Lifesaving Instructor
The Lifesaving Society’s Leadership program courses and teaching internships provide a pathway to becoming a Lifesaving Instructor and then an Instructor Trainer, allowing participants to share their knowledge with the next generation of lifesaving professionals.
Lifesaving Instructors share their experience and passion for lifesaving with future lifeguards by teaching first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and lifesaving techniques and skills.
They are qualified to teach the following courses:
Junior Lifeguard
Bronze Star
Bronze Medallion
Bronze Cross
Lifesaving Fitness
Distinction
CPR
In addition, instructors who hold a Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructor certification may also teach Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC).
Duration
32 hours for candidates holding a Bronze Cross certification
16 hours for candidates holding a Swim Instructor certification
Prerequisites
Be at least 15 years old
Hold a Bronze Cross certification
Certification Validity
2 years
The National Lifeguard Instructor course provides candidates with an understanding of the principles and practices underlying the National Lifeguard program and explores teaching approaches and techniques appropriate for candidates.
Participants receive Level 3 training in competencies, skills, knowledge, and attitudes.
Duration
20-hour core course: initial foundational training.
Candidates must then complete a teaching internship in their chosen specialization to obtain their instructor certification.
Prerequisites
Hold a Lifesaving Instructor certification
Hold a National Lifeguard certification
Have taught a Bronze Medallion course and a Bronze Cross course
Have evaluated a Bronze Medallion course and a Bronze Cross course
Teaching Internship for Certification
After completing the 20-hour initial core course, National Lifeguard Instructor candidates must choose a specialization in which to complete their teaching internship:
National Lifeguard Instructor – Waterpark
National Lifeguard Instructor – Surf
National Lifeguard Instructor – Pool
National Lifeguard Instructor – Waterfront
This course combines Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor training. Once certified, candidates are qualified to teach both swimming and lifesaving courses.
Instructors who complete the combined course may teach all courses in the Swim for Life and Swim to Survive programs, as well as:
Junior Lifeguard
Bronze Star
Bronze Medallion
Bronze Cross
Duration
40 hours (based on a class of 12 to 16 candidates).
The actual time required may vary depending on the course format, number of candidates, and selected learning activities. Additional time must be allocated for breaks.
Prerequisites
Be at least 15 years old by the last day of the course
Hold at least a Bronze Cross certification
Certification Validity
2 years
Instructor Trainers are leaders within the lifesaving community and serve as valuable resources whose expertise and passion are essential to developing the next generation of instructors in lifesaving and first aid.
This course is designed for candidates who wish to share their knowledge and contribute to maintaining the quality of instruction delivered by Lifesaving Society instructors.
Duration
20 hours
Prerequisites
Hold a Swim Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, First Aid Instructor, or National Lifeguard Instructor certification
Have teaching experience
Demonstrate Level 3 competencies of the Leadership program
Provide a written recommendation from an affiliate member or an Instructor Trainer
Be in good standing with the Lifesaving Society
Specific Prerequisites by Specialization
Swim Instructor Trainer
Have taught 60 hours of swimming lessons
Lifesaving Instructor Trainer
Have taught a Bronze Medallion course
Have taught a Bronze Cross course
Have evaluated a Bronze Medallion course
Have evaluated a Bronze Cross course
First Aid Instructor Trainer
Have taught two first aid courses
National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer
Have taught a National Lifeguard course
Have evaluated a National Lifeguard examination
Certification Validity
2 years (recertification through the credit system)
Must maintain a valid underlying instructor certification. For example, a Lifesaving Instructor Trainer must hold a current Lifesaving Instructor certification.
After completing the Instructor Trainer course, candidates must complete a teaching internship in an instructor training course within their chosen specialization before becoming certified to teach it.