Aquatic First Aid (AEC)

As part of the implementation of the new Public Pool Safety Regulation (2025), hotels and campgrounds with a pool of less than 100 m² will now be required to ensure that at least one employee qualified in aquatic first aid is present at all times.

In practice, anyone responsible for the safety of a pool in a tourist accommodation must hold the Aquatic First Aid (AFA) certification.

 

This regulation applies to pools that:

  • Are less than 100 m² in area;
  • Have a depth exceeding 1.4 meters (1400 mm).

See the full details of the regulation here : Regulation.

 

What training is required for which type of pool?

For pools with a depth of less than 1.4 meters, the "First Aid – General" training (16 hours) is sufficient.
Details here: First Aid (16) | Lifesaving Society

This training does not require pool practice.

  • For pools deeper than 1.4 meters, the full Aquatic First Aid (AFA) training is mandatory. It includes a practical pool component.
  • An abbreviated version of the training, the 6-hour AFA, is available to those who already hold a General First Aid certification or a workplace first aid certificate recognized by the Lifesaving Society. 

 

Recognized certifications to access the 6-hour AFA training:

  • General First Aid and CPR/AED Level C – Canadian Red Cross
  • Workplace First Aid – CNESST
  • General First Aid with CPR C & AED – St. John Ambulance
  • Standard First Aid with CPR AED Level C – Heart & Stroke
  • Canadian Ski Patrol
  • Wilderness and Remote First Aid – Advanced & CPR/AED C – Canadian Red Cross
  • First Responder – Canadian Red Cross
  • First Responder recognized by a regional health agency
  • Active Paramedic Technician
  • Aquatic First Aid (other divisions)
  • General First Aid/AED (other divisions of the Lifesaving Society)

 

Why take the Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC) training?

The AFA/AED (20 hours) or AFA/AED (6 hours) training effectively prepares your staff to respond to emergencies in an aquatic environment. It is designed to meet legal requirements and ensure the safety of your clients.
It includes, among other things:

  • Basic rescue techniques in a swimming pool
  • The safe approach to a victim in an aquatic environment
  • Handling a spinal injury in the water
  • Rescuing an unconscious or distressed person
  • Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Administering epinephrine via auto-injector
  • Basic care for common injuries (cuts, fractures, trauma, etc.)
  • Quickly recognizing signs of medical distress

 

A mobile service tailored to your needs

Affiliates of the Lifesaving Society can travel directly to your hotel or campground to provide on-site training.

The practical component takes place in your pool, making it easier to integrate the learning into the real-life context of your environment.

 


Where to take the training?

This training is offered by several affiliates of the Société de sauvetage across Quebec.

To find a trainer or center near you, consult the list of our affiliates here:

 

1. Sécurmax Sauvetage et Secourisme Inc.

819 536-5854

bryanluckerhoff@hotmail.com

www.securmaxsauvetageetsecourisme.ca/cours-et-requalifications-soins-d-u...

 

2. Élite Sauvetage

514 526-2975

info@elitesauvetage.ca

www.elitesauvetage.ca/services/developpement-de-competences-avancees/

 

3. Formaction

1-888 668-7381, ext. 501

info@formaction.ca www.formaction.ca/

 

4. Formation Vitale

514 679-1616

info@formationvitale.com

www.formationvitale.com/societe-de-sauvetage/

 

Protect your clients. Train your staff.

Adopt a responsible approach that complies with regulations by ensuring your employees are certified in Aquatic Emergency Care.

 


 

To take the training

 

 

PREREQUISITES 

AEC 20h: No prerequisite 

AEC 6h: up-to-date Standard first aid certificate or up-to-date First aid from CNESST   

 

AWARD VALIDITY 

2 years 

 

COURSE CONTENT 

GENERAL ITEMS  

Item 1 - Standard first aid principles 

Item 2 - Legal aspects of an intervention 

Item 3 - Emergency procedures 

Item 4 - Carrying an injured victim 

Item 5 - Communications with the emergency response services 

Item 6 - Anatomy and physiology 

Item 7 - Prehospital assessment 

Item 8 - Primary assessment 

 

RESUSCITATION  

Item 10 - Chain of Survival™ 

Item 11 - Resuscitation techniques – Adult and child 

Item 12 - Airway obstruction – Conscious adult and child 

Item 13 - Airway obstruction – Unconscious adult and child 

Item 14 - Rescue breathing complications or specific situations 

Item 15 - AED operation 

Item 16 - Two-rescuer CPR and AED 

 

MEDICAL 

Item 17 - Shock / fainting 

Item 18a - Convulsions 

Item 18b - Glycemia-related problems 

Item 19a - Cardiovascular emergencies 

Item 19b - Respiratory emergencies 

Item 19c - Intoxication 

Item 19d - Abdominal pains 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

Item 20a - Cold-related problems 

Item 20b - Heat-related problems 

Item 20c - Burns 

Item 20d - Drowning 

 

TRAUMA 

Item 21 - Bleeding 

Item 22 - Head and spinal injuries  

Item 23a - Musculo-skeletal injuries – Upper limbs 

Item 23b - Soft tissue injuries 

Item 23c - Thoracic injuries 

Item 23d - Facial injuries 

 

RESCUE   

Item 25 - Entries / Removals 

Item 26- Management of a spinal injury in an aquatic environment 

Item 27a - Rescue - Unconscious victim 

Item 27b - Rescue - Non-swimmer victim 

Item 27c - Rescue - Injured victim 

Item 27d - Rescue - Submerged victim