Aquatic leadership and employment

Get started on the path to become a lifeguard!

Learn about the 4 components of water rescue education, including judgement, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries as well as defense methods and releases to stay safe in challenging higher risk rescue situations.

This program includes Emergency First Aid (EFA) and CPR B certification. This program is recognized as the waterfront supervisory certification for Ontario's Recreational Camp Regulation 568 and is among the first steps toward an exciting and rewarding job as a lifeguard!

Prerequisite: 13 years of age or Bronze Star

Required Course Manual­: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (used for both Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses). 

This program is 2nd Chance Eligible.

Learn more advanced lifesaving and supervision skills.

Challenge yourself with more advanced training and be introduced to aquatic safety supervision. This program is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safety supervision in aquatic facilities.

Prerequisite for all advanced training programs including the National Lifeguard (NL) and Swim Instructor certifications. Standard First Aid (SFA) and CPR C certification included.

Bronze Cross is recognized as an assistant lifeguard certification in Ontario's Public Swimming Pool Regulation 565 and is an important step toward an exciting and rewarding job as a lifeguard!

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid CPR B certifications

Required Course Manual­: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (used for both Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses). 

This program is 2nd Chance Eligible.

Start learning how to teach others to swim.

Learn to help instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes through classroom learning and in-water practice. Candidates are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching while they master basic progressions.

The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized and are aimed to expose candidates to the aquatic environment. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates are required to complete 10 to 12 hours of volunteer teaching experience prior to the start of their Swim and Lifesaving Instructor (SI/LSI) program.

Prerequisite: Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard and 14 years of age by end of course

Required Course Manual­: None

This program is 2nd Chance Eligible.

Canada's only nationally recognized lifeguard certification.

Develop an understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgement, and a mature and responsible attitude toward the lifeguard’s role.

This is the only certificate recognized in Ontario for lifeguarding public swimming pools.

Through this program, an emphasis is put on prevention and effective rescue response in emergencies including first aid treatment.  Candidates develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills while improving fitness through practical skill development.

Prerequisite: Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid with CPR C and age 15 by end of course.

Required Course Manual­: Alert: Lifeguarding in Action Manual. 

This program is 2nd Chance Eligible.

Learn to teach swimming lessons, first aid, and leadership.

Includes two courses:  Swim Instructor (SI) where you will further learn how to teach others the Swim for Life program & Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) where you will learn how to teach Swim Patrol and the Bronze programs.

Swim Instructor (SI) prepares candidates to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques.

Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) prepares candidates to plan, teach, and evaluate lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in a majority of the Lifesaving Society's leadership and first aid programs.

Prerequisite: Bronze Cross, Assistant Instructor and age 15 by end of course

Required Course Manual­: Lifesaving Society Swim and Lifesaving Instructor Course Pack (6 books). 

This program is 2nd Chance Eligible.

Candidates are required to bring and provide proof of prerequisites to the course. Candidates who fail to provide required proof of prerequisites will be removed the program and will not be certified. At all times the responsibility rests on the candidate to provide proof. Proof of prerequisites include current temporary certification cards, permanent certification cards, or a valid LSS ID number. Prerequisite courses cannot be taken simultaneously alongside the course they apply to – you must hold the prerequisite certification prior to attending the next course.

Aquatic leadership programs require 100% attendance at all times. Content may be covered that is not reviewed in subsequent classes. Please plan to be available for each and every class and to actively participate in class. If you are absent due to illness or extenuating circumstances, please email aquatics@london.ca. Accommodations will only be provided on a case by case basis at the discretion of the instructor and managing supervisor. Often due to course schedules, in-water skill demonstration, and instructor availability, we cannot accommodate missed classes.

The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board require that if the last Standard First Aid course you took was a full (16 hour) course you must complete your recertification before the date of expiry on your current Standard First Aid card (3 years from the date of issue). You must also recertify with the original certifying agency. If your certification is expired, you are required to take a full Standard First Aid course again. If the last Standard First Aid course you took was a recertification, you must take a full Standard First Aid course.

Any candidate that is unsuccessful in any aquatic leadership program is eligible to retake that program at a one-time discount of up to 80%.  We want to ensure that candidates demonstrate competency in the skills and meet all required content standards as set by the Lifesaving Society of Ontario.  First Aid programs (EFA, SFA, AM & HCP, Recert) are not eligible for the 2nd chance program.

• Flexible hours and shifts
• Course discounts for employees
• Workplace rewards & recognition
• Employee access to pools to maintain skills and fitness
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Highest wages in London & Middlesex​​​​​​

• Swim Instructor (SI)
• Lifesaving Instructor (LSI)
• National Lifeguard
• Standard First Aid with CPR-C
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSC)
• 15 years of age​​​​​​

Successful applicants whom meet the above requirements will be invited to one of our hiring clinics.  This step includes both wet & dry components.  During the dry session you will be expected to complete a small team building activity and tell us a little more about yourself.  During the wet session you’ll be expected to demonstrate NL physical standards and a peer teaching activity.  Further information on these requirements is included in your invitation package that you will receive upon invitation.