Open the door to employment opportunities
Open the door to employment and volunteer possibilities through our YMCA Aquatic Certifications programs. Certification as a lifeguard or swimming instructor can lead to employment opportunities at the YMCA and elsewhere. You'll also develop leadership skills that can have a profound impact on your future success.
Certification Programs
Bronze Medallion
In Bronze Medallion we emphasize the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water-rescue education: judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness.
Rescuers will learn tows and carries as well as defence methods and releases, preparing themselves for challenging rescues involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types.
Bronze Medallion is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Bronze Medallion and EFA Certificate Courses
Prerequisite: 13 years old OR 12 years old and have already completed Bronze Star Certification
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Flamborough Family YMCA
Dates: Fri, Sat, Sun | July 4 to July 6
Time: Fri: 4:30pm - 8:30 pm | Sat/Sun: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Dates: Mon - Thurs | July 7 - July 10
Time: 10:00am to 3:30pm
Hamilton Family YMCA
Dates: Mon - Thurs | July 14 - July 17
Time: 10:00am to 3:30pm
Les Chater Family YMCA
Dates: Mon - Fri | July 7 - July 11
Time: 10:00am to 3:30pm
Dates: Mon - Fri | July 21 - July 25
Time: 10:00am to 3:30pm
Dates: Mon - Fri | August 11 - August 22
Time: 10:00am to 3:30pm
Bronze Cross
We offer Bronze Cross classes for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities.
In this class we focus on the principles of teamwork, procedures, and the use of special equipment.
Bronze Cross is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA. It is a prerequisite for all LS advanced training programs, including National Lifeguard and Instructor Certifications (YMCA, Lifesaving Society and Red Cross).
Bronze Cross Certificate Courses
Prerequisite: Must have completed Bronze Medallion and Emergency and CPR B certifications.
Fee: $160 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: Mon - Thurs | July 14 - 17
Time: 10:00am - 3:30pm
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Mon - Fri | July 14 - July 18
Time: 10:00am - 3:30pm
Date: Mon - Fri | July 28 - Aug 1
Time: 10:00am - 3:30pm
Date: Mon - Fri | Aug 18 - Aug 22
Time: 10:00am - 3:30pm
Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Date: June 14-15 & 21-22
Format: 2 Weekend
Time: Sat: 11:00am to 5:00pm | Sun: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Date: Tues - Fri | Aug 5 - Aug 8
Time: 10:00am - 3:30pm
Flamborough Family YMCA
Dates: Fri, Sat, Sun | Aug 8 to Aug 10
Time: Fri: 4:30pm - 8:30 pm | Sat/Sun: 8:30am - 4:30pm
National Lifeguard (NL)
Learn how to fulfill your role as a professional facilitator of safe, enjoyable aquatics for everyone.
The National Lifeguard (NL) course emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and communication in the prevention of accidents and in first aid treatment of medical emergencies.
National Lifeguard is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA. National Lifeguard is the only nationally recognized lifeguard certification in Canada.
National Lifeguard Courses
Prerequisite: 15 years of age; Must already hold both Bronze Cross AND Standard First Aid w/CPR C Certifications
Fee: $295 for YMCA Members | $310 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Aug 25 - Aug 29
Time: 11:00am - 7:30pm
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: July 18 - July 20 & July 25 - July 27
Format: 2 Weekend
Time: Fri: 5:00pm - 9:00pm | Sat/Sun: 9:00am - 5:30pm
National Lifeguard Recertification Courses
Prerequisite: Must already hold National Lifeguard certification (need not be current)
Fee: $80 for YMCA Members | $95 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Date: Saturday, August 30th
Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm
Flamborough Family YMCA
Date: Sunday, August 10th
Time: 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: Sunday, July 13th
Time: 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Sunday, July 27th
Time: 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Standard First Aid + CPR C
Standard First Aid incorporates all the emergency First Aid and is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding including: legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone, joint or chest injuries, and medical emergencies. Includes CPR C certification.
Standard First Aid + CPR C is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Standard First Aid Courses
Prerequisite: None; recommended minimum age is 12
Fee: $130 for YMCA Members | $145 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: Saturday, July 26th & Sunday July 27th
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Date: Saturday, August 23rd & Sunday August 24th
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Wednesday, July 2nd & Thursday, July 3rd
Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Date: Saturday August 16th & Sunday, August 17th
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Standard First Aid Recertification Courses
Prerequisite: Must hold CURRENT Lifesaving Society SFA & CPR C dated within 3 yrs; last course must have been full course
Fee: $65 for YMCA Members | $80 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: Sunday, July 6th
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Thursday, August 7th
Time: 8:30am to 5:30pm
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined)
Take the next step towards employment in Aquatics! Candidates will acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques This course offers a dual certification: Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor certification – prepares candidates to teach and evaluate swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program.
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined) is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA.
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined)
Prerequisite: 15 years of age; Must already hold both Bronze Cross AND Standard First Aid w/CPR C Certifications
Fee: $380 for YMCA Members | $395 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: August 25th - August 29th
Time: 10:00am to 6:30pm
LSS Assistant Instructor
Through classroom learning and in-water practice, the Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor course prepares candidates to help instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes. Candidates are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching while they master basic progressions. The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized.
LSS Examiner Course
The Examiner course is the first step in the three-step process to become certified as an Examiner for the Lifesaving Society. The Examiner course prepares candidates to apprentice successfully as an Examiner on the exam of their choice, and it builds on the evaluation experience that candidates have attained in instructor-evaluated awards and content.
LSS Examiner Course
Prerequisite: LSS Lifesaving Instructor OR SFA Instructor OR National Lifeguard Instructor
Fee: $65 for YMCA Members | $80 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Saturday, August 2nd
Time: 1:00pm - 7:00pm
LSS Instructor Recertification Course
The Lifesaving Society Instructor Recertification course focuses on the competencies learned in the Instructor course and provides a refresher to those competencies. This course provides the 4 points required to complete the leadership recertification. NOTE: This course does not automatically recertify an LSS Instructor; upon completion, candidates must complete the LSS online recertification process to be recertified.
Lifesaving Society Instructor Recertification Course
Prerequisite: Current or expired Lifesaving Society Instructor (any), Examiner (any) or Examiner Mentor
Fee: $40 for YMCA Members | $55 for non-members
National Lifeguard Instructor Course
The National Lifeguard Instructor course provides candidates with an understanding of the principles and practices on which the National Lifeguard program is based and explores teaching approaches and techniques appropriate for National Lifeguard candidates. After successful participation in the National Lifeguard Instructor course, National Lifeguard Instructors are certified to teach the National Lifeguard option(s) they hold.
National Lifeguard Instructor Course
Prerequisite: National Lifeguard (any option); Lifesaving Instructor; Recommended - Bronze Examiner, lifeguarding experience. NOTE: Precourse assignment required
Fee: $150 for YMCA Members | $165 for non-members
Upcoming Courses
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: August 16th & August 17th
Time: 9:00am - 6:00pm
