Prerequisite Policies

Introduction

Some Lifesaving Society awards have prior training or age prerequisites to ensure that candidates have the necessary knowledge and ability to achieve success. Affiliates, Instructors, Examiners and Trainers are responsible for checking prerequisites. The Society will not issue awards to candidates who do not have the required prerequisites. Proof of prerequisites must be available to the Instructor, Examiner or Trainer.

Age prerequisites

Minimum age prerequisites must be attained by the last day of the course or the day of the exam. There are no exceptions. Acceptable proof of age includes: birth certificate, driver’s license, health card or passport.

Award prerequisites

Prerequisite awards must be earned prior to the start of the course to which they apply. When two or more awards are offered together (e.g., Emergency First Aid and Bronze Cross), the Society deems the prerequisite award to have been earned in the correct order. Prerequisite awards need not be current (see “Currency” below and WSIB exception for SFA recertifications).

The following are acceptable proof of award prerequisites: a printout from Find a Member; or confirmation using Find a Member Mobile (www.findamember.ca); a Lifesaving Society certification card or current temporary card (expired temporary cards – more than 90 days old – may not be used).

First aid prerequisites

For prerequisite purposes, the Lifesaving Society accepts first aid certifications from approved training agencies for the following:

• Emergency First Aid
• Standard First Aid
• Basic First Aid (CSA Z1210)
• Intermediate First Aid (CSA Z1210)

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 candidates of this prerequisite requirement in promotional materials and at registration locations. Before you submit test sheets to the Society, please attach copies of prerequisites when necessary.

View the full list of WSIB approved first aid training providers here.

Currency

Lifesaving Society certifications are held for life but they are “current” for only 24 months from the date of certification – except for Basic and Intermediate First Aid which are valid for 36 months. To maintain a valid or current certification, award holders must recertify.

Provincial regulation

Ontario regulations identify specific Lifesaving Society certifications as an employment standard and, for employment purposes, establish a limit on the time an individual can work without recertifying. Thus, when a Lifesaving Society certification is being used as a lifeguard or instructor certification under Ontario’s Public Pools Regulation, the award must be “current” – that is, the lifeguard or instructor must hold a certification that is dated “not more than two years prior to the date on which he or she is acting as a lifeguard.” The Regulation defines a 2-year (24 month) currency period for lifeguard or instructor certifications, but a 3-year (36 month) currency period for first aid certifications.

Employers may establish time limits that are shorter than the maximum allowed by regulation. For example, an employer may require the renewal of certifications annually.

Recertification

Award holders are encouraged to maintain up-to-date skills and ability through recertification. Award holders may recertify Lifesaving Society awards at any time regardless of the certification date of the original award – with the exception of Intermediate First Aid, which is subject to the recertification policies for First Aid established by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

WSIB requirement regarding Intermediate First Aid Recertification