Frequently Asked Questions

A:Just click on the 'Donate Now' button and decide if you want your donation to support the Lifesaving Society generally or donate specifically to the Swim to Survive program, youth in lifesaving or research. You can also donate in memory of an individual.

A:In addition to knowing that your donation will help save lives, you can be confident that your donation goes directly to the cause you choose. The Lifesaving Society covers all costs related to donations and does not use third party fundraisers.

A:You can be confident that 100% of your donation goes directly to the cause you choose. The Lifesaving Society covers all costs related to donations and does not use third party fundraisers.

A:Simply email info@lifesaving.bc.ca specifying the date and amount of your donation.

A:he BC & Yukon Branch of the Lifesaving Society does not receive any government funding for its operations. The majority of revenue is gained through candidate fees paid by course participants and annual Affiliate member fees paid by pools running our programs.

A:No funding is currently available for the Swim to Survive program. We are pursuing support from various sources and will advise when funds become available.

A:Yes! Please email info@lifesaving.bc.ca with some background on your area, any issues of significance and how you feel the Lifesaving Society can help.

A:Collaboration between pool management and local school board officials is the best way to provide the Swim to Survive program. Grant funding is not currently available through the Branch.

A:Swim to Survive is the standard the Lifesaving Society defines as the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water, being:

• ROLL into deep water
• TREAD water for one minute
• SWIM 50 metres

Swim to Survive is aimed primarily at children, but people of all ages should be able to perform the Society's Swim to Survive standard.

A:Swim to Survive is different than swimming lessons - and not a replacement for them. Swim to Survive teaches just the essentials needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water - an important first step to being safe around water.

The Lifesaving Society strongly encourages parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons.

A:Swim to Survive Day is a great way to provide survival swimming training to your community. Check out the Swim to Survive in the Community Activity Guide for a full guide on running a Swim to Survive Day.

A:Please use only approved PFDs. This will ensure the correct information is transferred to your swimmers and parents.

A:Contact your local pool for more information as most offer swimming lessons year-round.

A:The WaterWise Team provides boat and water safety presentations to school children throughout BC, covering topics such as the risks of cliff jumping, the importance of wearing a lifejacket, the dangers of boating and drinking, and how to be an advocate for your own safety when in or around the water. The WaterWise Wisdom Presentation is aimed at youth ages 5 and up. It is fun, interactive and free!

A:Send your request by email to waterwiseteam@lifesaving.bc.ca. Scheduling for May can start as early as March.

A:Each presentation is 45 minutes long. The Team will arrive about 15 minutes prior to the presentation to set up.

A:No. We do recommend that those teaching Swim to Survive hold a Lifesaving award such as swim instructor, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross or Lifesaving Instructor. Parents, if you are a competent swimmer you can teach your children the basic skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Check to see if pools have their own instructor prerequisites. To hire an instructor for school outings, camps, Cub and Brownie groups, contact your local facility for more info.

A:You can go straight to Bronze Medallion; however, we highly recommend Bronze Star as it lays the groundwork for success in Bronze Medallion. Candidates will receive practice in lifesaving skills, strategies to be successful at the physical standards and practice exercising judgement in lifesaving situations.

A:At this time, you can take either a stand-alone or combo course for Bronze Medallion. Both fulfill the prerequisite to go on to Bronze Cross because in the combo course, all Bronze Medallion evaluation criteria is tested prior to introducing Bronze Cross course content.

A:Unfortunately, no. For the Instructor to certify you in Bronze Cross, you must demonstrate all evaluation criteria of the Bronze Cross curriculum which includes CPR-C content.

A:As an LSI you are able to teach:

• Rookie, Range, Star Patrol (Canadian Swim Patrol)
• Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross
• Lifesaving for Lay Rescuer
• Safeguard
• Lifesaving Fitness
• Distinction

A:It is recommended that all lifeguards responsible for surveillance hold a current National Lifeguard option aligned for the type of water they are responsible for. This may vary with the Safety Plan for each facility.

A:Lifesaving Sport! Please visit our Lifesaving Sport page to view information on this exciting sport that is the only one where skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes and engages and inspires youth in the drowning prevention mission.

A:Depending on the number and age of guests, you would certainly be wise to hire a lifeguard. Be aware that, for the sake of everyone's safety, the lifeguard will impose pool rules which you need to agree to

A:If you are being hired for a private event (backyard pool party, Brownies lake outing, etc.) the answer is Yes. If you are employed by a municipality, YMCA, YWCA or a private club, you will want to check their coverage for you in your designated role; additional coverage may be a wise choice.

A:Certified lifeguards in Canada hold the National Lifeguard award; ensure it is valid and current. If your event is at a waterfront, it is strongly recommended that the lifeguard hold the Waterfront option of the National Lifeguard program.

A:Junior Lifeguard Clubs are a fun way for youth to learn lifesaving skills. One component is the JLC TeleGames, an inter-club competition held at aquatic facilities throughout the year either during regular club classes or workouts or as an inter-facility or regional competition – all without traveling.

A:Lifesaving Sport! Please visit our Lifesaving Sport page to view information on this exciting sport that is the only one where skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes and engages and inspires youth in the drowning prevention mission.

A:The National Lifeguard® (NL) award builds on the skills, knowledge and values that the Lifesaving Society teaches in its pre-Bronze and Bronze Medal awards to develop the practical skills and knowledge required by lifeguards.

For camps, the Waterfront option is preferred as this additional training focuses on the unique challenges of lifeguarding natural water.

Additional education such as Lifesaving Instructor, First Aid Instructor, canoeing and kayaking courses would also be very helpful.

A:Footwear that is secure at the heel and protects from impact with a cement deck; light runners and sport sandals are good options. Employers often have guidelines on footwear for their staff based on their Health & Safety requirements.

A:The BC & Yukon Branch does not offer the Swim for Life program; check with your employer about opportunities.

A:Please contact the Pool Supervisor as they would be grateful for your feedback. Safety Is everyone’s concern.

A:At this time, there are 19 lifeguard-supervised waterfronts in BC, 11 of those being in the City of Vancouver. Check here (link) for the complete listing.

A:Yes, all Bronze courses can be challenged. This will require the candidate to demonstrate all of the evaluation criteria for the course in one day. If you are interested, approach your local pool.

A:Yes, all Bronze courses can be challenged. This will require the candidate to demonstrate all of the evaluation criteria for the course in one day. If you are interested, approach your local pool.

A:The first step is to review the evaluation criteria that you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful in your Bronze course. You can do this by asking your instructor for specific written feedback so that you know how to improve.

Second, speak to your local pool to book a Bronze challenge. It will require you to demonstrate all of the evaluation criteria for the course in one day.

A:You can go straight to Bronze Medallion; however, we highly recommend Bronze Star as it lays the groundwork for success in Bronze Medallion. Candidates will receive practice in lifesaving skills, strategies to be successful at the physical standards and practice exercising judgement in lifesaving situations.

A:At this time, you can take either a stand-alone or combo course for Bronze Medallion. Both fulfill the prerequisite to go on to Bronze Cross because in the combo course, all Bronze Medallion evaluation criteria is tested prior to introducing Bronze Cross course content.

A:Unfortunately, no. For the Instructor to certify you in Bronze Cross, you must demonstrate all evaluation criteria of the Bronze Cross curriculum which includes CPR-C content.

A:As an LSI you are able to teach

• Rookie, Ranger, Star Patrol (Canadian Swim Patrol)
• Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross
• Lifesaving for Lay Rescuer
• Safeguard
• Lifesaving Fitness
• Distinction

A:You need to be 15 years old by the last day of the course. As the National Lifeguard is a vocational certification, there is no lenience for this prerequisite.

A:No, you must hold a current certification for the setting you are lifeguarding.

A:As a candidate, you will need a Lifeguard Tool Kit (includes a fanny pack, pocket mask, whistle, oropharyngeal airways, scissors) and an Alert manual.

A:No, the process to attain certification includes meeting all evaluation criteria for the course as well as holding all required prerequisites. As the National Lifeguard is a vocational certification, there is no lenience for this. All candidates who take the National Lifeguard course without the required prerequisites will be required to take the course again. Be sure the Standard First Aid certification you hold is from one of the following approved agencies or it will not be accepted: Lifesaving Society, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Heart & Stroke Fdn or Canadian Ski Patrol.

A:No, unlike Bronze courses, National Lifeguard is a non-challengeable exam. Candidates who are unsuccessful in obtaining certification will need to repeat the full course.

A:You will need to successfully complete a National Lifeguard recertification. Check out Find-a-Course online to assist you in finding one in your area.

A:In 2012, Employment and Social Development Canada removed the requirement for Ministry of Labour approval of first aid programs that previously ensured standardized first aid course content. To ensure consistency in standards, we only recognize SFA certifications from approved agencies, being Lifesaving Society, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Heart & Stroke Fdn or Canadian Ski Patrol.

A: Maybe. It depends on what course you took and if it was with an approved agency, being St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Heart & Stroke Fdn or Canadian Ski Patrol. You may not have to take a Standard First Aid course. Refer to the October 2024 Program Guide for clarity as to which courses qualify.

A:Standard First Aid courses are recognized by Lifesaving Society as long as it is from one of the 5 approved agencies, being Lifesaving Society, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Heart & Stroke Fdn or Canadian Ski Patrol.

A:You will need to complete an Out of Jurisdiction Jurisprudence Package. As of July 1, 2019, all Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructors can administer a Jurisprudence package.

A:Each first aid course is unique in what it offers. Please refer to the course descriptions on the Lifesaving Society website and select the course that best suits you. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the office at 604.299.5450.

A: As of July 1, 2019 Lifesaving Society Emergency First Aid, Emergency First Aid Child & Community Care, are both WorkSafeBC OFA Basic equivalent courses and as of November 1, 2024 Standard First Aid is WorkSafeBC OFA Intermediate equivalent courses.

A: For renewal of Emergency First Aid and EFA Child & Community Care attend an original course. For Standard First Aid that requires OFA Intermediate equivalency attend an original course. If OFA equivalency is not required attend a recertification. Be sure to check the Lifesaving Society Find-A-Course to locate a recertification in your area.

A:Yes, if your first aid certification is a CPR A, CPR C, BLS Responder or Airway Management & Oxygen Administration.

No, if your first aid certification is an Emergency First Aid, Emergency First Aid Child & Community Care, Standard First Aid or Standard First Aid Recertification as these are Occupational First Aid Level Basic or Intermediate equivalent and must meet the currency requirement of WorkSafeBC to recertify.

A:Great question! The Lifesaving Society follows the 3D model of teaching (Demonstrate, Describe, Do). This means that candidates get more opportunity to actively practice skills as this is proven to assist in skill recall.

A:Regretfully, you will have to check with them as to why they do not recognize your first aid certification. There should be no reason why the Lifesaving Society first aid certifications are not accepted. Please have your employer contact the Branch to discuss our first aid programs and their recognition.

A:No. AED training is now integrated into our CPR programs, so at minimum you will learn CPR skills.

A:l Lifesaving Society First Aid courses are valid for three (3) years from date of certification with the exception of Basic Life Support Responder (BLS), which is valid for one (1) year from date of certification.

A:No. Our courses are designed with a specific teaching methodology that focuses on practicing skills. As a result, 100% of our first aid courses are taught in person with an instructor who can answer your questions in real time.

A:No. If you are interested in a Standard First Aid course, you will need to complete the full 14-16 hour course with the instructor who will sign that you have met all the evaluation criteria for the SFA course.

A:You will need a Standard First Aid course from an approved agency, being Lifesaving Society, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Heart & Stroke Fdn or Canadian Ski Patrol.

A:All Lifesaving Society First Aid certifications are valid for three (3) years from date of certification, other than Basic Life Support Responder (BLS), which is valid for one (1) year. However, the Lifesaving Society recommends CPR courses be recertified annually to ensure that skills are fresh.

A:Yes, the course was built around Schedule C of the Child Care Licensing Regulation contained within the Community Care and Assisted Living Act which outlines the required content for a course that is recognized by the Ministry of Health for child and residential care workers.

A:As of April 2019, all Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructor recertifications include a Standard First Aid recertification.

A:Approved agencies include any of the following:

Lifesaving Society, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation and Canadian Ski Patrol.

A:Those certified as Lifesaving Instructors and Lifesaving Sport Coach Level 1 can be a JLC coach. If you have a background in competitive coaching in any aquatic sport, Lifesaving Sport will be an exciting new opportunity for you.

A:On our website!

A:Lifesaving sport is the only sport whose skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes. Lifesaving Sport is all about Speed and agility. To learn about the events visit our sport page – GET EXCITED about Lifesaving! Lifesaving Sport combines Lifesaving water rescue skills, speed and endurance to create a dynamic sport.

A:To host a regional competition, either Lifesaving Sport event or a Lifeguard competition consider the following;

• Pool and staff time (one program day from 8am – 6pm)
• Lunch for volunteers
• Providing ribbons and awards
• Proper equipment i.e. stopwatches, first aid equipment for simulations, clipboard.

A:You can register for a competition without a complete team. Registration forms Register the team and fill in the blanks later but be sure you are doing it – teams are often short one person until late in the game.

A:Post on the competition page “ how we play” and the Lifeguard network page – for some regional and for our Provincial Lifeguard Championships you may include a member who is 15 yrs of age with Bronze Cross and SFA.

A:Regionals and Provincials – To be eligible to compete in BC & Yukon Lifeguard championships, competitors

• be a minimum of 15 years of age as of the first day of the championship. Hold a minimum of a Bronze Cross and
• be a Registered BC Athlete

A:Go to Competition Page of our website and download Host package. – please elaborate… what are a few of the basic requirements.

Sanctioned competition The host organizing committee must have the appropriate safety plan, equipment, and Safety Officer in place. No sanctioned competition shall be conducted until the appointed Safety Officer is satisfied that the competition facilities are safe

A:No, but we are working toward that goal so keep an eye out for upcoming clinics.

A:Post on the competition page “ how we play” and the Lifeguard network page. For a Lifesaving Sport Competition, recruit parents who have participated in swim meets, fellow staff, the Swim Club coach! For Lifeguard competitions recruit LS Instructors and National Lifeguard Instructors, First Aid instructors or even your Bronze and NL candidates.

A:Yes, you are welcome to compete in Provincial and National Lifeguard and Lifesaving events, however you must be a nationally registered athlete and in good standing with the BC & Yukon Branch.

A:It is strongly recommended that supervised waterfronts have a Safety Plan, although not required by regulation. Wherever supervision is in place, clear plans must be developed to ensure adequate supervision, rescue management and to plan daily operations.

A: We can help with that - Please call the Manager of Safety Services at 604-299-5450.

A:Please visit the Aquatic Safety Management page for details on the process. Auditors must have extensive aquatics experience and knowledge as well as taking training and apprenticeship prior to becoming an Aquatic Safety Auditor.

A:Clients requesting a safety audit service enter into a contract with the Society which stipulates the scope of the review and the type of report desired. Fees vary depending on these and other variables. For more information, please call the Manager of Safety Services at 604-299-5450.

A:If an incident occurs at your pool, please complete a Post-Incident Review. A Post-Incident Review is often requested by government, coroners, and owner/operators to identify and review the series of events that occurred when a major incident takes place. Following the completion of the incident analysis, the client is provided with a confidential report with findings and recommendations to improve safety in the future. The review is available for all aquatic facilities, swimming pools, waterfront operations, recreational camps, and water parks- Please call the Manager of Safety Services.

A:Upon request, the Lifesaving Society will evaluate an existing Pool Safety Plan and related documents resulting in recommendations to ensure that facilities are compliant with relevant Regulations, Guidelines, and best practices in aquatic safety management. The review is available for all aquatic facilities, swimming pools, waterfront operations, recreational camps and water parks.

A:The BC Swimming Pool Regulation states that children under 7 years of age must be accompanied in a pool. Drowning is quick and silent and although lifeguards may be present, parents and guardians need to directly supervise children and vulnerable people in their care.

A:Regional Health Authorities provide water quality updates on beaches. Public beaches are monitored throughout the swimming season to determine compliance with the Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines, 2012. These guidelines recommend a level of ≤ 200 E.coli bacteria per 100 mL of water for primary contact recreational activities.

In the event of a known hazard or spill, an assessment will be made to determine the possible health risks and the most effective approach to protecting the health of recreational water users. The Medical Health Officer may require local government to post a warning sign indicating “This Water is Contaminated and is Unsafe for Swimming.”

A:Please contact the Pool Supervisor; they will be grateful for your feedback as safety is everyone’s concern.

A:The Safety Management web pages [link] provide national pool and waterfront standards established by the Lifesaving Society's National Safety Standards Commission. The Lifesaving Society is recognized as a leader in developing standards for activities in, on and around water and in clarifying existing provincial/territorial regulations.

A:Safety supervision is the primary task of a lifeguard. Being in an impaired state, for whatever reason, could cause a lifeguard to fail to respond appropriately to a drowning or other aquatic emergency. For legal advice on Cannabis in the Workplace see https://www.lifesaving.bc.ca/legal-advice-cannabis-workplace

Please review your employer's health and safety policies for clear direction on this topic.

A: As one more strategy to prevent drownings in BC & Yukon, the Lifesaving Society offers communities the opportunity to participate in the Public Access Lifering (PAL) Project. Although already visible in some BC locations, more lifering installations on unsupervised public beaches have the potential to save many lives. https://www.lifesaving.bc.ca/content/images/Pdf-file/PAL_Project_Backgrounder.pdf

Please call the Manager of Safety Services at 604-299-5450.

A: Several organizations have built Lifejacket Loaner Stations at waterfronts. Look for one near you or contact the Lifesaving Society if you're interested in supporting the provision of one in your area.

A: All safety equipment and clothing sold by the Society is available in The Shop