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Benefits of Being a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor
Get certified for a job you will love! Follow the path to becoming a lifeguard, instructor or just re-certify to keep your professional skills up to date and your job opportunities open. You can start as young as age 10 on the journey, through Orillia's Aquatic Leadership and First Aid & CPR courses and training programs.
Learn how to save lives, be a part of a team, meet new people, make money, challenge yourself and have fun!
How Do I Become a Lifeguard / Swim Instructor?
Please note that some of the courses below are not available during certain sessions. Contact Christine Wareing at cwareing@orillia.ca for details. 
| Swimmer 10 (Bronze Star) |
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This course is in preparation for Bronze Medallion, emphasizing swimming skills and lifesaving fitness. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills individually and with partners and learn how to take charge in an emergency. Bronze Star is the prerequisite to Bronze Medallion (if swimmer is not 13 years old.) Check Availability / Register |
| Swimmer 11 (Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid) |
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Your lifesaving career starts here with the first class in the Lifesaving Society's Leadership Program. This course develops a timed swim fitness component and introduces decision making and judgment skills. It also teaches responses to complex water rescue situations. The First Aid and CPR component covers a general knowledge of First Aid principles and emergency treatment of injuries. Skills to be learned will include victim assessment, resuscitation skills, CPR, choking and what to do for internal bleeding, heart attack and stroke. Prerequisite: 13 years or Bronze Star. All you pay for is the material and certification fee! |
| Swimmer 12 (Bronze Cross & Standard First Aid) |
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This award further develops lifesaving training and the principles of lifeguarding including rescues of increased difficulty. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for the National Lifeguard Award. Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid. |
| LSS Assistant Instructor |
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Through classroom learning and in-water practice, this course prepares candidates to assist a certified instructor with swimming and lifesaving classes. Pre-requisites: Bronze Cross or higher and 14 years of age. |
| National Lifeguard Pool |
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The Community Services Department has teamed up with the Orillia YMCA to offer this certification. National Lifeguard certification builds on the fundamental skills, knowledge and values of the Lifesaving Society to develop the practical skills and knowledge required by lifeguards. Strong leadership, communication, decision making and judgment skills are vital. Unsuccessful candidates are required to take the entire course again. Pre-requisites: 16 yrs, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid with CPR-C *PLEASE NOTE: The Lifesaving Society only accepts Standard First Aid certificates that are recognized in the Ontario Public Pools Regulation (565) specifically; those of the Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, and Canadian Ski Patrol. |
| LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor |
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Through classroom learning and in-water practice, the Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor course certifies candidates to teach LSS Swim Programs and up to the Bronze Cross Award. Practical teaching scenarios will be incorporated and emphasized. Pre-requisites: 16 years of age and Bronze Cross (or higher), LSS Assistant Instructor recommended. |
Continuing Leadership Training
| Aquatic Supervisor |
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For deck-level supervisory staff, the Aquatic Supervisor course provides the knowledge and skills, beyond National Lifeguard certification, to manage a safe aquatic environment. Prerequisite: National Lifeguard or Swim Instructor or Lifesaving Instructor certification; and 100 hours experience as a lifeguard and/or instructor. |
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Examiners |
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The Lifesaving Society authorizes Examiners to evaluate and certify candidates in the Society's training programs. Examiners are experienced instructors* who undergo specific training in examination methodology and standards. Certification as an Examiner is a three-step process:
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| First Aid Instructor |
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The Lifesaving Society's First Aid Instructor course is designed to provide Lifesaving Instructors with the knowledge and resources required to organize, plan, and deliver Lifesaving Society First Aid awards up to and including Standard First Aid and CPR-A, -B, -C. Current Standard First Aid Instructors may teach and certify:
Prerequisite: Lifesaving Instructor, Advanced Instructor (may be done concurrently) and Standard First Aid certification from one of: Lifesaving Society, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross Society, Canadian Ski Patrol. Prerequisites need not be current. |
Work at the New Orillia Recreation Centre!
Situated in the heart of Orillia , the City's new Orillia Recreation Facility will provide a blend of leisure, sport, fitness and recreational amenities for individuals and families, as well as competitive sport venues for groups and organizations.
Facility Amenities:
- 25 m, 8-lane lap pool with viewing area
- Therapeutic pool
- Leisure pool with play features
- Gymnasium with 2 FIBA sized basketball courts and a viewing area
- Childcare room
- Multi-purpose room
- Fitness centre including studio fitness rooms
- Walking/jogging track
Orillia Recreation Centre Webpage
Register for Programs
If you want to get active, the City of Orillia is the place to be. The City's Community Services Department offers seasonal activity guides full of a wide range of activities and recreational pursuits. In addition, the City offers many sports leagues, tournaments, clubs, and organizations, as well as unique services such as disc golf and rock climbing.
View and register for programs by creating a new account (if you haven't signed up with us since Fall 2015). Click the S.U.N. logo to the left to create your new account and start registering!
To learn more about the programs we offer, visit our Recreation FUN Guide page. Looking for something to do on your P.A. Day or Holiday? Check the full schedule of Holiday and P.A. Activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
| How old do I have to be to lifeguard? |
| To be a certified lifeguard or swim instructor you must be 15 years of age but you could start your training as young as 12 years! You cannot, however, work until the age of 16. |
| Where do these courses take place? |
| At our new Orillia Recreation Centre. In the summer, courses also run at Couchiching Beach. |
| What is included in my course costs? |
| All manuals and certification fees are covered by Community Services! You are only required to pay for the courses themselves. |
| What should I bring to my course? |
| Bathing suit and towel (you may want two of each), comfortable clothing, whistle, notebook, paper, pen, pencil, lunch, dinner, snacks, proof of age, pre-requisite certifications and all manuals used in previous courses. Recommended equipment: wetsuit and sun protection (if the course is outside), waterproof watch, disposable gloves and mask. |
| Do my pre-requisites need to be current? |
| Only Standard First Aid and CPR must be dated within two years of issue for National Lifeguard courses. All other certifications do not need to be current. Standard First Aid must be from the following organizations: Lifesaving Society, Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance or Canadian Ski Patrol. |
| How do I check my pre-requisites? |
| Please visit the Lifesaving Society website and enter your Lifesaving Society ID number located on the bottom of any of your certification cards. |
| What if I have to miss a class? |
| Attendance is 100% mandatory in order to pass all courses. |
| What can I do if I have failed my Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross? |
| Any candidate who has failed the Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross course can retake the exam by registering to a challenge. A challenge is an examination for which candidates do not need to have previously followed the course, and during which each course item is assessed. Candidates who have failed a bronze level course can participate to a challenge in order to try successfully completing the examination. |
| What can I do if I want to work as a lifeguard and my National Lifeguard award has expired? |
| Any expired National Lifeguard award, no matter its expiration date, can be re-certified at any time in a National Lifeguard re-certification; however, it is recommended after five years to redo the full course. |
| What can I do if I have failed a re-certification? |
| Candidates who fail their award re-certification must work on the items they missed and make sure they have acquired the lacking skills or knowledge before participating to a second re-certification. |
| Course description says I have to be at least 14 years. My birthday is during the course; can I still enroll? |
| Yes, you can take the course. Candidates must turn the identified age prior to the last scheduled day of the course. |
| My certification was earned outside of Ontario. What should I do? |
| You must hold a certification recognized by the Ontario Health Regulations in order to lifeguard in Ontario. Apply to the Lifesaving Society for your out of country awards' equivalency. Call 416-490-8844 for information. |
