Leadership & Learning

They Y offers Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross programs. To register candidates must be the correct minimum age by the last day of the course, no exceptions. Proof of pre-requisites are required to be presented on the first day of the course.

Bronze Star

Bronze Star is a pre-Bronze Medallion training program that helps to prepare candidates for success in Bronze Medallion. The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and provides a fun introduction to lifesaving sport.

100% participation and attendance required.

Prerequisite: Recommended 10-12 years of age and completion of Star 7 or equivalent.

Deadline for registration is 3 days prior to course start.

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Bronze Medallion

Bronze Medallion teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on and around the water.  A current Canadian Lifesaving Manual is the required manual for this course and is included in the price.

100% participation and attendance required.

Prerequisite: Bronze Star or 13+ years.

Advanced Aquatics Loyalty Discount: Participants that complete their Bronze Medallion and Cross through the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island will be eligible to receive a discounted rate (participants pay only for administration costs such as manual and certification fees) for their National Lifeguard course. Candidates that successfully complete their certification in our  National Lifeguard courses are prioritized for hiring, dependent on successful completion of all hiring components/requirements. This course discount is not transferrable to any other course/program at the Y and can only be used for National Lifeguard courses.

Deadline for registration is 3 days prior to course start.  Registration after deadline is available for an additional cost.

Summer 2024 courses will be posted on the website on May 26th and registration will open on June 3rd at 12:00pm.

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Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safety supervision.

The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as Assistant Lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.

To be employed as an assistant lifeguard, an individual should be a minimum of 15 years of age and hold (at a minimum) a current Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross certification and a current Emergency First Aid certification.

100% participation and attendance required.

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion.

Advanced Aquatics Loyalty Discount: Participants that complete their Bronze Medallion and Cross through the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island will be eligible to receive a discounted rate (participants pay only for administration costs such as manual and certification fees) for their National Lifeguard course. Candidates that successfully complete their certification in our  National Lifeguard courses are prioritized for hiring, dependent on successful completion of all hiring components/requirements. This course discount is not transferrable to any other course/program at the Y and can only be used for National Lifeguard courses.

Deadline for registration is 3 days prior to course start.  Registration after deadline is available for an additional cost.

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National Lifeguard – Pool Option

The National Lifeguard Pool certification is designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by lifeguards. The National Lifeguard course emphasizes the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in swimming pool environments.

A current Alert Manual is required for this course and is included in the price. Completion of Airway Management & Oxygen Administration (AMOA) certification is included as part of the NL course and is included in the fee.

100% participation and attendance required.

Prerequisite: Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid (from one of 5 recognized agencies), Lifesaving Society AMOA Fast Track online module, 15+years

Note: although candidates can complete their National Lifeguard certification at 15+ yrs, they will not be eligible for employment as Lifeguards until they are 16 yrs (as per health regulations).

Note: information for AMOA Fast Track online module, facilitated through the Lifesaving Society, will be provided during the first class. There is an additional $3 charge upon registration for this online module.

Deadline for registration is 3 days prior to course start. Registration after deadline is available for an additional cost.

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National Lifeguard – Pool RECERT

For those wishing to recertify their award.  Course includes precert and recert – you are required to attend both sessions.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard – pool option

Please bring a whistle and an extra towel.

Deadline for registration is 1 day prior to course start.

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Airway Management and Oxygen Administration (AMOA) – Practical Skills Assessment

This course is the practical assessment of skills learned during the Lifesaving Society online AMOA Fast Track for Lifeguards.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard – pool option, Lifesaving Society AMOA Fast Track for Lifeguards (proof of completion of online component must be shown).

Deadline for registration is 1 day prior to course start.

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YMCA Swim Instructor Course

Share your love of swimming with others! As a leader in the pool, you can play an essential role in helping others learn to swim and improve their health in many ways.

You will learn a variety of teaching techniques, progressions and more. To put it all into practice, you’ll work alongside a certified YMCA Swim Instructor to teach children during a swim lesson.

The course consists of three components: an online learning module (to be completed prior to in-person sessions), in person classes and co-teaching assignments.

After completing this course, you will be qualified to work as a YMCA Swim Instructor and teach swimming lessons at the YMCA.

100% participation and attendance required.

Advanced Aquatics Loyalty Discount: Participants that complete their Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard through the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island will be eligible to receive a discounted rate (participants pay only for administration costs such as manual and certification fees) for their YMCA Swim Instructor course. This course discount is not transferrable to any other course/program at the Y and can only be used for YMCA Swim Instructor courses.

Prerequisite: 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid and CPR C. Proof of age and certification required.

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Lifesaving Instructors Course

Lifesaving Instructors are trained to teach the three Canadian Swim Patrol Program awards, as well as the Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Lifesaving Fitness, and Distinction awards. Candidates are trained in and must demonstrate skills, knowledge and attitudes at Competency Level 1 to include all aspects of learning as well as various approaches required to teach water rescue, first aid and related aquatic skills in the Canadian Lifesaving Program. Candidates also learn about long-range and short-term planning, class management, safety supervision and the principles of evaluation.

100% participation and attendance required.

Prerequisites: Bronze Cross, completion of pre-course Lifesaving Instructor Online Module, 15+ yrs.

Note: Although candidates can complete their LS Lifesaving Instructors at 15+ yrs, they will not be eligible for employment as a Lifesaving Instructor until they are 16 yrs (as per health regulations).

Note: Once course registration is complete, please contact registration@vancouverislandy.ca to arrange for course materials pick-up. Course manuals are required to complete the pre-course online module (there is no additional cost for this online module). Canadian Lifesaving Manual (CLM) is required for the course but not included in the course materials provided (manual for Bronze courses); those without a CLM will be required to purchase the manual, available for $40.00 +gst.

Deadline for registration is 5 business days prior to course start.  Registration after deadline is available for an additional cost.

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Lifesaving Instructors RECERT

In person session for those wishing to recertify their award.

100% participation and attendance required.

Prerequisite: Lifesaving Instructors (current within 5yrs of certification), 2021 Bronze Medals Update (as shown on your Find A Member).

Deadline for registration is 1 day prior to course start.

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S.E.E. Auditor Course

The Supervision Evaluation and Enhancement [S.E.E.] course is designed to give participants the knowledge, training and tools required to evaluate the effectiveness of lifeguard and instructor supervision.  Please bring deck shoes and a writing utensil to the course.  You will be contacted before the course for your LS ID# to verify prerequisite.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard Certification– need not be current; minimum 100 hrs guarding experience

Deadline for registration is 1 day prior to course start.

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Safeguard Course

The Lifesaving Society’s Safeguard certification provides safety supervision training for guardians (e.g., day camp counsellors, counsellors-in-training and others) who accompany groups of young people to pools or waterfronts. The course stresses the responsibility undertaken by these group leaders for safeguarding the young people in their care even when under lifeguard supervision.

Safeguard focuses on water safety awareness, accident prevention and the principles of aquatic safety supervision. Safeguard teaches participants how to identify hazards and at-risk behaviours, how to recognize potential victims, and how to respond safely in an aquatic emergency.

Safeguard does not require an in-water session. However, where time and facilities allow, an in-water session is beneficial for practicing victim recognition and low-risk, non-contact rescue response in shallow water.

Prerequisites: None. Safeguard training is designed for swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Ideally, guardians are at least 12 years of age, able to swim, and have some lifesaving experience.

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