Guide to becoming a certified lifeguard/swim instructor in Ontario
- Megan K
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
After completing all the swimming levels, a swimmer can start to work towards becoming a lifeguard, or swim instructor. To be hired, most employers require candidates to be certified as lifeguards, and swim instructors, since the two are often combined into one role– meaning candidates would sometimes teach swimming lessons, and sometimes lifeguard.
Here are the courses you must take post-swimming lessons to become a lifeguard/swim instructor in Ontario:
1. Bronze Star (Optional)
Pre-requisites: None
Duration: 10 hours
This course does not need to be taken in order to become a lifeguard/swim instructor.
It prepares swimmers for “Bronze Medallion” and provides a fun introduction to lifesaving.
It’s a great option for swimmers that are eager to start lifesaving courses, but are not yet old enough (13 years of age) to enroll in Bronze Medallion.
2. Bronze Medallion
Pre-requisites: 13 years of age, OR, Bronze Star Certification (expired is okay)
Duration: 15 hours
Challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness –the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training.
3. Emergency, or Standard First Aid
Pre-requisites: None
Which should you take? Although you can take Emergency, or Standard First Aid in order to qualify to take Bronze Cross, we recommend taking Standard First Aid. Standard First Aid is a more comprehensive course, and is required to take the National Lifeguard course.
Therefore, if you take Emergency First Aid before Bronze Cross, you will have to take a Standard First Aid course before you take the National Lifeguard- whereas if you take Standard First Aid before Bronze Cross, you will not have to take the Standard First Aid again before you take the National Lifeguard because you will have already done it.
Recertification– Emergency: Must be recertified within 36 months of the certification date. To re-certify this course, you must re-take the full-length course.
Recertification– Standard: Must be recertified within 36 months of the certification date by taking a re-certification Standard First Aid course. To renew SFA certifications subsequently, award holders must repeat the full SFA Course. Thereafter, individuals may renew by alternating recertification courses and full courses.
Find an Emergency First Aid course from an approved agency here.
Find a Standard First Aid course from an approved agency here.
4. Bronze Cross
Pre-requisites: Bronze Medallion Certification (expired is okay), PLUS one of Emergency First Aid, or, Standard First Aid.
Duration: 20 hours
5. Standard First Aid (only if not already taken)
This step is only required if you have not already taken Standard First Aid.
If you took Standard First Aid before Bronze Cross, you do not need to take it again before National Lifeguard, even if it has expired!
Find a Standard First Aid course from an approved agency here.
6. National Lifeguard
Pre-requisites: 15 years of age, PLUS Bronze Cross Certification (cannot be expired), PLUS Standard First Aid (can be expired)
Duration: ~40 hours
Find a National Lifeguard course from an approved agency here.
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