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 Star
Excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills individually and in partners. Candidates learn CPR and develop the lifesaving skills needed to be their own lifeguard. Includes a timed 400 m swim.
Prerequisite: None (Swim Patrol experience recommended.)
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 (LS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Prerequisite: Must be 13 years or older, or have completed Bronze Star
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Medallion and EFA Certificate Courses
Date: Sep 23 - Oct 28 (no class Thanksgiving Oct 8)
Time: 5 Weeks - Saturdays
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $175 for YMCA Members | $185 for non-members
Date: October 13 - 15
Friday - Sunday
Location: Ron Edwards Family YMCA
Fee: $175 for YMCA Members | $185 for non-members
Date: October 27 - 29
Friday - Sunday
Location: Laurier-Brantford YMCA
Fee: $175 for YMCA Members | $185 for non-members
Date: November 5th - December 3rd
Time: Sundays - 5 weeks
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $175 for YMCA Members | $185 for non-members
Date: January 2nd - 5th
Time: Tuesday - Friday
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $175 for YMCA Members | $185 for non-members
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 (LS) 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).
Prerequisite: Must have completed Bronze Medallion and Emergency and CPR B certifications.
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Cross
Date: Nov 4th - Dec 1
Time: Saturdays - 5 Weeks
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $155 for YMCA members | $165 for non-members
Date: Nov 5th - Dec 3
Time: Sundays - 5 Weeks
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $155 for YMCA members | $165 for non-members
Date: December 1st - 3rd
Time: Friday to Sunday
Location: Laurier-Brantford YMCA
Fee: $155 for YMCA members | $165 for non-members
Date: January 2nd - 5th
Time: Tuesday - Friday
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $155 for YMCA members | $165 for non-members
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 (LS) certification offered through the YMCA. National Lifeguard is the only nationally recognized lifeguard certification in Canada.
Prerequisite: Must be 15 years or older and have completed Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid and CPR C certifications.
Upcoming Courses
National Lifeguard Course
Date: December 8th - 9th, 15th - 17th
Time: Two Weekends, Friday to Sunday
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $265 for YMCA members | $280 for non-members
National Lifeguard Recertification Course
Date: October 29th
Time: Sunday, 4 - 6 hours
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $75 for YMCA members | $85 for non-members
Date: December 17th
Time: Sunday, 4 - 6 hours
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $75 for YMCA members | $85 for non-members
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 (LS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Upcoming Courses
LSS Standard First Aid & CPR C
Date: October 28th - 29th
Time: Saturday/Sunday
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $115 for YMCA members | $125 for non-members
Date: December 28th - 29th
Time: Thursday/Friday
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $115 for YMCA members | $125 for non-members
LSS Standard First Aid & CPR C - RECERTIFICATION
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 (LS) certification offered through the YMCA.
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined)
Date: August 28 - Sep. 01
Time: Mon - Fri, 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $350.00 for YMCA Members | $375.00 for non-members
Prerequisite(s): Must be 15 years of age or older; Must hold Bronze Cross certification or higher.
