CHANGES IN THE PREREQUISITES FOR THE NATIONAL LIFEGUARD AWARD

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For all candidates to the National Lifeguard Award, certain prerequisites must be met:

  • To be at least 15 years of age at the final evaluation
  • To hold a Bronze Cross award
  • To hold a Standard First Aid/AED or an Aquatic Emergency Care/AED award
  • For the Waterpark option: to hold a National Lifeguard – Pool award
  • For the Surf option: to hold a National Lifeguard – Waterfront award


Starting November 1st 2020:

  • It will now be possible for a candidate to take the National Lifeguard Award exam if they are at least 15 years of age on the day of the evaluation.


IMPORTANT
Please note that according to the  B-1.1, r. 11 chapter of the Regulation respecting safety in public baths, a Lifeguard must:

a)  Be at least 17 years of age; and
b)  Hold one of the following certificates dated not more than 2 years previously:

  • A Professional Lifeguarding Certificate issued by the Académie de Sauvetage du Québec Inc.;
  • A National Lifeguard Certificate issued by the National Lifeguarding Service Inc.;
  • A Water Instructor Certificate issued by the Canadian Red Cross Society or the Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada;
  • A Swimming Instructor Certificate and Lifesaving Instructor Certificate issued by a YMCA or YWCA, as part of a national program of aquatic activities sponsored by the YMCA of Canada.


A candidate of 16 years of age who holds a National Lifeguard Certificate may be hired as an Assistant Lifeguard.