Lifesaving Training

Notice: Leisure Swim Cancelled on Thursday, May 11 at 10:00 AM
Leisure Swim will be cancelled on Thursday, May 11 at 10:00 AM due to maintenance work.
Thank for you for understanding.
Interested in continuing to develop your stroke, learning rescue skills or becoming a lifeguard?
The Lifesaving Society provides a fun and challenging progression of lifesaving training programs.
Our Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross courses for swimmers 13 years of age and up and National Lifeguard Service program can enable you to achieve your goals. Our fast-paced “crash course” curriculum over one or two weekends, depending on the course, enables you to accelerate your completion.
Lifesaving Instructors teach and certify candidates. The Lifesaving Society deems its certifications to be “current” for 24 months from the certification date.
National Lifeguard certification is the Canadian industry standard to work as a lifeguard.


Lifesaving Training Programs (Effective January 31, 2022)
Bronze Cross
This course begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and start 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 Lifesaving Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.
Capacity
12 people
Prerequisites
- 14 years of age at time of exam day
- Bronze Medallion and Lifesaving Society Emergency or Standard First Aid certifications (need not be current) or EFA or SFA from one of the approved agencies.
Course Fee
$250 (plus additional $50 for course materials)
Registration is Now Open
You can view course schedules and complete your registration online. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.
Bronze Star and Basic First Aid with CPR-A
This special course includes Bronze Star and Basic First Aid with CPR-A.
This course 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.
Recommended Prerequisite
10 to 15 years of age or completed Swimmer 6
Course Fee
$160
Registration is Now Open
You can view course schedules and complete your registration online. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid with CPR-B
This special course includes Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid with CPR-B.
Bronze Medallion challenges participants both mentally and physically. Judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. The focus is on acquiring the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. Students will learn how to Safely assess an emergency situation and respond appropriately.
Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.
Prerequisite
Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (does not need be current)
Course Fee
$200 (plus additional $50 for course materials)
Registration is Now Open
You can view course schedules and complete your registration online. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.
Bronze Medallion, Emergency First Aid with CPR-B, and Bronze Cross Combo
This special course includes Bronze Medallion, Emergency First Aid with CPR-B, and Bronze Cross training.
Bronze Medallion challenges participants both mentally and physically. Judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. The focus is on acquiring the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. Students will learn how to Safely assess an emergency situation and respond appropriately.
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 start to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. The importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies is emphasized.
Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Lifesaving Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.
Prerequisite:
Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (does not need be current)
Summer Combo Course (July 9 to August 20):
Saturdays, 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
Course Fee:
$450 (plus additional fees for learning materials)
National Lifeguarding Certification
Lifeguarding is an exciting and rewarding job that carries great responsibility. Guards take courses and train hard for events they hope will never happen and which they work hard to prevent.
National Lifeguard is Canada’s only nationally recognized lifeguard certification program. Those who pass the program are always in training to keep their skills, knowledge, and fitness sharp. They are required to keep other important certifications such as CPR and first aid up-to-date.
National Lifeguard is a legal certificate for lifeguarding throughout the country and is recognized by the province of Ontario for lifeguarding public swimming pools.
Prerequisites
- 15 years of age at time of exam day
- Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross
Course Fee
$350 (additional $75 for course manual)
Registration Opens March 16 at 10:00 am
You can view course schedules and complete your registration online. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.
Swim Instructor Course
The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor Course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills.
Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques. Current Swim Instructors teach and certify candidates in all levels of the Swim for Life® program.
Capacity:
12 people, 6‑feet distance
Prerequisites:
- 15 years of age by the end of the Swim Instructor Course
- Bronze Cross (or higher) certification
Crash Course (June 17 to June 26):
- Friday, June 17 (5:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
- Saturday, June 18 (8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
- Sunday, June 19 (8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
- Friday, June 24 (5:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
- Saturday, June 25 (8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
- Sunday, June 26 (8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
Course Fee:
$550 (additional $97 for course manual)
Bronze Star
This course 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.
Recommended:
10 to 15 years of age or completed Swimmer 6
Winter Course (January 12 to March 26, 2023):
Fridays, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Course Fee:
$160
Online Registration is Now Open: You can register and pay online for all swim lessons and courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.
Bronze Medallion
This course challenges participants both mentally and physically. Judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. The focus is on acquiring the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. Students will learn how to safely assess an emergency situation and respond appropriately. Students are expected to have a certain level of swimming proficiency as many rescue skills are specific to the water.
These courses are meant for those who wish to learn lifesaving skills and is a required prerequisite for those who want to become lifeguards. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.
Capacity:
12 people
Prerequisite:
Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (does not need be current)
Winter Course (January 12 to March 26, 2023):
Sundays, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Course Fee:
$200 (additional $50 for course manual)
Online Registration is Now Open: You can register and pay online for all swim lessons and courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.
Please note: Agency Membership is required. You must be a University Settlement Agency Member to register. You can sign up as an Agency Member at the front desk at 23 Grange Road.
Agency Membership Fees: In addition to program fees, an annual Agency Membership ($25 plus HST per year) is required for all individuals participating in swim lessons and courses at University Settlement.
Friendly Reminder: Don’t Forget to Bring your Mask, Gear, and Water
Mask wearing is not required but it is encouraged. Please wear a mask in all indoor spaces (including locker rooms). Don’t forget to bring any gear you need, including your own water bottle (filled).
Health & Safety Steps for Swimmers
Your health and safety, and that of our staff is our top priority. It is everyone’s responsibility. Please familiarize yourself with the health and safety measures at University Settlement.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to use the reservation you have made for the Pool, please cancel it right away. Reservations will be held for 15 minutes. If you arrive later than 15 minutes, you will lose your priority and your spot will be given to another member.
With our new limited capacity, the Pool may be totally booked up on PickTime but in reality there are often spaces available when people don’t show up. Please be considerate of your fellow members and cancel your reservation if you are unable to attend. Thank you.