Aquatic Leadership

Lifeguards and Swim Instructors teach vital life skills, keep people safe and save lives. Leadership courses teach teamwork, communication and decision making skills that last a lifetime.

Become a lifeguard and swim instructor

The Access Water Park offers Lifesaving Society courses that train you to be a lifeguard and swimming instructor. Recertification courses are scheduled throughout the year for lifeguards looking to maintain their skills and keep their certification current.

Register Online

Aquatic leadership programs and career opportunities

Aquatic leadership courses

Lifeguard training steps

Bronze Star

Bronze Star is an optional preparation training option for success in Bronze Medallion. In Bronze Star, participants develop problem solving and decision-making skills. Skills evaluated include a 400 metre timed swim, basic CPR and rescue of a non-swimmer.

Prerequisite: None

Bronze Medallion

The Lifesaving Society's Bronze Medallion Award teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education - judgement, knowledge, skill and fitness.

Rescuers learn tows and carries, and defense and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 500 metre timed swim.

Currency: Two years

Prerequisite: Minimum age 13 or completion of Bronze Star

Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training. This includes an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Lifesaving Instructor certifications. Includes a 600 metre timed swim.

Currency: Two years

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion

Standard first aid and CPR-C (SFA) with AED or Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC)

The Lifesaving Standard First Aid course provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. This course is Occupational Health and Safety approved in Saskatchewan and in Canada. Aquatic Emergency Care teaches everything included in the SFA course and builds on this with special skills for lifeguards in aquatic rescues.

Currency: Two years for AEC, three years for SFA

Prerequisite: None

National Lifeguard – Pool

The National Lifeguard certification is Canada's professional lifeguard standard.

National Lifeguard training emphasizes prevention and effective rescue response in emergencies, including first aid treatment. Candidates develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Fitness requirements include a timed object recovery, 50 metre sprint challenge, 50 metre rescue drill and 400 metre endurance challenge.

Currency: Two years

Pre-Requisite: Minimum 16 years of age, Bronze Cross Award (need not be current), Standard First Aid/CPR-C award or Aquatic Emergency Care award.

Only the following four organizations' Standard First Aid/CPR C awards will be recognized as a prerequisite:

1) Lifesaving Society

2) Canadian Red Cross

3) Canadian Ski Patrol

4) St. John Ambulance

Swim for Life and Lifesaving Instructor

The Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life and Lifesaving Instructor awards provide candidates with theory, knowledge and skills and practice to teach swimming and aquatic leadership.

Currency: Two years

Pre-Requisite: Minimum 16 years of age, Bronze Cross Award (need not be current)

National Lifeguard – Water Park

National Lifeguard Waterpark provides advanced training to develop the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices and the decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in waterpark environments.

Currency: Two years

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard – Pool

Aquatic Supervisor Training

This is a course for first and second year pool managers and/or head lifeguards. The course will prepare lifeguards and instructors for the new responsibilities and challenges they will face when being placed “in charge” of an aquatic environment.

Pre-requisites: Lifesaving Instructor, National Lifeguard (any option) and 100 hours of work as a lifeguard and/or instructor (in either a paid or unpaid position – prior to the start of the course; written proof of 100 hours required).

Recertification courses

Re-certification courses are held each season. Check our schedule to see when we are offering courses. You can also register and pay online in advance.

We host recertification for:

  • National Lifeguard – Pool
  • National Lifeguard – Water Park
  • Aquatic Emergency Care
  • Standard First Aid
  • CPR-C

Note: People looking who hold a Standard First Aid certificate from one of the following organizations can recertify through the Lifesaving Society:

Work at the Access Water Park
The minimum requirements to work as a lifeguard at the Access Water Park are:
  • 16 years of age
  • Standard First Aid or Aquatic Emergency Care
  • National Lifeguard (Pool)
Other preferred certifications include:
  • Swim for Life and Lifesaving Instructor
  • National Lifeguard – Water Park
  • Aquatic Supervisor Training

Career opportunities

Lifeguards are always in demand. The Access Water Park offers flexible hours for casual employees and students that includes early morning, daytime, evening and weekend shifts. Work in a friendly, team oriented atmosphere and develop leadership skills that last a lifetime.

Check to see if we are currently recruiting lifeguards.