National Lifeguard Examination Policy

Effective January 1, 2023

The Lifesaving Society Ontario's National Lifeguard Examination Policy defines the minimum conditions under which National Lifeguard examinations may occur:

1. All National Lifeguard examinations must be submitted by an Affiliate Member of the Society.
2. Environmental requirements to adequately prepare candidates for supervision and rescue response in each of the four National Lifeguard options:
   • Pool: A body of water that is a minimum of 15 m in length, 5 m in width and a minimum of 1.5 m in depth (3 m preferred) at the deepest end.
   • Waterpark: An aquatic facility or swimming pool with a minimum of:
   Three (3) types of basins or zones (e.g., swimming pool, wave pool, catch basins, river ride).
   Three (3) aquatic features with moving water or moving riders such as a wave pool, water slide (minimum 3 m in height), and other activity (e.g., river ride, flow rider, inflatable waterpark, zip line, rope swing).
   • Waterfront: An open water environment with beach access.
   • Surf: An open water environment with beach access and:
   A minimum wave height of 1 m at least 60% of the time.
   Two (2) ocean features such as tides, currents and wave-breaking zones.
3. All examinations must be conducted with the minimum equipment identified on the current National Lifeguard Examination Equipment List (see below).
4. The minimum number of candidates is one. However, additional and currently certified National Lifeguards must participate during situations - as the second lifeguard. The second lifeguard may not be the National Lifeguard Examiner conducting the exam.
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6. In lifeguard situations, scenarios may include any of the test items within the National Lifeguard option (e.g., public relations, drowning non-swimmer, submerged victim, spinal-injured victim, injured swimmer, facility emergency, environmental emergency). Note that first aid conditions are limited to those outlined in Appendix A of the National Lifeguard Award Guide.
7. The minimum number of potential victims may not be less than six. Victims' names and contact information must be recorded and submitted with the test sheets.
   
   On exams with eight candidates or more, no additional "victims" are required (because this number provides for two-lifeguard situations with six victims). However, on exams with fewer than eight candidates, the number of candidates and the number of additional volunteers must add up to a minimum of eight, and the names and contact information for all volunteers must be submitted with the test sheets.

Recertifications

The Society has standardized National Lifeguard recertification exams by designating the mandatory (and only) items to be evaluated during a recertification. These items are: found on the National Lifeguard Recertification test sheets; marked with the † symbol in the National Lifeguard Award Guide; and listed in the National Lifeguard Recertification Notes for Examiners.

National Lifeguard Equipment List

Resuscitation manikin: A CPR manikin designed for practicing compressions and
ventilations that include disposable lungs. Examples: PRESTAN®, ACTAR Defib ®, ACTAR 911 ®. If sharing equipment, ensure cleaning and disinfecting prior to each use.

Barrier devices: Include a pocket mask with a one-way valve and hypoallergenic gloves (i.e. nitrile is an alternative to latex). If sharing equipment, ensure cleaning and disinfecting prior to each use.

Practice first aid kit: Contents include sufficient band aids, gauze, dressings and triangular bandages, blankets, towels, medication placebos, and auto-injector trainers for in-class use.

Buoyant rescue aids: Buoyant rescue aids may include a rescue tube, rescue can, ring buoy, or an adult lifejacket or PFD. All buoyant rescue aids should be a minimum 50 newtons of buoyancy, which is equivalent to an adult lifejacket approved by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Non-buoyant rescue aids: Non-buoyant rescue aids may include a throw line, throw bag, or a reaching pole.

Spineboard: A device designed to extract a person from the water. The spineboard should have a head immobilizer and adequate straps installed and in working condition (Velcro and/or clips are in good condition). Example: VBlock Spineboard.

9 kg (20 lb.) weight: A brick-shaped, soft rubber casing-protected weight is commonly used in pools. Example: 20 lb. Easy Grip Brick A submersible competition or training manikin may be used (see Submersible manikin). Alternate options may be used, as long as they weight 9 kg (20 lb.) on land and measure 0 newtons of buoyancy.

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Whistles: A pealess whistle is strongly recommended. Example: Fox 40 Classic Whistle

Timing device: A stop watch, pace clock, or digital timer are great options. A cell phone may offer timing capability, but consult the host/affiliate to confirm if use of a cell phone during the course/recertification is permissible.

AED trainer: AED trainers should include a base, wires, and electrode pads. Although recommended, they need not be voice-activated.

Bag-valve-mask: A BVM provides safe and effective artificial ventilations during CPR or breathing distress, and may include an oxygen supplementation valve.

Submersible manikin: Typically, an orange-coloured body-like manikin that can be filled with water. Example: Competition Manikin or Training Manikin

Distance measuring device: A laser measuring device is recommended for greater accuracy when measuring in-water distances (use references such as docks or floating buoys). A measuring wheel, pre-measured rope, or long tape measure are also options for measuring distances on land.

Mask, fins and snorkels: Personal equipment is recommended. If there is a shared pool of equipment, ensure cleaning and disinfecting to each use.

Paddleboard or rescue craft: Designed for stability and provision of excellent support for victim and rescuer. Intended for open water environments.

X = Mandatory    O = Optional