The profession of lifeguard is a dream come true, but to be able to sit on a watchtower wearing a cap and equipped with a whistle, you have to go through several stages.
Before taking the steps for lifesaving lessons, make sure your child has the required swimming skills:
- Have completed the Lifesaving Society Lifeguard program, or
- Have achieved Universal Lifeguard Certification 10 level or equivalent.
You can also have your child assessed at the nearest aquatic center to find out about their swimming skills. However, during the first lifesaving course – Bronze Medallion – the Lifesaving Society instructor will re-evaluate his swimming techniques.
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Become a lifeguard in 4 courses
The following aquatic continuum is the only possible route for your child to become a lifeguard in Quebec.
Bronze medal
Prerequisites:
- Be 13 years old on the final exam or hold the Bronze Star award.
- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge of the USA ULC Junior 10.
In addition to understanding the four elements of rescue, namely judgement, knowledge, skills and physical fitness, the candidate will learn the techniques to carry out the rescue of victims.
This course will also allow him to develop a better swimming technique while improving his physical endurance. With his Bronze Medal certificate , he will then be able to work as an assistant lifeguard in a public swimming pool (from the age of 15).
Bronze Cross
Prior:
- Hold the Bronze Medal.
This course offers more advanced training in lifesaving and basic notions in monitoring aquatic installations. The candidate will learn how to rescue a victim with a spinal injury and a victim in cardiopulmonary arrest.
With his Bronze Cross certificate , he will be able to work as an assistant lifeguard in a public swimming pool (from the age of 15) and on a beach (from the age of 16).
First Aid – General/DEA
Preparatory course to assume a role of intervener during an emergency situation, the candidate learns to:
- Provide the necessary treatments to control an injury while waiting for the pre-hospital emergency services;
- use an automated external defibrillator;
- administer adrenaline by auto-injector.
National Lifeguard
Prerequisites:
- Be 16 years old at the final exam.
- Hold the Bronze Cross patent.
- Hold the First Aid – General/DEA or Aquatic Emergency Care /DEA certification .
Recognized as the performance standard for lifeguards in usa, the National lifeguard course near me is designed to develop the following skills:
- Thorough understanding of monitoring principles;
- good judgment;
- responsible attitude towards the lifeguard's role in an aquatic facility.