Are you interested in becoming an Aquatics Professional (Lifeguard, Assistant Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, etc.)? 

The information below is intended to give you an overview of how it works in Nova Scotia,  and beyond, the terms and acronyms, and the pathway to certifications. Prepared by Dianne Levy, Manager of Recreation and Facilities, West Hants Regional Municipality

Terms:

Lifeguard – At least 15 years of age, a paid individual certified with the National Lifeguard award and Standard First Aid to supervise swimmers in a designated area.

Assistant Lifeguard – At least 15 years of age, a paid individual certified with Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid to assist a qualified lifeguard to supervise swimmers in a designated area.

Water Safety Instructor – At least 15 years of age, certified with Red Cross WSI award that teaches Red Cross Preschool and Red Cross Swim Kid programs.

Lifesaving Instructor – At least 15 years of age, certified with the Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor award that teaches Rookie, Ranger, Star and the Bronze awards.

Aquafit Instructor – At least 16 years of age. Certified with a recognized association and trained in anatomy, exercise physiology, exercise to music and class design, and completed practice teaching. Note there are no swimming prerequisites. Teaches aquafit classes.

Examiner – A volunteer who has been certified to access individuals against a standard while conducting practical evaluations of candidates in Lifesaving Society programs. It is the examiners final decision as to whether a candidate has met the standards of the Lifesaving Society. An examiner is required for Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard.

Instructor Trainer – An experienced instructor who receives additional training and mentoring to be able to train new instructors through specific curriculum. All aquatic organizations have a process of training that goes from instructor to instructor trainer to master trainer. To remain current, trainers and instructors must stay active in using the skills of their certification and recertify either through re-examination or continuing education credits or both.

Acronyms:

NLS        National Lifeguard Service

CPR        Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (Levels A, B, C, D)

SFA         Standard First Aid

WSI        Water Safety Instructor

LSI          Lifesaving Instructor

LSE         Lifesaving Examiner

SFLI        Swim for Life Instructor

WSIT       Water Safety Instructor Trainer

NLI         National Lifeguard Instructor

NLE        National Lifeguard Examiner

LSIT        Lifesaving Instructor Trainer

NCCP     National Coaching Certification Program (Levels 1 -4…)

CALA      Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance

AQX       Aquatic Leadership Excellence

 

Aquatic Staff Certification Requirements:

At the Kentville Centennial Pool:

Lifeguard staff require current National Lifeguard certification (NLS), Standard First Aid with CPR C and Lifesaving Society Learn to Swim Certification. 

Lifesaving Instructors require current LSI and can teach Swim Patrol – Rookie, Ranger, Star and the Bronze awards – Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross

Aquafit Instructors require one of CALA, NSFA, AQX and current CPR A.

Other Nova Scotia pools require  (ie. Acadia, Kentville Centennial Pool, Dartmouth Sportsplex, Canada Games Centre) require the certifications noted above for lifeguards with a few requiring the Red Cross Swim Instructors certification, depending on which lessons they teach. 

Red Cross Swim Instructors require current WSI and can teach Red Cross Preschool, Red Cross Swim Kids, Adults and Teens.

All lifeguard and instructor certifications must remain current by recertifying every 2 years. Aquafit instructors must remain current by taking 8 continuing education credits and a CPR update annually.

Certifying Bodies:

Lifesaving Society -NS Branch in Halifax  www.lifesavingsociety.ns.ca        902-425-5450

Canadian Red Cross- Atlantic Zone office in Moncton      

St. John’s Ambulance – Provincial branch and regional offices – First aid certification only

Coaching Association of Canada – represented locally by Sport Nova Scotia – sport specific

CALA, AQX – head offices in Ontario

Certification /Evaluation Standards: Each certifying body produces a list of performance criteria and/or “must sees” so instructor trainers and examiners can make decisions as to whether or not a candidate meets the standard for certification. When standards are not upheld the candidate can put themselves and their employer at risk if they are unable to perform according to standards in the event of an emergency. It also puts an individual at risk of failing to meet standard prerequisites required for future certifications.

Other aquatic training/certification

NCCP is required for coaches and there are training programs in competitive swimming, diving, water polo and synchro. Contact Sport Nova Scotia at 902-425-5450 and ask for your sport of interest for information.

Aquafitness certification programs are offered by various organizations at Acadia, the Sackville Sports Stadium, Rath Eastlink Centre in Truro, Lunenburg County Lifestyles Centre in Bridgewater and 14 Wing Greenwood.     

Below is the pathway to certification required to work as a lifeguard at the Kentville Centennial Pool and most pools in the country. All of the courses listed are certifications through the Lifesaving Society of Canada.

Bronze Medallion – 13 years of age and able to swim 500m with recognizable strokes in a time limit, demonstrate skills and judgment, and pass a practical exam with an outside examiner (volunteer).

Bronze Cross – 14 years of age, Bronze Medallion and able to swim 600m with recognizable strokes in a time limit, demonstrate skills and judgment, and  pass a practical exam with an outside examiner (volunteer).

Note: You do not need to possess any Red Cross Swim levels to become a lifesaver/lifeguard with Lifesaving Society, however in order to swim the distance in the time with recognizable strokes it helps to have  had some instruction.

National Lifeguard – 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid with CPR C, complete 6 physical standards, demonstrate skills and judgment and pass a practical exam with an outside examiner (volunteer).  There are 4 options: pool, water park, waterfront and surf.

 

Pathway to certification required to work as a swim instructor at the Kentville Centennial Pool.

Lifesaving Instructor – 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, 20 hour core course with a certified LSIT, practice teaching under the direction and supervision of a certified LSI.

Sometimes other pools require the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor – 15 years of age, complete 4 modules (1/strokes and skills at a RCSK Level 10 standard, demonstration of instructional emergency response, 2/online learning, 3/practice teaching, and 4/core course -24 hours of class and pool training with a certified WSIT.

 

Training Facilities in the Valley for Aquatic Leadership Certification

Hants Aquatic Centre – Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross

Acadia University Pool – Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, NLS, SFLI

Kings County Recreation at Waterville Pool – Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, LSI, SFLI, WSI

14 Wing Greenwood Pool – Bronze awards, NLS, WSI, LSI, CALA aquafit

St. Anne’s University Pool – Bronze awards, NLS, WSI, LSI