent drowning and water-related injury

Annual General Meeting

Members of the Society are cordially invited to participate in the 111th Annual General Meeting of The Royal Life Saving Society, Ontario Branch by teleconference on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 6 pm. Invitations have been sent to eligible voting members for whom we have email addresses. If you wish to register to attend and have not received an invitation, please contact peterm@lifeguarding.com.

COVID-19 Office Closure

The well-being of our members, program participants and staff is a priority and the Society continues to be guided by the advice of the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the recommendations of provincial public health authorities. Accordingly:

• The Society's office is closed through May 4. Staff are working from home and will check and respond to telephone and email messages as far as we are able. Thank you for your understanding.

• The Society is extending the validity of awards to May 30, 2020 for Lifesaving Society vocational awards that expired after March 1, 2020. (Vocational awards are those required for employment). We will continue to monitor the appropriateness of the extension date as COVID-19 circumstances change.

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.

Who is drowning?

Ontario seniors have the highest drowning rate of any age group and 66% of them were alone when they drowned according to the most recent Ontario Drowning Report. Read the report.

Ontario Waterfront Safety Standards

The 2019 Ontario Waterfront Safety Standards reflects the Lifesaving Society's position on the safe operation of public waterfronts in Ontario. It is a required text for Lifesaving Society Aquatic Safety Inspector and Auditor certifications, and for the Society's Pool Operator courses. All waterfront owners should have a copy. Order a copy today.

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.

Guide to Ontario Public Pools

The revised Public Pools Regulation 565 includes public spas, wading pools and receiving basins. The Lifesaving Society has revised its Guide to Ontario Public Pools Regulation to help aquatic staff members understand and interpret the updated Regulation. The Guide outlines the “Regs” in simple language using everyday terms understood by aquatic personnel.

The revised Guide is available now for $44.52 tax included and free shipping.

Updated Program Guide

The Ontario Program Guide makes it easier than ever to quickly find the information required to deliver Lifesaving Society training programs – including the Society’s revised leadership courses. The ever-popular Prerequisites-at-a-glance is located on the inside back cover. The Guide is an essential component of every aquatic programmer’s reference library.

Multi-language, online boating safety program

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

Uniforms: designed by lifeguards, for lifeguards

Drowning: a top cause of death

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) says drowning is among the top causes of death for children worldwide, and programs like the Society's Swim to Survive could have immunization-like benefits. Read the media release and get the facts. The WHO report identifies drowning as a major public health issue and calls on the world's nations to ramp up drowning prevention efforts. Read the WHO media release and read or download the Global Report on Drowning: Preventing a Leading Killer.

Safeguard Program

The Lifesaving Society's new Safeguard certification provides safety supervision training for guardians like day camp counsellors, counsellors-in-training and others who accompany groups of young people to pools or waterfronts. The course stresses the responsibility undertaken by these group leaders for safeguarding the young people in their care even when under lifeguard supervision. Visit Safeguard for more information. Visit LifeguardDepot.com to purchase the Safeguard Program USB.