Extracurricular Programs
Quebec government Measure 15028 – Extracurricular Activities in Secondary Schools allows participating public secondary schools to provide financial support for various activities offered outside regular class hours, including lifesaving and first aid courses. National Lifeguard is among the examples of eligible training under the measure.
Depending on the terms and conditions applicable to each school, this measure can make Lifesaving Society courses more accessible to students and help cover certain expenses required to organize them, including transportation.
A Pathway to Aquatic Careers
Courses can be integrated into the school experience to introduce students to lifesaving, help them progressively earn the qualifications required to work in aquatic supervision, or prepare them to teach swimming and lifesaving.
The pathway can be adapted according to students’ age, skills, and certifications already obtained. Students do not need to complete every course listed below.
Swim Patrol – Rookie, Ranger and Star
Duration: 10 hours per level
The Swim Patrol levels progressively develop swimming, water safety, and lifesaving skills.
They provide an excellent introduction to lifesaving but are not required to progress to the Bronze levels.
Bronze Star
Duration: 10 hours
Bronze Star introduces students to the basic principles of lifesaving and helps them develop a variety of aquatic skills.
This course is not required to progress to Bronze Medallion.
Bronze Medallion
Duration: 15 hours, excluding the final evaluation
Bronze Medallion is the first required course in the pathway leading to National Lifeguard certification.
It develops the judgment, knowledge, skills, and physical fitness required to respond to a variety of lifesaving situations.
Bronze Cross
Duration: 20 hours, excluding the final evaluation
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion
Bronze Cross further develops lifesaving skills and introduces the principles of aquatic supervision.
When used as a work qualification, the certification allows individuals to perform certain assistant lifeguard duties starting at age 15 at a swimming pool and age 16 at a beach, subject to applicable requirements.
Standard First Aid
Duration: 16 hours
This course provides the knowledge and skills required to respond to a variety of situations requiring first aid.
It is one of the prerequisites for National Lifeguard certification.
National Lifeguard
Duration: 40 hours for the Pool option, excluding the final evaluation
National Lifeguard certification is the final step in the pathway leading to employment as a lifeguard.
To take the course, candidates must, among other requirements, be at least 15 years old at the time of the final evaluation, hold a Bronze Cross certification, and hold a Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid/AED or Aquatic Emergency Care/AED certification.
National Lifeguard certification allows individuals to work as lifeguards starting at age 16, depending on the option held and the requirements applicable to the aquatic facility. When used as a work qualification, the certification is valid for two years.
Lifesaving Instructor
Duration: 32 hours
This course prepares candidates to teach and evaluate various Lifesaving Society lifesaving programs.
Swim Instructor
Duration: 32 hours
This course develops the skills required to teach and evaluate the Lifesaving Society’s swimming programs.
These courses allow students who wish to continue their journey in the aquatic field to develop skills in teaching, communication, and group leadership.
Which Pathway for Each Grade Level?
Grade level provides a general guideline for planning students’ progression. Eligibility for each course is determined by the applicable age and prerequisite requirements.
Students may complete more than one course during the same school year when they meet the prerequisites. Students who already hold a certification may proceed directly to the next step in their pathway.
Required materials are provided according to the course. They may include:
Whistle;
Personal protective equipment;
Pocket mask and related equipment;
Canadian Lifesaving Manual;
Canadian First Aid Manual;
Alert: Lifeguarding in Action;
Guides and manuals required for instructor courses.
Organizing Groups
Courses may include students from several schools. When the requirements of the measure and the course are met, students may also participate in a course offered to other participants.
Activities supported as extracurricular activities must take place outside regular class hours. When transportation is organized as part of the extracurricular activities, the measure stipulates that it must be provided free of charge.
For lifesaving courses, the Lifesaving Society also recommends allowing additional time for students to develop their physical fitness, swimming techniques, and the skills required to successfully complete the course.
Setting Up a Course
An extracurricular course can be initiated by either a secondary school or an aquatic facility. Collaboration between the school, aquatic facility, and those responsible for delivering the course makes it possible to adapt the organization of the program to students’ needs.
The school can contact a local aquatic facility to determine which courses are available and whether the facility can accommodate a group.
Main steps:
Identify courses that may interest students;
Contact an aquatic facility that can host the course;
Verify students’ eligibility based on age and prerequisites;
Collect registrations;
Determine the schedule with the aquatic facility;
Arrange transportation when necessary.
The Lifesaving Society can also provide information and tools to help facilitate the implementation of the project.
An aquatic facility can contact secondary schools in its area to present courses that could be incorporated into their extracurricular programming.
Main steps:
Determine which courses can be offered at the facility;
Ensure that the facility meets the requirements of the selected course;
Hold the required Lifesaving Society affiliation;
Identify instructors with the required qualifications;
Present available training opportunities to local schools;
Determine groups and schedules in collaboration with the schools;
Coordinate transportation arrangements when necessary.
Aquatic Facility Requirements
The facility used must be suitable for the course being offered and meet the applicable technical and instructional requirements of the program.
Aquatic facilities accessible to the public are also subject to the requirements of Chapter IX – Bathing Places of the Safety Code. This chapter sets out various responsibilities related to the safety of public swimming pools, beaches, and wading pools.
Validity of Certifications Used for Employment
Validity requirements vary depending on the certification and how it is used. Therefore, not all courses in the pathway should be considered work qualifications with the same validity period.
When used as qualifications for aquatic supervision positions, certain certifications must be recertified every two years, including Bronze Cross for assistant lifeguard duties and the applicable National Lifeguard options.
The requirements specific to each certification must be verified before it is used as a work qualification.
Need Assistance?
The Lifesaving Society can assist secondary schools and aquatic facilities in setting up extracurricular courses and provide the information needed regarding courses, prerequisites, and organization.