Recertifications
LIFESAVING CERTIFICATE
Lifesaving certificates requiring requalification every TWO (2) YEARS are as follows:
- National Lifeguard - Pool
- National Lifeguard - Beach
- Bronz Medallion (in french only)
- Bronz Cross (in french only)
DID YOU KNOW ?
An expired National Lifeguard certification can be renewed at any time (3, 5, or even 20 years after its expiration date) to be valid again as a work permit.
Recertification process
Here are the steps to requalify :
STEP #1 :
Train for skill and fitness assessment.
(You will find all the information for your preparation on the page ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, REQUAL!)
STEP #2 :
Review rescue protocols using the Canadian Lifesaving Manual, Canadian First Aid Manual, National Lifeguard Recertification Participant's Guide and the Alert! : Aquatic supervision in action Manual.
STEP #3 :
Register for a requalification exam* offered in one of the affiliated aquatic center.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
If you have any questions, concerns, or simply want support in preparing for requalification, please do not hesitate to contact the Lifesaving Society directly. We will put you in touch with one of our Volunteer Mentors who will be happy to help you with this process.
* Note that it is important to plan your requalification two or three months before the expiry date of your patent, because the expiry dates cannot be postponed under any circumstances, not even by one day.
FAILURE TO REQUALIFY
A candidate who fails their recertification must complete additional training with an instructor before retaking the recertification session.
If a candidate fails the National Lifeguard recertification exam, the certification that has not yet expired will not be revoked. However, they will need to pass a new recertification before the expiration date of their certification in order to continue working as a lifeguard.
In the event of a second failure, it is recommended that the candidate retake the training. However, there is no maximum number of attempts following recertification failures.
For more information regarding a recertification failure before the certification's expiration, please contact the Society of Lifeguards at alerte@sauvetage.qc.ca.
why requalify
According to the Regulation respecting safety in public baths some certificates are only recognized as work permits if they are requalified after a certain period of time.
A requalification is an examination in which the knowledge, skills and physical fitness of a certificate holder are evaluated. It ensures that the holder is always able to perform his duties correctly, without having to redo a complete training. Participants should therefore prepare accordingly.
All other rescue training certificates must be updated by redoing the complete training or requalifying the previous certificates.