Lifesaving Society Courses
Steps to becoming a Lifeguard
- Complete Intermediate First Aid (click here)
- Complete Bronze Medallion
- Complete Bronze Cross
- 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
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 | Member | Non-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
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 | Member | Non-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
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 | Member | Non-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
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 | Member | Non-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
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
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-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 |