Safety Guidelines and Checklist

Backyard pools should be inspected at least annually by the pool owner or by an NLS-certified lifeguard recruited by the owner. Use the Society's Backyard Pool Safety Inspections Guidelines with the Backyard Pool Checklist. If the inspection is positive, owners can download our Backyard Pool Inspection Certificate.

Learn to Swim

Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. The Lifesaving Society offers training programs from learn-to-swim through advanced lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.

Our Swim for Life program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart® education that will last a lifetime.

Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program. Swim to Survive is not a subsititute for swimming lessons; instead, it defines the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. People of all ages should be able to perform the Society's Swim to Survive standard.