Resources

online and blended learning

The Society has updated the Instructor Manual with an appendix that provides guidance for instructors teaching courses in online and blended learning formats. Please download, read and insert this PDF into your manual. The appendix is available in English and French.

The Lifesaving Society has also prepared a guide to support the Society’s Affiliate Members and leadership personnel who plan to augment traditional in-person training with online or blended learning delivery of the Society’s courses.

Delivery of online and blended learning: Guide for Lifesaving Society affiliates and leadership personnel.

Lifeguard Insurance

People often call us to ask about insurance coverage for lifeguards and instructors. The answer depends on whom you work for:

  • If you are employed by a corporation such as a town, city or camp, the corporation likely carries general liability insurance that covers you as the employee. Therefore, you do not need your own insurance.
  • If you are asked to lifeguard or teach private lessons in a backyard pool then insurance is required. Ask your employer if you are covered under their homeowner insurance policy; if they say yes, you should have them confirm this coverage in writing before you agree to work. If you are not covered under the employer’s policy, or the owner is unwilling to confirm such coverage in writing, ensure that you secure adequate liability insurance on your own by contacting an insurance broker.
  • Insurance is also required if you are lifeguarding or teaching in your own backyard pool. You may be covered under your (or your parents’) home insurance policy, but it is best to confirm this with the insurance provider. If you are not covered, ensure that you secure adequate liability insurance on your own by contacting an insurance broker.
  • If you are volunteering your examiner services on behalf of the Lifesaving Society, the Society covers you under its liability coverage so you do not need your own insurance.

First Aid Award guide Updates 2022

This document outlines the changes made in 2022 to the Society’s First Aid Award Guide. No need to purchase a new award guide. Just download the update and insert it into your existing book.

Explore the New Bronze Medal Awards

Teaching Bronze (USB Flash Drive)

Provides a suite of resources for instructors teaching the (revised 2020) Lifesaving Society Bronze medal awards. Includes sample core and lesson plans, learning activities, and PowerPoint presentations for each Bronze level.

Also includes outlines and activities for blended learning formats. Features new instructional videos on Drowning Resuscitation and the Canadian Drowning Report. Includes the revised 2020 fillable test sheets and the Instructor Answer Guides for the Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross Workbooks.

Purchase the Teaching Bronze USB Flash Drive at LifeguardDepot.com.

Bronze Awards Video (USB flash drive)

Designed specifically for instructors teaching Bronze Star, Medallion and Cross. Features real kids – like the ones you teach – in seven important segments: The Rescue Process, Ladder Approach, Rescuer’s Checklist, Submerged Victim Recovery, Defenses and Releases, Spinal Rollovers, Surface Dives.

Watch Bronze level candidates bring the Canadian Lifesaving Manual to life in demonstrations of tows, carries, removal techniques and victim simulations including distressed and drowning victim characteristics. See rescue skills performed in both pool and waterfront environments.

The Bronze Awards Video is an excellent instructional resource for introducing candidates to essential water rescue concepts. Slow motion, freeze frames, colourful animation and underwater angles means you can clearly see skills and techniques like you’ve never seen them before. Combined running time: 43 minutes.

Purchase the Bronze Awards Video USB Flash Drive at LifeguardDepot.com.

Bronze Workbooks 2020 - INSTRUCTOR answer GUIDEs

The Bronze Medallion and Cross Workbook Instructor Answer Guides are designed for Instructors teaching Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross to quickly locate sample answers for the questions and activities featured in the workbook. Some workbook questions may have several possible answers, which may not be listed in this answer guide. Instructors should review alternative answers candidates find in the Canadian Lifesaving Manual.

Swim for life strokes and skills video

Strokes & Skills is designed to help Swim Instructors teach and evaluate kids in the Swim for Life program. The 24 minute video features real kids in eight segments covering:

  • Front Crawl
  • Back Crawl
  • Breaststroke
  • Entries
  • Dives
  • Movement Skills
  • Kicks
  • Fitness

Strokes & Skills brings the Swim for Life Award Guide to life. Real kids demonstrate stroke and skill mechanics that meet the Must Sees across different levels. Underwater views, slow motion, freeze frame, colourful animation and instant replay mean you can see Must Sees like you've never seen them before. Purchase the video on Lifeguarddepot.com.

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Board Extraction Demonstration Video

This video demonstrates a two-rescuer removal of a victim using a spineboard. This is one of the techniques that rescuers can add to their repertoire for Item #6 in the Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross program.

Watch the demo on YouTube.

Safeguard Program CD

Current Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructors who also hold National Lifeguard certification can teach and certify Safeguard candidates.

The Safeguard Program CD provides the resources instructors need: Safeguard Award Guide (Test items, Must Sees, Notes), Safeguard PowerPoint presentation, Safeguard Course Handouts and fillable Safeguard Test Sheet. Order now.

First Aid Instructor Resources

Roll the Dice - first aid practice scenario