Working to prevent drowning and water-related injury

New Verification of Identity Policy

The Lifesaving Society will begin phasing in a new Verification of Identity Policy for all original vocational courses and recertifications. This policy must be implemented no later than January 1, 2026. Verifying a candidate’s identity helps ensure the integrity of the Lifesaving Society’s certifications and protects employers and the public.

Prepare now by reading the policy and the additional info for Affiliates and Instructors, Examiners and Trainers at the bottom. Click here to learn more.

Shop the new LifeguardDepot.com!

We're live! The updated LifeguardDepot.com is fresh, modern, and easier to navigate. Your existing account and log-in information carry over seamlessly (though you may need to update any product-specific links you've bookmarked).

If you need any support with the new site, contact us by email or call 416-490-8844.

We're excited to welcome you to the new LifeguardDepot.com - let us know what you think.

2025 Water Smart Contest

The Water Smart Contest is on!

Our annual Water Smart contest theme for 2025 is: Lifejackets. Choose it. Use it. Grab your colouring supplies and get creative for a chance to win a grand prize!

Will your swimmer be the 2025 Water Smart Contest winner? Learn more and sign up now. The deadline to submit entries is September 12, 2025. Good luck!

We moved!

Visit us at our new location in Markham

As of April 7, we've moved, and our staff will welcome you to our new Lifesaving Society Ontario - Member Services Centre at 475 Cochrane Drive in Markham.

All phone numbers and email contact information for staff will remain the same, the only thing changing is the address you visit us at. We appreciate your patience as we settle in to our new space.

View full office relocation details.

Updates to Ontario Provincial Pools Regulation

The Ontario Government has issued updates to the Ontario Provincial Pools Regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 565: PUBLIC POOLS) effective January 1, 2025. In response, the Society has produced an insert that covers the required amendments to the current Guide to Ontario Public Pools Regulation. The insert will be included with any purchase of the Guide to Ontario Public Pools Regulation until a new edition is available. The insert can be downloaded here for those who already own the book.

Building more aquatic centres in Ontario

The Aquatic Sport Council of Ontario has developed Building More Aquatic Centres in Ontario, a white paper designed to support government and industry stakeholders in planning for Ontario’s future sport and community infrastructure.

The white paper calls for a dedicated provincial fund to support the construction of 50m pools, development of regional recreation centres, and the creation of best practices for design, operations, and revenue generation.

Access the full white paper at this link.

Leadership Recertification Points System

The Lifesaving Society has updated the instructor, coach, examiner and trainer leadership recertification process. The new Leadership Recertification Points System offers a wider variety of options to earn points and recertify with ease! Read more about recertifying.

2023 Ontario Non-Fatal Drowning Report

For every fatal drowning in Ontario, there are nearly four non-fatal drownings that are serious enough to require an emergency department visit every year. Learn more in the 2023 edition of the Ontario Non-Fatal Drowning Report.

ONTARIO LOWERS MINIMUM AGE TO BE A LIFEGUARD OR INSTRUCTOR

On June 2, 2023 the Government of Ontario announced that it was lowering the minimum age requirement to work as a lifeguard, assistant lifeguard and aquatic instructor from 16 to 15 years of age. The Lifesaving Society Ontario supports this change. Read the release.