Members > Policies

Policies

Our Essential Policies

In this section, you’ll find essential information about our policies, including the Code of Conduct, Certification Review, Privacy, and Inclusion Policies. We cover Prerequisites for courses, Lifesaving Society Transfer Policies, and Recertification requirements.

Policies

The Lifesaving Society’s reputation in aquatic safety and its status as a charitable organization impose high expectations of professional and ethical behaviour. The Society’s reputation depends on the integrity of its volunteers, instructors, staff and other representatives. Members of the Society carry a high burden of trust.

The way in which that trust is discharged determines to a great extent the Society’s success and the place of pride it enjoys in the aquatic community and in society at large. Individuals and organizations that interact with the Society can expect a high level of integrity and respect from the Society. This code of conduct outlines the ethical standards of conduct expected of individuals, employees, volunteers interacting with the Society, and details the Society’s policy with respect to workplace discrimination, bullying and harassment and workplace violence.

Download

Under the Lifesaving Society’s certification review policy, a certification review committee conducts confidential investigations of serious complaints and recommends appropriate action that may include probation, suspension, revocation of appointment or decertification. The policy applies to holders of Lifesaving Society leadership appointments including instructors, coaches and trainers who deliver the Society’s program to others. The policy may apply to other award holders including lifeguards who fail to maintain or reflect the Society’s standards. All concerns should be brought forward to the Society in writing and addressed to the Lifesaving Society British Columbia & Yukon Branch Executive Director.

Download

The Lifesaving Society respects the individual’s right to privacy and is committed to keeping personal information accurate, confidential, secure, and private. Except as specifically outlined in this policy, the Society does not disclose any individual’s personal information to any third parties.

What We Collect and Why: The Lifesaving Society collects information required to provide services to members and other individuals. This includes an individual’s name, address, phone number, email address, birth date, gender, and payment information.

Download

The Lifesaving Society’s training programs are designed to maximize the participation and success of individuals of various ages, skill levels and abilities. The Lifesaving Society encourages its Affiliate Members to use their discretion in the placement and advancement of individuals with special needs. For example, if more practice would correct a problem identified by the instructor, then it is in the best interest of the participant to remain at the same level.

The Society recognizes that some individuals may be unable to achieve all the performance criteria (Must Sees) for some items. In the Society’s Swim for Life®, Swim to Survive Programs, Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Junior Lifeguard Club, Lifesaving Fitness, and Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals programs, if an individual can complete the item(s) with modifications or otherwise achieve the purpose statement(s), then the programmer/instructor should advance the participant to the next level as long as this does not compromise the safety of the individual or others.

While the Society welcomes the participation in vocational certifications and other Lifesaving Society rescue awards, certification is based solely on an individual’s ability to meet the performance criteria (Must Sees) without modification. Those lifesaving awards include Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross. Vocational certifications include: National Lifeguard, all Instructor awards, Coaching awards, Trainer appointments and in all First Aid awards.

Download

The Lifesaving Society will not issue certifications to candidates who do not have the required prerequisites.
The Lifesaving Society alone determines the prerequisites to its training programs. The Lifesaving Society will not:

Waive prerequisites to its certifications or Lifesaving Sport eligibility requirements; or
Grant equivalency status to any other national or international agency’s Assistant Lifeguard or Lifeguard award.

Award Prerequisites: Prerequisite awards must be earned prior to the start of the course to which they apply. Prerequisite awards need not be current.

Prerequisite awards must be checked on the first day of the course. If a candidate cannot provide proof of prerequisites (e.g., forgot their certification at home), they must show proof of prerequisites by the second day of the course (if applicable).

Candidates who cannot present proof of prerequisites by the second day of a course are not permitted to continue in the course.

When two or more awards are offered together (e.g., Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross), the Society deems the prerequisite award to have been earned in the correct order.

Acceptable verification of prerequisite awards are:

A Lifesaving Society temporary card current within 60 days.
A Lifesaving Society issued certification card.
A Lifesaving Society Find-a-Member print-out with a verification code. Instructors must enter the verification code on the Lifesaving Society’s website to confirm proof of awards.
Lifesaving Society awards verified on the Lifesaving Society’s website using Find- a-Member.
First Aid certification card issued from St. John Ambulance, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Red Cross, or Canadian Ski Patrol.

Age Prerequisites: Minimum age requirements must be attained by the day of certification. There are no exceptions.

Age prerequisites can be confirmed by government-issued identification (e.g., birth certificate, passport, BC Services Card, driver’s license, or other legal government-issued identification).

More than One Award Per Day: Candidates may be evaluated for more than one award per day, provided they hold the prerequisites. When two or more awards are evaluated together, the Society deems the prerequisite award to have been earned in the correct order. Candidates being evaluated for an award must complete all items required for that award.

Other Lifesaving Society Branches: Prerequisites from other Lifesaving Society Branches in Canada are recognized. Awards must be transferred from their home Branch before certification can be issued in BC & Yukon.

Foreign Certifications: Individuals with foreign awards may request a review of their certifications to determine what training should be undertaken to acquire the appropriate Canadian certification(s).

This policy replaces:

Prerequisite Policy (2020)

Download

Current Lifesaving Instructors:

Sign an Instructor Letter of Agreement
If you have completed the Bronze Medals Update 2021, this will be added to your account. If we do not have it on file you will need to reach out to your home branch to check if you have completed it.
The Bronze Medals Update 2021 is a prerequisite for the new LSI Recert cycle, which launched January 1, 2023. This includes a new Bronze Medals Award Guide & a new Bronze Medals Instructor Guide. If needed, you can complete it in BC & YK.

Current Swim Instructors:

Update your address to a BC or Yukon mailing address (if applicable)

Current Swim Instructors:

Update your address to a BC or Yukon mailing address (if applicable).

Current National Lifeguard Instructors:

Sign an Instructor Letter of Agreement
Contact the Education Manager for more information.

Current Lifesaving First Aid Instructors:

Completed a First Aid Instructor Transfer Course; which focuses on program policies, provincial legislative requirements (WorkSafeBC) and specific training requirements. (Cost includes all your training manuals.)
Complete the online AMOA Instructor module
Submitted a completed First Aid Transfer Training Package which will include a successful co-teach on a Lifesaving Emergency First Aid (OFA Level 1) course or a Lifesaving Standard First Aid Recertification with a National Trainer or Apprenticeship Supervisor. This is a WorkSafeBC requirement and cannot be waived.
Sign an Instructor Letter of Agreement

Current Trainers:

Trainers are appointed by the Branch, all Trainers must contact the Branch prior to teaching.

Please contact the Education Manager for more information.

Current National Trainers:

National Trainers are appointed by the Branch.

Please contact the Education Manager for more information.

Aquatic Safety Management Training

Please contact our Education Manager for more information.

Lifesaving Sport Certifications

Please contact our Program Manager for more information.

First Aid Instructor Inter-Agency Transfer Policy:

In recognition of the skills and experience qualified Canadian First Aid Instructors from specific agencies can bring to our program, First Aid Instructors who are currently certified with the: Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Ski Patrol or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, may be eligible to become Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructors by completing the First Aid Instructor Transfer Course:

This course includes all the course manuals required for teaching.

Attend the FAI Transfer course online
Complete a Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon SFA Recert
Co-teach on a Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon EFA course
Submit your paperwork to your regional National Trainer for review.

International Certification Transfer Policy:

Since each country has its own legislative requirements and each training agency has its own curriculum, we accept only Canadian Certifications. At the British Columbia & Yukon Branch, international candidates and instructors will need to obtain Canadian certifications in First Aid, Lifesaving, and Lifeguarding.

Recognizing that many international candidates have extensive skills and knowledge, we advise you to send a copy of your certifications to the branch for further review. Some International awards may be equivalent to a Bronze Medallion. This would allow you to bypass the first step and move directly to taking or taking/challenging the Bronze Cross certification. This is not a universal rule and not all international awards will transfer.

Lifesaving Instructor & Trainer Recertification Policy

A Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) and Lifesaving Trainer (LST) certification is valid for two (2) years. After two years the LSI/LST will need to attend an in-person recertification in order to teach any of the Lifesaving programs or the Lifesaving Instructor courses. Certification extensions will not be granted.

If an expired LSI/LST submits a test sheet, the candidates will not be certified and will need to be re-evaluated by a current LSI/LST.

The Lifesaving Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification Policy states:

Any Lifesaving Instructor or Lifesaving Trainer who is within five (5) years from the date of certification/recertification can recertify by attending a recertification.
The new National Leadership System recognizes that competencies can be developed through a variety of methods and that these methods are often based on the individual. To honour this, any Lifesaving Instructor or Lifesaving Trainer who is more than five (5) years from the date of certification/recertification can contact the Branch office to determine an individual pathway for recertifying their certification. The pathway may include any or all of the following:
- Purchase a copy of the current Lifesaving resources from the Branch.
- Recertify Bronze Cross
- Successfully completing an LSI Recertification
- Successfully completing a Trainer Recertification
- Apprentice on a Bronze course
- Apprentice on a Lifesaving Instructor course
- Work with a National Trainer on competency development

NL Instructor/Trainer Recertification Policy

A National Lifeguard Instructor (NLI) and National Lifeguard Trainer (NLT) certification is valid for two (2) years. After two years the NLI/NLT will need to attend an in-person recertification in order to teach any of the NL programs or the National Lifeguard Instructor courses. Certification extensions will not be granted.

If an expired NLI/NLT submits a test sheet, the candidates will not be certified and will need to be re-evaluated by a current NLI/NLT.

The National Lifeguard Instructor/National Lifeguard Trainer Recertification Policy states:

Any National Lifeguard Instructor or National Lifeguard Trainer who is within five (5) years from the date of certification/recertification can recertify by attending a recertification.
The new National Leadership System recognizes that competencies can be developed through a variety of methods and that these methods are often based on the individual. To honour this, any National Lifeguard Instructor or National Lifeguard Trainer who is more than five (5) years from the date of certification/recertification can contact the Branch office to determine an individual pathway for recertifying their certification. The pathway may include any or all of the following:
- Purchase a copy of the current National Lifeguard resources from the Branch.
- Recertify National Lifeguard options
- Successfully completing an NLI Recertification
- Successfully completing a Trainer Recertification
- Apprentice on a National Lifeguard course
- Apprentice on a National Lifeguard Instructor course
- Work with a National Trainer on competency development

First Aid Instructor and Instructor Trainer Policy:

A Lifesaving First Aid Instructor and Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Trainer certification is valid for three (3) years. After three years the FAI/FAIT will need to attend a recertification to teach any of the Lifesaving First Aid programs or the First Aid Instructor courses. Certification extensions will not be granted. If an expired FAI/FAIT submits a test sheet, the candidates will not be certified, and they will need to be re-evaluated by a current FAI/FAIT.

The Lifesaving First Aid Instructor/Trainer Recertification Policy states that:

Any Lifesaving First Aid Instructor or Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Trainer who is within 5 years from the date of certification/recertification can recertify by attending a First Aid Instructor Recertification.
Any Lifesaving First Aid Instructor or Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Trainer who is within 5-10 years from the date of certification/recertification can recertify by completing a bridging package. The bridging steps include:
Any Lifesaving First Aid Instructor or Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Trainer who is more than 10 years past the date of certification/recertification will be required to take the FAI Short course again with the required apprenticeships.
- Purchase a copy of the current Lifesaving First Aid or FAI resources from the Branch.
- Recertify Standard First Aid
- Complete the First Aid/CPR Online Update (1 hour)
- Attend a Lifesaving First Aid Instructor Recertification
- FAITs will be required to apprentice on 1 FAI full course once reappointed as a Lifesaving First Aid Instructor.
- Submit the completed bridging package to the Branch office for review and approval – Keep a copy for your records.

Instructor/Trainer Recertification Policy

A Lifesaving First Aid Instructor (FAI) and Lifesaving First Aid Trainer (FAT) certification is valid for three (3) years. After three years the FAI/FAT will need to attend a recertification to teach any of the Lifesaving First Aid programs or the First Aid Instructor courses. Certification extensions will not be granted.

If an expired FAI/FAT submits a test sheet, the candidates will not be certified, and they will need to be re-evaluated by a current FAI/FAT.

The First Aid Instructor/Trainer Recertification Policy states:

Any First Aid Instructor who is within three (3) years from the date of certification/recertification can recertify by attending a recertification if they have taught a minimum of two (2) Lifesaving OFA Level 1 equivalent courses in the last three (3) years.
Any First Aid Instructor who is more than three (3) years from the date of certification/recertification can recertify by:
- Purchasing a copy of the current Lifesaving First Aid program resources
- Successfully completing a First Aid Instructor Recertification
- Submitting a completed Training Record; which will include a successful co-teach on an Emergency First Aid (OFA Level 1) course or a Standard First Aid (OFA Level 1) course.
Any First Aid Trainer who is within five (5) years from the date of certification/recertification and holds a current First Aid Instructor certification can recertify by attending a Trainer recertification.
The new National Leadership System recognizes that competencies can be developed through a variety of methods and that these methods are often based on the individual. To honour this, any First Aid Trainer who is more than five (5) years from the date of certification/recertification can contact the Branch office to determine an individual pathway for recertifying their certification. The pathway may include any or all of the following:
- Purchase a copy of the current First Aid program resources from the Branch
- Successfully complete an Emergency First Aid (OFA Level 1) course
- Successfully complete a Standard First Aid (OFA Level 1) course
- Successfully complete a FAI Recertification
- Successfully complete a Trainer Recertification
- Apprentice on an Emergency First Aid (OFA Level 1) course or a Standard First Aid (OFA Level 1) course
- Apprentice on a First Aid Instructor course
- Work with a National Trainer on competency development