National Lifeguard Instructor
The National Lifeguard Instructor (NLI) course prepares instructors to teach and evaluate National Lifeguard courses. It provides an in-depth understanding of the principles underlying the program and helps instructors develop teaching approaches suited to training future lifeguards.
The pathway includes a core course followed by a teaching internship in the selected option. Instructors can then obtain additional specializations based on the National Lifeguard certifications they hold and the internships they complete. The National Lifeguard Instructor course is a centralized course offered by the Lifesaving Society. Affiliate members wishing to organize a course for their staff can contact the Lifesaving Society team.
National Lifeguard Instructor Course
The first step is to complete the National Lifeguard Instructor core course, which develops the teaching skills required to deliver the program.
Duration
20 hours.
Prerequisites
To participate in the course, candidates must:
Hold a Lifesaving Instructor certification;
Hold a National Lifeguard certification;
Have evaluated a Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross course.
After successfully completing this step, candidates must complete a teaching internship in their selected option to obtain the corresponding instructor certification.
Teaching Internship
National Lifeguard Instructors are qualified to teach the National Lifeguard options for which they hold the corresponding National Lifeguard certification and have successfully completed a teaching internship.
The internship provides hands-on experience in preparing, planning, teaching, evaluating, and submitting the results of a National Lifeguard course.
Detailed internship requirements are outlined in the Program Guide.
National Lifeguard Instructor Options
Each aquatic environment presents different realities. The National Lifeguard Instructor pathway therefore allows instructors to progressively develop specializations corresponding to the different National Lifeguard options.
This option qualifies instructors to teach the National Lifeguard – Pool course.
Internship Duration
40 hours;
Participation in 100% of the course, including preparation, planning, final evaluation, and submission of results;
50% teaching and 50% observation.
Prerequisites
Hold a current National Lifeguard – Pool certification;
Have successfully completed the National Lifeguard Instructor core course.
Certification Validity
2 years.
The certification may be maintained according to the applicable credit system requirements.
This option qualifies instructors to teach the National Lifeguard – Waterpark course.
Internship Duration
20 hours;
Participation in 100% of the course, from preparation through to the submission of results;
50% teaching and 50% observation.
Prerequisites
Hold a current National Lifeguard – Waterpark certification;
Hold a National Lifeguard Instructor – Pool certification.
Certification Validity
2 years, with maintenance according to the credit system requirements.
This option qualifies instructors to teach the National Lifeguard – Waterfront course.
Internship Duration
20 hours;
Participation in 100% of the course, including preparation, planning, evaluation, and submission of results;
50% teaching and 50% observation.
Prerequisites
Hold a current National Lifeguard – Waterfront certification;
Hold a National Lifeguard Instructor – Pool certification.
Certification Validity
2 years, with maintenance according to the credit system requirements.
This option qualifies instructors to teach the National Lifeguard – Surf course.
Internship Duration
20 hours;
Participation in 100% of the course, including preparation, planning, evaluation, and submission of results;
50% teaching and 50% observation.
Prerequisites
Hold a current National Lifeguard – Surf certification;
Hold a National Lifeguard Instructor – Waterfront certification.
Certification Validity
2 years, with maintenance according to the credit system requirements.
The National Lifeguard Instructor – International Surf certification qualifies instructors to teach the National Lifeguard – Surf course outside Canada.
This qualification is intended for instructors who already have significant experience teaching National Lifeguard – Surf courses.
Internship Duration
20 hours;
Participation in 100% of the course, including preparation, planning, evaluation, and submission of results;
50% teaching and 50% observation.
Prerequisites
Candidates must:
Be at least 21 years old;
Hold a current National Lifeguard – Surf certification;
Hold a current National Lifeguard Instructor – Surf certification;
Have taught at least two National Lifeguard – Surf courses;
Provide the Lifesaving Society with a letter of recommendation from a National Lifeguard Instructor – International Surf.
Certification Validity
2 years, with maintenance according to the credit system requirements.