Lifesaving and swim certifications
Benefits of swim certifications
- Swim for Life® Instructor certification qualifies you to apply for jobs teaching the Lifesaving Swim for Life® programs
- National lifeguard certification qualifies you for lifeguard positions
- Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross certification prepares you for the Swim for Life® Instructor or National Lifeguard certifications
- Learn valuable life-saving and first aid skills
- Develop high-level swim skills
- Obtain survival and rescue skills
- Excellent health and fitness benefits
Winter registration dates
- 6 a.m. — Online (virtual waiting room opens at 5:30 a.m.)
- 8:30 a.m. — By calling the Customer Service Centre at 403-268-3800 (option 1)
- During business hours — At any City-operated Aquatic & Recreation or Arts facility
Types of lifesaving and swim certifications
You can register online, in person at our Recreation facilities, or by calling
403-268-3800 (option 1).
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Learn advanced lifesaving skills that will prepare you for lifeguarding. Bronze Cross is required for National Lifeguard and instructor certifications. Full attendance is required and a practical test must be passed for certification.
Age: 13+
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion Award and a current Alberta workplace approved Intermediate First Aid Certification
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This course is designed for people who have an expired Bronze Cross Award. You will learn updated techniques and first aid skills. Full attendance is required and a practical test must be passed for recertification.
Age: 13+
Prerequisite: Previously held a Bronze Cross Award (please bring proof of certification on the first day)
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You will begin to understand lifesaving principles and learn the four components of water rescue. You will also learn CPR-C and AED. Full attendance is required and a practical test must be passed for certification.
Age: 13+
Prerequisite: Bronze Star or 13 years old
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Kids and teens will learn the skills necessary for Bronze Medallion. They will grow their confidence in the water and learn CPR-A. Full attendance is required and a practical test must be passed for certification.
Age: 12 - 17 years
Prerequisite: Swim Patrol: Rookie, Ranger or Star, or Swimmer 6 or equivalent
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Kids and teens will increase their swimming ability and be introduced to lifesaving skills, through in-water and pool deck activities.
Ages: 8 - 17 years
Prerequisite: Swim at least 50 metres and tread water for one minute.
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Learn the skills necessary to teach Swim for Life® swimming lessons, Canadian Swim Patrol and Bronze level courses. You will also be certified in CPR. Full attendance is required and a practical test must be passed for certification.
Age: 15+
Prerequisite: Current Bronze Cross or higher
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Renew your certification, learn updates for Swim for Life® swimming lessons, Canadian Swim Patrol and Bronze level courses. Full attendance is required and a practical observation must be passed for certification.
Age: 15+
Prerequisite: Swim for Life® 2015 Mandatory update and First Aid and Resuscitation Content 2016 mandatory update/2021 Bronze update
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Expand on the skills and judgement you learned in Bronze Cross to become a certified lifeguard. Full attendance is required and a practical test must be passed for certification.
Age: 15+
Prerequisite: Bronze Cross and current Intermediate First Aid certifications
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Renew your National Lifeguard certification. You will learn new lifesaving techniques and practice previously learned skills. Full attendance is required and a practical test must be passed for certification.
Age: 16+
Prerequisite: National Lifeguard certification
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Kids and teens will increase their individual fitness levels and swimming skills, as well as continue to learn first aid skills in this pre-Bronze program. They will work on meeting a timed 100 metre and 350 metre workout, swimming with clothes on, conducting primary assessments and initiating first aid skills and victim recognition.
Ages: 8 - 17 years
Prerequisite: Swimmer 6
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This pre-Bronze program will help to prepare your kid/teen for the Bronze Star. This program has three modules that will focus on water proficiency, first aid skills and recognition and rescue techniques. Skills learned include timed and endurance swims, swimming with clothes on, Water Smart® behaviour, rescue skills and first aid performance.
Age: 8 - 17 years
Prerequisite: Swimmer 6
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This pre-Bronze program will enhance kids and teens in-water skills, first aid skills and recognition and rescue knowledge. They will work on meeting timed and endurance swim requirements, refining swim strokes and first aid performance.
Age: 8 - 17 years
Prerequisite: Swim Patrol: Rookie
About our swim instructors
Our instructors have Bronze Cross or higher certification with current CPR Level C and Intermediate First Aid training. They are qualified to teach and evaluate Swim for Life® programs, Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross.
What are lessons like?
Classes are both in and out of the pool. Depending on the course, there may be written study material, theory and sessions on practical application.
You'll be expected to show water proficiency, learn recognition and rescue techniques, and tain in CPR and/or First Aid skills.
Come prepared
Participants must wear swim wear and bring a towel. Swim goggles are optional. All other required equipment and lifejackets are provided. Lifeguard on duty on pool deck.
Non-Traditional Bathing Wear Policy
The City of Calgary Recreation is committed to providing an aquatic environment where individuals from all ethnic and religious backgrounds are comfortable participating in activities in and around the water. We want all customers to feel safe and welcome at our facilities, and have therefore adopted a non-traditional bathing wear policy as outlined below.
In addition to conventional swim wear, participants may wear:
- Long-sleeved pants and shirts, tee-shirts and shorts with undergarments or a swim suit worn underneath.
- Traditional ethnic clothing (e.g. saris and hijabs) with a swim suit or undergarments worn underneath. For safety reasons, patrons wearing traditional garments such as saris are asked to remain in the shallow end of the pool and to refrain from using the dive tank.
In order to ensure that our aquatic environments are safe and free from any external contaminants, all participants are required to:
- Wear clothing that is different from the clothing worn to the facility
- Take a complete and cleansing shower (while clothed in the swim attire that will be worn in the water) before entering the pool
Through this policy, Recreation affirms its commitment to recognizing and valuing the diversity of our customers.
More swimming lessons
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Parent & Tot programs that focus on structured in-water interactions stressing the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills.
Ages: over 6 months + adult
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Preschoolers learn to enter and exit shallow water safely and gain comfort with floats and back glides while wearing lifejackets.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
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Swim programs designed to challenge endurance and help develop swimming strokes and skills for those that can already swim independently.
Ages: 6 - 17 years
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Swim programs for beginners who want to gain confidence in the water or improve their technique and endurance while learning to swim.
Ages: 13 + years
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A customized, one-on-one swim program designed to focus on specific goals and for individuals who require additional support.
Ages: 3+ years.