The Lifesaving Society
Since 1909, the Lifesaving Society has been Quebec's leading authority in training programs and consulting services related to aquatic and boating activities, first aid, and lifesaving.
The Lifesaving Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing drowning and water-related injuries in Quebec through education, training, and expert guidance.
To be the essential partner in building a Quebec free from drownings and aquatic and boating-related incidents.
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To fulfill its mission, the Lifesaving Society delivers a broad range of programs that educate and equip people with the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe in, on, and around the water.
The Lifesaving Society is the only organization authorized to train aquatic supervision personnel in Quebec. Developed according to nationally recognized standards, this training covers all the essential knowledge, techniques and skills required to ensure optimal supervision of aquatic environments and respond effectively in the event of an incident.
The Lifesaving Society offers the Swim for Life® program, a learn-to-swim program designed for people of all ages, children and adults alike. Focused on developing aquatic skills and safe behaviours, the program helps participants develop swimming skills, prevent drowning and participate safely in aquatic activities.
When an incident occurs, knowing how to respond appropriately is essential. The Lifesaving Society’s mission includes providing training that enables aquatic supervision personnel, the general public and various workplaces to acquire or improve their first aid skills. Whether dealing with a cardiorespiratory emergency or an injury, having the appropriate knowledge and techniques can make all the difference and save lives.
Preventing drowning involves more than ensuring that aquatic environments are properly supervised. It is essential to raise public awareness of the associated risks and encourage everyone to adopt safe behaviours during aquatic and boating activities. Public education therefore plays an important role in the Lifesaving Society’s mission. Through initiatives such as National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW), the Society shares prevention messages with communities across Quebec.
Over the years, the Lifesaving Society has developed recognized expertise in aquatic risk management. It provides customized training for aquatic facility personnel to help optimize safety. It also offers a range of consulting services, including analyses and audits tailored to the specific realities and needs of each facility.
Lifesaving sport is a comprehensive sport that develops four essential qualities: judgment, knowledge, physical fitness and skills. These qualities are put to the test in the two disciplines of the sport: pool and beach. Accessible to athletes at all levels of competition, lifesaving sport allows participants to progress from provincial invitational competitions to Quebec and Canadian Championships, and ultimately to international championships. Through rigorous training, top athletes may earn a place on the national team and represent Canada on the world stage.
Preventing boating-related incidents begins with acquiring the right knowledge and adopting safe practices. To help make recreational boating safer, the Lifesaving Society offers theoretical and practical training through its École de navigation for recreational boaters of all experience levels. These courses provide participants with the essential skills needed to navigate responsibly and safely.