Aquatic First Aid (AEC)
The Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC) course prepares participants to respond effectively to emergencies in aquatic environments. It combines first aid skills with emergency response and rescue techniques adapted to swimming pools.
This course meets the new requirements outlined in Chapter IX – Swimming Areas of the Safety Code, which came into effect on July 17, 2025. The Lifesaving Society is recognized as a competent organization authorized to issue the required aquatic safety certifications.
A New Requirement for Certain Tourism Establishments
In certain swimming pools at tourist accommodation or restaurant establishments where the water surface area does not exceed 100 m², regulations permit operation without a lifeguard or attendant on duty, provided several conditions are met.
When the pool depth does not exceed 1.4 m, a person at least 16 years old holding a valid first aid certificate obtained through a course of at least 16 hours must be present on the premises and readily accessible. Additional conditions also apply regarding access, the number of swimmers, supervision of children, and safety equipment.
When the pool depth exceeds 1.4 m, this person must instead hold a valid aquatic first aid certificate issued by a competent organization. Additional requirements also apply, including clearly identifying the deep end and providing personal flotation devices (PFDs).
The Lifesaving Society's Aquatic Emergency Care course meets this aquatic first aid qualification requirement.
The 16-hour Standard First Aid course meets the first aid training requirements established by the regulations, provided all other applicable conditions are met. This course does not require practical training in a swimming pool.
An aquatic first aid certification issued by a competent organization is required. The Aquatic Emergency Care course includes practical training in a swimming pool.
The complete course lasts 20 hours and has no prerequisites.
It develops skills in:
Basic pool rescue techniques;
Safely approaching a person in distress in the water;
Responding to an unconscious person or someone in distress;
Managing spinal injuries in the water;
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED);
Administering epinephrine using an auto-injector;
Providing first aid for injuries and medical emergencies.
An abbreviated 6-hour course is available to individuals who already hold certain recognized first aid or emergency care qualifications.
Eligible certifications include the Lifesaving Society's Standard First Aid/AED certification, CNESST Workplace First Aid certification, and certain other recognized equivalent certifications.
Certifications Recognized for Admission to the 6-Hour AEC Course:
Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C – Canadian Red Cross
Workplace First Aid – CNESST
Standard First Aid with CPR-C & AED – St. John Ambulance
Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C – Heart & Stroke
Canadian Ski Patrol
Advanced Wilderness and Remote First Aid & CPR/AED Level C – Canadian Red Cross
First Responder – Canadian Red Cross
First Responder certification recognized by a regional health authority
Active Primary Care Paramedic
Aquatic Emergency Care (another Lifesaving Society branch)
Standard First Aid/AED (other Lifesaving Society branches)
Training Adapted to the Workplace
The course can be delivered directly at certain hotels, campgrounds, and other establishments concerned by these requirements. Practical training can take place in the establishment's swimming pool, allowing participants to learn in an environment that reflects the facility's actual characteristics.
Lifesaving Society affiliate members can assist organizations in planning and delivering the training.
Prerequisites
AEC – 20 hours: No prerequisites.
AEC – 6 hours: Hold a recognized first aid or emergency care certification that meets the eligibility requirements.
Certification Validity
The Aquatic Emergency Care certification is valid for 2 years.
To maintain certification, participants must successfully complete a 4-hour Aquatic Emergency Care recertification.
GENERAL CONCEPTS
- Item 1 – General principles of first aid
- Item 2 – Anatomy and physiology
- Item 3 – Legal aspects of emergency response
- Item 4 – Transporting an injured victim
- Item 5 – Emergency procedures
- Item 6 – Communication with emergency medical services (EMS)
- Item 7 – Prehospital clinical assessment
- Item 8 – Primary assessment
- Item 9 – Secondary assessment
RESUSCITATION
- Item 10 – Chain of Survival™
- Item 11 – Resuscitation techniques – Adults, children, and infants
- Item 12 – Airway obstruction – Conscious adults, children, and infants
- Item 13 – Airway obstruction – Unconscious adults, children, and infants
- Item 14 – Resuscitation complications and special situations
- Item 15 – AED knowledge and operation
- Item 16 – Automated external defibrillation with one or two rescuers
FIRST AID
- Item 17 – Shock / fainting
- Item 18 – Seizures and diabetic emergencies
- Item 19a – Cardiovascular emergencies
- Item 19b – Respiratory emergencies
- Item 19c – Poisoning / intoxication
- Item 19d – Abdominal pain
- Item 20a – Cold-related emergencies
- Item 20b – Heat-related emergencies
- Item 20c – Burns
- Item 20d – Electrical injuries / electrocution
- Item 20e – Fatal and non-fatal drowning
- Item 21 – Bleeding
- Item 22 – Head and spinal injuries
- Item 23a – Musculoskeletal injuries – Upper limbs
- Item 23b – Musculoskeletal injuries – Lower limbs
- Item 23c – Soft tissue injuries
- Item 23d – Chest injuries
- Item 23e – Facial injuries
LIFESAVING
- Item 25 – Entries and exits
- Item 26 – Spinal injuries in aquatic environments
- Item 27a – Rescue – Unconscious victim
- Item 27b – Rescue – Non-swimmer
- Item 27c – Rescue – Injured victim
- Item 27d – Rescue – Submerged victim