YMCA Aquatic Leadership/Certification 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.
2. 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): Bronze Star or 13 years or older and CPR – C
What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.
Dates and Times:
January 13th-14th 2024
- All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM
March 2nd-3rd 2024
- All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM
May 11th-12th 2024
- All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM
October 19th-20th 2024
- All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Members & Non-Members | 3/1/23 | 12/31/24 | Online / Front Desk | $ 150.00 | $ 165.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/13/24 - 01/14/24
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
7 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 01/12/2024 |
|
03/02/24 - 03/03/24
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
7 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 03/01/2024 |
|
05/11/24 - 05/12/24
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 05/10/2024 |
|
10/19/24 - 10/20/24
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 10/18/2024 |
3. 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:
January 19th-21st 2024
- Friday January 19th – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- Saturday January 20th – 9:00AM-5:00PM
- Sunday January 21st – 9:00AM-5:00PM
March 8th-10th 2024
- Friday March 8th – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- Saturday March 9th – 9:00AM-5:00PM
- Sunday March 10th – 9:00AM-5:00PM
May 24th-26th 2024
- Friday May 24th – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- Saturday May 25th – 9:00AM-5:00PM
- Sunday May 26th – 9:00AM-5:00PM
November 1st-3rd 2024
- Friday November 1st – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- Saturday November 2nd – 9:00AM-5:00PM
- Sunday November 3rd – 9:00AM-5:00PM
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Members & Non-Members | 3/1/23 | 12/31/24 | Online / Front Desk | $ 150.00 | $ 165.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/19/24 - 01/21/24
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
6 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 01/19/2024 |
|
03/08/24 - 03/10/24
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
7 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 03/08/2024 |
|
05/24/24 - 05/26/24
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 05/24/2024 |
|
11/01/24 - 11/03/24
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 11/01/2024 |
4. 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:
November 10th – 19th 2023
- November 10th 2:00PM-6:00PM
- November 11th 9:00AM-5:00PM
- November 12th 9:00AM-5:00PM
- November 17th 2:00PM-6:00PM
- November 18th 9:00AM-5:00PM
- November 19th 9:00AM-5:00PM
February 20th – 24th 2024
- All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM
April 2nd – 6th 2024
- All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM
June 21st – 30th 2024
- June 21st 2:00PM-6:00PM
- June 22nd 9:00AM-5:00PM
- June 23rd 9:00AM-5:00PM
- June 28th 2:00PM-6:00PM
- June 29th 9:00AM-5:00PM
- June 30th 9:00AM-5:00PM
December 6th – 15th 2024
- December 6th 2:00PM-6:00PM
- December 7th 9:00AM-5:00PM
- December 8th 9:00AM-5:00PM
- December 13th 2:00PM-6:00PM
- December 14th 9:00AM-5:00PM
- December 15th 9:00AM-5:00PM
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Members & Non-Members | 11/28/22 | 12/31/24 | Online / Front Desk | $ 425.00 | $ 475.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
02/20/24 - 02/24/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
1 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 02/20/2024 |
|
04/02/24 - 04/06/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
4 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 04/02/2024 |
|
06/21/24 - 06/30/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 06/21/2024 |
|
12/06/24 - 12/15/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 12/06/2024 |
5. 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:
December 8th-17th 2023
- December 8 & 15 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- December 9, 10, 16 and 17 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
February 2nd-11th 2024
- February 2 & 9 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- February 3, 4, 10, 11 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
April 19th-28th 2024
- April 19 & 26 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- April 20, 21, 27, 28 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
May 31st-June 9th 2024
- May 31 & June 7 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- June 1, 2, 8, 9 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
November 15th-24th 2024
- November 15 & 22 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
- November 16, 17, 23, 24 – 9:00AM-5:00PM
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Members & Non-Members | 11/28/22 | 12/31/24 | Online / Front Desk | $ 350.00 | $ 400.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
12/08/23 - 12/17/23
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
- | Session is Full | |
02/02/24 - 02/11/24
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
9 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 02/02/2024 |
|
04/19/24 - 04/28/24
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
10 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 04/19/2024 |
|
05/31/24 - 06/09/24
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 05/31/2024 |
|
11/15/24 - 11/24/24
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
|
12 / 12 Available |
Register Closes 11/15/2024 |