The Canadian Lifesaving Program This site includes information on our new Swim Patrol program in addition to the Bronze Family of awards.

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Swim Patrol
-- The On-Ramp to Lifeguarding

Three Swim Patrol levels (Rookie, Ranger & Star) and Bronze Star:

• Swim Patrol is for kids who are ready to go beyond learn-to-swim
• Swim patrol is a program that delivers "work hard, play hard" training for skilled swimmers aged 8 to 12
• Swim patrol is the on-ramp to lifeguarding. Ability is the only pre-requisite (proficiency in water and ability to swim 100 meters).

Each level is divided into three content modules: H20 Proficiency, First Aid and Recognition and Rescue.

H20 Proficiency: Good swimmers make better lifesavers! Includes head-up strokes, swimming strokes, entries, surface dives, underwater swims, and physical fitness.

First Aid: Real World Situations! Includes resuscitation and first aid skills.

Recognition & Response: You can't rescue what you don't see! Includes: water rescue skills and resuscitation skills, victim recognition and simulation, use of aids, communication, defense methods, tows, and removals.

Highlights to each level:

Key Points about new program:

• Good swimmers make better lifesavers
• Ability is the only prerequisite
• Work-hard / play-hard training
• Continuous improvement measured in personal bests
• Swimmers can work on content from different levels while enrolled in any level
• More recognition more often

Upon enrolling in the program, participants will receive a wall-chart which when they finish each module of each level they will recieve a sticker for the chart, and upon completion of all three modules (H20 Pro, First Aid & Rescue + Response) they will receive a decal for the chart.

Look for this exciting new program at all aquatic facilities near you. For more information, contact your local pool or the Lifesaving Society at 956-2124.

So You Want to be a Lifeguard?
- Advanced Lifesaving Programs from the Lifesaving Society

Bronze Star
- Pre-Bronze Medallion training standard

Bronze Star is designed to deliver high-performance training for skilled pre-teens. The new first level of the Bronze Family (Bronze Star, Medallion, Cross) is an excellent preparation tool for success in Bronze Medallion. Ability is the only prerequisite, though Swim Patrol training recommended. This level is not a prerequisite for Bronze Medallion though it is strongly recommended.

Content Highlights:

H20 Proficiency: Swim 400 meters in 12 minutes; 100 meter lifesaving medley in 3 minutes; head-up swims; swim & inflate clothes; entries from a height; support weight for 3 minutes

First Aid: Land spinals; CPR

Recognition & Rescue: Solo & partner rescues; hand signals; spot submerged object; searches

Look for this challenging new program at all aquatic facilities near you. For more information, contact your local pool or the Lifesaving Society at 956-2124.

Bronze Medallion

Bronze Medallion teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles that make up the four components of water rescue -- judgement, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries, and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk. Lifesavers learn to respond to increasingly complex situations involving conscious and unconscious victims in contact and non-contact rescues. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance with a timed swim.

Bronze Medallion pre-requisites: Bronze Star by first day of the course or 13 years of age by the date of the exam.

Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross teaches the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding, the principles of emergency procedures, and teamwork. Lifesavers learn the skills involved in the rescue of a victim with a spinal injury, the rescue of a pulseless victim, and the rescue of a victim with deteriorating circumstances.

Bronze Cross is a pre-requisite to the Distinction Award, the National Lifeguard Service Award, and the Lifesaving Instructor Award. Bronze Cross is the stepping stone for all of the Society's advanced training programs in lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.

Bronze Cross pre-requisite: Bronze Medallion by first day of the course

Distinction Award

The Distinction Award encourages a maturity of response to demanding aquatic emergency situations and is designed to develop advanced water rescue skill and knowledge, and an understanding of the principles of fitness training. Distinction's challenges include understanding the implications of assuming responsibility in an emergency, dealing with multiple victims, and the rescue of a non-breathing victim with a spinal injury in deep water. As implied by the name of the award, lifesavers must perform every item with distinction. Distinction is a pre-requisite to the Diploma Award.

Distinction pre-requisite: Bronze Cross

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