National Lifeguard
MINIMUM TIME REQUIRED
- 40 hours for the pool option (excluding final evaluation)
- 20 hours for the other options (if the candidate holds a National Lifeguard – Pool award)
PREREQUISITES
- To be at least 15 years old at the final evaluation
- To hold a Bronze Cross award
- To hold a Standard First Aid/AED or an Aquatic Emergency Care/AED award
- For the Waterpark option: to hold a National Lifeguard – Pool award
- For the Surf option: to hold a National Lifeguard – Waterfront award
AWARD VALIDITY
- Valid for 2 years if used as work permit
NEXT LEVEL
The National Lifeguard award is a national performance standard and the only award recognized throughout Canada that allows its holder to work as a lifeguard anywhere in the country. The course has been developed to better understand lifeguarding principles and develop good judgment and a responsible attitude regarding the lifeguard’s responsibilities in an aquatic facility. You can specialize in the following four options: pool, waterpark, waterfront and surf.
Holders of a National Lifeguard award are entitled to work as lifeguards as soon as they reach 16 years old.
DID YOU FAIL YOUR EXAM?
Following the failure of one or more items of the National Lifeguard – Pool or Waterfront initial training, candidates are eligible to take part in a pilot project allowing them to complete a Reexam (before December 31, 2025). During this Re-examination, all components of the National Lifeguard program will be reassessed by a certified National Lifeguard Instructor.
It is recommended that candidates attend a few hours of the last course before the exam session to practice. It is also important to work on the items that were previously failed in order to be fully prepared.
A Re-examination therefore consists of the evaluation of all items from the National Lifeguard program, including theoretical, physical, and rescue scenario components (even if some were previously completed during training).
The first step is to submit an official request to the Lifesaving Society to confirm your eligibility for a Re-examination. Once the Society has approved your participation, the next step is to find a date for the session. You can use the course search system on our website to locate upcoming National Lifeguard courses or recertifications.
Before registering, you must contact the aquatic manager to have your Re-examination request approved and ensure that the instructor has all the necessary information for the evaluation to be conducted properly. Because the Re-examination takes longer to assess than a regular exam, additional time will need to be scheduled with the instructor.
Please note that, as this is a pilot project, it is not covered by the government subsidy. Therefore, fees may apply for the Re-examination.
Once the date and location have been confirmed, you must contact us again to have the arrangement officially approved.
POOL
Having a National Lifeguard – Pool award allows you to assume a lot more responsibilities when supervising an installation. This means you will have a lot more choice when choosing where to work. This option is the one chosen by most lifeguards.
WATERPARK
You need more action? Waterparks are extremely diversified environments where lifeguards must work with each attraction’s distinctive features, as well as general characteristics such as slippery surfaces, crowded structures and water flow. All these elements need to be taken into account during supervision, since they considerably increase risks; the amount of rescues performed in waterparks is significantly higher than in other aquatic environments.
WATERFRONT
Ever thought about working on a lake or a river’s beach? With this award, you will be ready to face environments that are greatly affected by nature, and know how to intervene in an emergency situation. As a waterfront National Lifeguard, you will also know how to deal with specific issues such as currents, sand, unsteady depths and water opacity, and use specialized lifesaving tools like rescue tubes and rescue boards.
SURF
This is just the award you need if you’re more interested in working by the sea or by the ocean. How about following an incredible training in an exciting environment, such as Carleton in the Gaspé Peninsula, Cape Hatteras or Hawaii in the United States, or in Costa Rica? With a National Lifeguard – Surf award, you will be able to assess issues that arise from the presence of specific elements such as strong currents, tides, waves, unsteady depths, sand and underwater obstacles. This environment’s distinctive features also mean that physical fitness requirements are higher; if you crave challenges, don’t hesitate!