National Lifeguard Instructor

The National Lifeguard Instructor course is a centralized course offered by the Lifesaving Society.   To view and register for the next course, visit lifesaving.qc.ca in the "I WANT TO TAKE A COURSE" sectionor via our registration platform.  

Affiliates wishing to offer this training to their staff are encouraged to contact the Lifesaving Society office.  

The National Lifeguard Instructor awardprovides candidates with an understanding of the principles and practices upon which the National Lifeguard program is built and explores teaching approaches and techniques appropriate for National Lifeguard candidates. Candidates are trained to Level 3 of competencies and must demonstrate the skills, knowledge and attitudes of that level.  

STEP 1: NATIONAL LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR

MINIMUM TIME REQUIRED 

    • COMMON COURSE 20 HOURS: Basic initial training  
    • You will need to complete an internship in your chosen specialization to obtain your teaching award. 

 

PREREQUISITES 

  • Experience as a pool lifeguard 

STEP 2: INTERNSHIP FOR OBTAINING A PATENT

National Lifeguard Instructors (NLIs) are qualified to teach the National Lifeguard Options they own and in which they have completed a teaching internship. For the internship process, please see the internship section of the Program Guide. 

 

POOL 

MINIMUM DURATION: 

  • Internship 40 hours to receive award (NLI-Pool): Participate in the preparation, planning and 100% of the NL-Pool course including the exam and reporting of results (Teaching 50% and observation 50%). 

 

PREREQUISITES 

  • Have a current National Lifeguard instructor award 

 

PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE 

  • 2 years: Recertificationby credit system; 

  

WATERPARK 

MINIMUM DURATION  

  • 20-hour internship to receive award(NLI-Waterpark): Participate in the preparation, planning and 100% of the NL-Waterpark course including the exam and reporting of results (Teaching 50% and observation 50%). 

 

PREREQUISITES 

  • Have a current National Lifeguard–Pool instructor award 

 

PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE  

  • 2 years: Recertificationby credit system; 

  

WATERFRONT 

MINIMUM DURATION  

  • 20-hour internship to receive award(NLI-Waterfront): Participate in the preparation, planning and 100% of the NL-Waterfront course including the exam and reporting of results (Teaching 50% and observation 50%). 

 

PREREQUISITES 

  • Have a current National Lifeguard– Pool instructoraward 

 

PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE  

  • 2 years: Recertificationby credit system; 

 

SURF 

MINIMUM DURATION  

  • 20-hour internship to receive award (NLI-Surf) : Participate in the preparation, planning and 100% of the NL-Surf course including the exam and reporting of results (Teaching 50% and observation 50%). 

 

PREREQUISITES 

  • Have a current National Lifeguard– Waterfront instructoraward 

 

PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE 

  • 2 years: Recertification by credit system; 

  •  

  

INTERNATIONAL SURF 

This awardallows you to teach the National Lifeguard- International waterfront course outside of Canada. 

 

MINIMUM DURATION 

  • 20-hour course to receive award(NLI-International International waterfront): Participate in the preparation, planning and 100% of the International NLI-International waterfront course including the exam and the transmission of the results (Teaching 50% and observation 50%). 

 

PREREQUISITES 

  • Be 21 yearsold  

  • Have a current National Lifeguard – Surf Instructor award 

  • Have taught a minimum of 2 National Lifeguard - Waterfront courses 

  • Submit to the Lifesaving Society office a letter of recommendationfrom a National Lifeguard – International Surf instructor 

 

PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE 

  • 2 years: Requalification by credit system;