Lifesaving Society Courses

Lifesaving Society Courses

Steps to becoming a Lifeguard

  1. Complete Intermediate First Aid (click here)
  2. Complete Bronze Medallion
  3. Complete Bronze Cross
  4. Complete National Lifeguard

After these four courses are complete you can stop there and apply to local pools to work as a Lifeguard, however most pools in Alberta require an Instructor Certification as well.

  • Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

The YMCA offers a variety of Advanced Lifesaving Courses! Curious about more courses or have any questions or concerns regarding registration, including full sessions, please feel free to reach out to the Aquatic Leadership Team [email protected].


To secure your place in this program, payment is due at the time of registration.  If you are unable to make a full payment at the time of registration, please contact our Membership Services department by calling 403-942-5757 or by email us at [email protected].


In order to receive member pricing, the membership must remain in effect for the duration of the program.  Should the participant cancel their membership prior to the end of the program, the YMCA of Lethbridge requires the participant to pay the difference between the member and the non-member pricing to continue in the program.

1. Bronze Medallion

Cor Van Raay YMCA
1/11/25 - 10/5/25
VIEW

Bronze Medallion teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries, and defense and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of conscious and unconscious victims.


Prerequisite(s): 13 years or older and current non-expired Intermediate First Aid CPR – C/AED


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times: 

2025

January 11-12 2025

  • All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM

March 1-2 2025

  • All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM

May 3-4 2025

  • All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM

July 7-8 2025

  • All dates 9:00AM-5:00PM

October 4-5 2025

  • All dates 9:00AM-5:00PM

Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 3/1/23 12/31/25 Online / Front Desk $ 137.50$ 165.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
01/11/25 - 01/12/25
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
03/01/25 - 03/02/25
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
3 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
02/28/2025
05/03/25 - 05/04/25
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
9 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
05/02/2025
07/07/25 - 07/08/25
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
12 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025
10/04/25 - 10/05/25
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
12 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025

2. Bronze Cross

Cor Van Raay YMCA
1/17/25 - 10/19/25
VIEW

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 is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certification.


Prerequisite(s): Bronze Medallion and Intermediate First Aid CPR-C/AED


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times:

2025

January 17-19 2025

  • Friday January 17 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • Saturday January 18 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • Sunday January 19 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

March 7-9 2025

  • Friday March 7 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • Saturday March 8 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • Sunday March 9 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

May 9-11 2025

  • Friday May 9 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • Saturday May 10 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • Sunday May 11 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

July 9-11 2025

  • Wednesday July 9 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • Thursday July 10 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • Friday July 11 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

October 17-19 2025

  • Friday October 17 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • Saturday October 18 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • Saturday October 19 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

 


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 3/1/23 12/31/25 Online / Front Desk $ 137.50$ 165.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
01/17/25 - 01/19/25
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
03/07/25 - 03/09/25
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
7 / 12 Available Register  
05/09/25 - 05/11/25
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
6 / 12 Available Register  
07/09/25 - 07/11/25
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
12 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025
10/17/25 - 10/19/25
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
12 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025

3. National Lifeguard Pool/Waterpark

Cor Van Raay YMCA
12/6/24 - 11/30/25
VIEW

National Lifeguard Pool trains lifeguards in safety supervision and rescue in a pool environment.


Prerequisite(s): Bronze Cross, Intermediate First Aid CPR-C/AED and minimum 15 years of age by the end of the course


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times:

December 6-15 2024

  • December 6 & 13 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • December 7, 8, 14, 15 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

2025

February 18-22 2025

  • All dates 9:00AM-5:00PM

April 22-26 2025

  • All dates 9:00AM-5:00PM

June 20-29 2025

  • June 20 & 27 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • June 21, 22, 28, 29 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

November 21-30 2025

  • November 21 & 28 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • November 22, 23, 29, 30 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 11/28/22 12/31/25 Online / Front Desk $ 355.00$ 425.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
Special Rate
12/06/24 - 12/15/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
1 / 12 Available $425 - $475
Registration
Closed on
12/06/2024
02/18/25 - 02/22/25
NL Pool and Waterpark - Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
04/22/25 - 04/26/25
NL Pool and Waterpark - Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
8 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
04/21/2025
06/20/25 - 06/29/25
NL Pool and Waterpark - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
10 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025
11/21/25 - 11/30/25
NL Pool and Waterpark - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
12 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025

4. Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

Cor Van Raay YMCA
1/31/25 - 11/2/25
VIEW

This course is to facilitate learning of participants to Teach lessons and become knowledgeable in Lifesaving Society Leadership Programs.


Prerequisite(s): 15yrs or older and Bronze Cross or higher


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times: 

2025

January 31-February 9 2025

  • January 31 & February 7 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • February 1, 2, 8, 9 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

April 4-13 2025

  • April 4 & 11 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • April 5, 6, 12, 13 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

May 30-June 8 2025

  • May 30 & June 6 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • May 31, June 1, 7, 8 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

October 24-November 2 2025

  • October 24 & 31 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • October 25, 26, November 1, 2 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 11/28/22 12/31/25 Online / Front Desk $ 335.00$ 400.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
01/31/25 - 02/09/25
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
04/04/25 - 04/13/25
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
6 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
04/03/2025
05/30/25 - 06/08/25
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
11 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025
10/24/25 - 11/02/25
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
12 / 12 Available
Registration
will open on
03/01/2025

5. Recert - National Lifeguard Pool/Waterpark

Cor Van Raay YMCA
1/24/25 - 5/25/25
VIEW

Pre requisite: National Lifeguard Pool & Waterpark certification


2025

January 24 – 2:00PM-6:00PM

April 27 – 9:00AM-1:00PM

May 25 – 9:00AM-1:00PM


If you have any questions or concerns regarding registration, please reach out to our Aquatics Team

[email protected]


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 10/1/24 12/31/25 Online / Front Desk $ 85.00$ 100.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
01/24/25
Recert - National Lifeguard Pool & Waterpark - Fr - 2:00 pm - 4 hrs
8 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
01/23/2025
04/27/25
Recert - National Lifeguard Pool & Waterpark - Su - 9:00 am - 4 hrs
12 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
04/26/2025
05/25/25
Recert - National Lifeguard Pool & Waterpark - Su - 9:00 am - 4 hrs
12 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
05/24/2025