Red Cross Water Safety Instructors

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor to Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor Transition Path

Red Cross Water Safety Instructors > Swim for Life Instructor

Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Instructors (who are a minimum 15 years of age) transition to Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor certification by completing the Lifesaving Society Swim Transition Instructor clinic. 

Swim Transition Instructor Clinic

The self-guided, online clinic provides an orientation to the Society’s Swim for Life program. The clinic will be available in English and in French at e-lifesaving.ca / e-sauvetage.ca. The clinic might also be offered in your province/territory in a synchronous online or in-person format. 

The Lifesaving Society does not charge for the clinic and will waive the normal instructor certification fee. However, when you register you must purchase the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life Award Guide. You need this reference to be successful on the clinic and while teaching the Swim for Life programs. 

Upon completion of the clinic, the Lifesaving Society will issue your Swim for Life Instructor certification. When the time comes, follow your Lifesaving Society Branch procedures to recertify. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the Swim Transition instructor clinic in 2022, you would be required to follow all normal procedures for Swim for Life Instructor certification including earning prerequisites, successfully completing the full Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor course, and paying all related costs and fees. 

Red Cross WSI Candidates in Progress

Water Safety Swim Instructor Candidate to Swim for Life Instructor Transition Path

Red Cross WSI-candidates-in-progress > Red Cross Water Safety Instructor > Swim for Life Instructor

Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Instructor-candidates complete the Red Cross process for WSI certification as soon as possible, and then complete the Swim Transition Instructor clinic procedure outlined (above) for WSIs. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not earn your WSI certification and complete the Swim Transition Instructor clinic in 2022, you would be required to follow all normal procedures for Swim for Life Instructor certification including earning prerequisites, successfully completing the full Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor course, and paying all related costs and fees. 

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainers who are Lifesaving Society Trainers

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainers who are Lifesaving Society Trainers to Swim for Life Instructor Transition Path

Red Cross WS Instructor Trainers who are Lifesaving Society Trainers > Swim for Life Instructor Trainer 

Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainers who also hold Lifesaving Society Trainer certification (in a stream other than Swim for Life) transition to Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor Trainer certification by completing the Swim Transition Instructor clinic and then the Swim for Life Trainer Orientation module. 

This transition pathway may also be followed by WSITs who have completed the Lifesaving Society Trainer course but who have yet to complete the process for Trainer certification. 

Swim Transition Instructor Clinic

The self-guided, online clinic provides an orientation to the Society’s Swim for Life program. The clinic will be available in English and in French at e-lifesaving.ca / e-sauvetage.ca. The clinic might also be offered in your province/territory in a synchronous online or in-person format. 

Swim for Life Trainer Orientation

The Trainer Orientation module focuses on the information needed to successfully plan and deliver the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor course. Contact the Lifesaving Society office in your province/territory for information on the process. 

The Lifesaving Society does not charge for the Swim Transition Instructor clinic or Trainer Orientation. The Society will waive the Trainer certification fee but you must purchase the relevant Swim for Life Instructor and Trainer resources. 

Upon completion of the Swim Transition Instructor clinic and the Trainer Orientation module, the Lifesaving Society will issue your Swim for Life Instructor Trainer certification. When the time comes, follow your Lifesaving Society Branch procedures to recertify. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the Swim Transition Instructor clinic and the Swim for Life Trainer Orientation in 2022, you would be required to successfully complete all normal Lifesaving Society procedures to earn Swim for Life Instructor Trainer status and pay the certification fee. 

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainers

Red Cross Instructor Trainer to Swim for Life Instructor Trainer Transition Path

Red Cross WS Instructor Trainers > Swim for Life Instructor Trainer 

Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainers transition to Swim for Life Instructor Trainer certification by completing the Swim Transition Instructor clinic and then a Branch-coordinated Lifesaving Society Trainer course. 

Swim Transition Instructor Clinic

The self-guided, online clinic provides an orientation to the Society’s Swim for Life program. The clinic will be available in English and in French at e-lifesaving.ca / e-sauvetage.ca. The clinic might also be offered in your province/territory in a synchronous online or in-person format. 

Lifesaving Society Trainer course

The Trainer course introduces the principles and structure of the Lifesaving Society competency-based leadership system; and focuses on the curriculum knowledge, skill sets, techniques and resources needed to successfully plan and deliver a Lifesaving Society instructor course. 

The Trainer course for WSITs will incorporate the Swim for Life Trainer Orientation module that focuses on the information needed to successfully plan and deliver the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor course. Contact the Lifesaving Society office in your province/territory for information on the process. 

The Lifesaving Society does not charge for the Swim Transition Instructor clinic or for the Trainer Orientation module. The Society will waive the Trainer certification fee, but you must purchase the relevant Swim for Life Instructor and Trainer resources. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the Swim Transition Instructor clinic and the Lifesaving Society Trainer course in 2022, you would be required to successfully follow the normal Lifesaving Society procedures to earn Swim for Life Instructor Trainer status and pay the relevant certification fees. 

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguards (to Bronze Cross)

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard to Bronze Cross Transition Path

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguards > Bronze Cross 

Canadian Red Cross Assistant Lifeguards transition to Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross assistant lifeguard status by successfully completing a Bronze Cross recertification exam. 

The Lifesaving Society will waive the Bronze Cross certification fee. Fees charged by the Affiliate that hosts the recertification may apply. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the Bronze Cross recertification in 2022, you would be required to follow the normal Lifesaving Society procedures to earn Bronze Cross including prerequisites, purchase of the related literature, and payment of relevant certification fees. 

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguards (to National Lifeguard)

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguards to National Lifeguard Transition Path

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguards > National Lifeguard 

Canadian Red Cross Assistant Lifeguards who hold Standard First Aid (and are a minimum 15 years of age) transition to Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard certification by successfully completing a National Lifeguard Pool or Waterfront course. 

All normal course and certification fees and support literature costs apply. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the National Lifeguard course in 2022, you would be required to earn the National Lifeguard prerequisites (Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross), purchase the relevant literature, and pay all related course and certification fees. 

Red Cross Lifeguards who hold Standard First Aid

Red Cross Lifeguard with Standard First Aid to National Lifeguard Transition Path

Red Cross Lifeguards who hold Standard First Aid > National Lifeguard 

Canadian Red Cross Pool or Waterfront Lifeguards who hold Standard First Aid (and are a minimum of 15 years of age) transition to the corresponding National Lifeguard Pool or Waterfront certification by successfully completing a Branch-coordinated National Lifeguard Pool or Waterfront recertification. 

The Lifesaving Society will not charge for the recertification exam and will waive the normal recertification fee. Fees charged by the Affiliate that hosts the recertification may apply. 

Upon completion of the National Lifeguard recertification, the Lifesaving Society will issue your National Lifeguard certification. When the time comes, follow your Lifesaving Society Branch procedures to recertify. Contact the Lifesaving Society office in your province/territory for assistance and details. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the National Lifeguard recertification in 2022, you would be required to earn the National Lifeguard prerequisites (Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross), successfully complete the full National Lifeguard course, purchase the relevant literature, and pay all related course and certification fees. 

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard Instructors who hold Bronze Cross

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard Instructor with Bronze Cross to Lifesaving Instructor Transition Path

Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard Instructors who hold Bronze Cross > Lifesaving Instructor 

Canadian Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard Instructors who hold Bronze Cross (and who are a minimum 15 years of age) transition to Lifesaving Instructor certification by successfully completing a Branch-coordinated Lifesaving Instructor course. 

This course may be offered in an in-person or blended online format. In some provinces/territories, the course may be augmented with content that leads to Bronze Examiner certification. Contact the Lifesaving Society office in your province/territory for assistance and details. 

The Society will waive the Lifesaving Instructor certification fee but you must purchase the applicable course resources. Fees charged by the Affiliate that hosts the Lifesaving Instructor course may apply. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the Lifesaving Instructor course 2022, you would be required to complete the course and pay certification fees. 

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors who hold National Lifeguard

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors who hold National Lifeguard to National Lifeguard Instructor Transition Path

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors who hold National Lifeguard > National Lifeguard Instructor 

Canadian Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors who hold National Lifeguard certification transition to National Lifeguard Instructor certification by successfully completing a Branch-coordinated National Lifeguard Instructor course. 

This course may be offered in person or in a blended online format. In some provinces/territories, the course may be augmented with content that leads to Lifesaving Instructor and Bronze Examiner certification. Contact the Lifesaving Society office in your province/territory for assistance and details. 

The Society will waive the National Lifeguard Instructor certification fee but you must purchase the applicable resources. Fees charged by the Affiliate that hosts the National Lifeguard Instructor course may apply. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the National Lifeguard Instructor course 2022, you would be required to complete the course and pay all certification fees. 

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainers who hold Lifesaving Society Trainer, and National Lifeguard Instructor and Examiner certifications

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainers who hold Lifesaving Society Trainer, and National Lifeguard Instructor and Examiner to National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Transition Path

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainers who hold Lifesaving Society Trainer, and National Lifeguard Instructor and Examiner certifications > National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer 

Canadian Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainers, who also hold Lifesaving Society Trainer certification (in a stream other than National Lifeguard) together with National Lifeguard Instructor and Examiner certifications, transition to National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer by completing the National Lifeguard Trainer Orientation process. 

The Lifesaving Society does not charge for the National Lifeguard Trainer Orientation and will waive the Trainer certification fee, but you must purchase the relevant resources. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the National Lifeguard Trainer Orientation in 2022, you would be required to complete all normal requirements to earn National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer status and pay all certification fees. 

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainers who hold National Lifeguard Instructor and Examiner certifications

Lifeguard Instructor Trainers with National Lifeguard Instructor/ Examiner to National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Transition Path

Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainers who hold National Lifeguard Instructor and Examiner certifications > National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer 

Canadian Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainers, who hold National Lifeguard Instructor and Examiner certifications, transition to National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer certification by successfully completing a Branch-coordinated Lifesaving Society Trainer course. 

The Lifesaving Society will waive the National Lifeguard Trainer certification fee, but you must purchase the relevant resources. 

This transition path ends December 31, 2022.

If you do not complete the Lifesaving Society Trainer course in 2022, you would be required to complete all normal requirements to earn National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer status and pay all certification fees. 

Red Cross Master Instructor Trainers

As a Canadian Red Cross volunteer appointment, there is no transition pathway for Master Instructor Trainers. Those interested are encouraged to contact the Canadian Red Cross and/or your Lifesaving Society Branch to explore volunteer opportunities.