There are five mandatory courses to become a Lifeguard and an Instructor (Aquatic Leader). These Lifesaving Society courses are listed below and are offered intermittently throughout the year by the City of Port Coquitlam.

Please visit our registration website monthly for updates to our course offerings portcoquitlam.ca/register.

Please note: There are currently no courses scheduled for Fall 2022.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bronze Medallion
• Bronze Cross
• Standard First Aid
• National Lifeguard – Pool Option
• Swim Instructor

Suggested Courses & Experience:

• 30 hours of volunteering/work experience in aquatics
• Lifesaving Instructor certification
• Experience teaching/leading children

If you are interested in joining the Aquatic team or want to learn more about position requirements, please speak with an Aquatic Supervisor.

Steps to Become an Aquatic Leader

1) Bronze Star (Optional)

This course will prepare students for Bronze Medallion. Topics covered include personal safety, first aid and fitness. Intended for participants between the ages of 8 and 12 years of age who have a Swim Kids 8 ability or greater.

Pre-requisite: It is recommended that candidates can demonstrate the Swim to Survive Challenge.

2) Bronze Medallion (Mandatory)

Learn basic life-saving skills for real-life scenarios that are applicable to almost any situation.

Pre-requisite: 13 years of age, or completion of Bronze Star.

3) Bronze Cross (Mandatory)

Learn advanced lifesaving skills such as team rescues, as well as advanced CPR techniques to save children and infants.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Bronze Medallion

4) Standard First Aid (Mandatory)

This is comprehensive first aid training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. You will learn how to deal with bone and joint injuries, suspected spinal injuries, heat and cold illness, bumps, bruises, burns and many other medical problems. This program includes CPR-C with AED certification. This course is equivalent to OFA Level 1.

Pre-requisite: No pre-requisite. Recommended age: 15.

5) National Lifeguard Pool (Mandatory)

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be certified to be a Lifeguard. This course teaches candidates how to prevent and respond to emergencies in and around an aquatic environment.

Pre-requisite: Must be 15 years of age by the last day of the course, have completed Bronze Cross, and Standard First Aid.

6) Swim for Life Instructor Course (Mandatory)

The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course trains candidates to the Competency Level 1 knowledge, skill and attitudes needed to teach the Society’s Swim for life and Canadian Swim Patrol programs.

Pre-requisite: Must be 15 years of age or older, and have completed Bronze Cross.

* Lifesaving Society’s “Swim Instructor” course will replace Canadian Red Cross Water Safety instructor course.

Become a Swim Instructor

Water Safety Instructor Course

This program develops instructional ability by focusing on how to effectively plan, teach and evaluate the Red Cross Swim Program. Prerequisite: Must be 15 years of age or older, have completed Swim Kids 10 or equivalent, Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid or Bronze Cross.

Red Cross Water Safety instructor courses will be replaced by Lifesaving Society’s “Swim Instructor” course in 2022. More information to come.