How to prepare for a Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross course
About the Courses: Lifeguard Training at Seal Swimming
Are you ready to dive into the world of lifesaving? Whether you’ve already signed up for a Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross course, or are considering it, congratulations! Here’s a brief overview of what these courses entail.
The Lifesaving Society's Bronze Medallion program began in 1896 as Canada's first lifesaving certification. Today, it is the initial step towards becoming a certified lifeguard in Canada. The pathway to becoming a certified National Lifeguard includes:
Bronze Medallion: Prerequisite: 13 years of age
Bronze Cross (Assistant Lifeguard): Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion
Standard First Aid & CPR-C: No prerequisite
National Lifeguard (NLS): Prerequisites: 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid & CPR-C
These courses provide essential rescue skills, fitness, and an impressive addition to your resume. They also help develop soft and transferable skills like confidence, teamwork, and leadership, which are invaluable throughout life.
Types of Courses
Crash Courses: These compact courses take place over a single weekend. Friday evening is dedicated to dry-land activities, while Saturday and Sunday are full days in the pool. The schedule is typically:
Fridays: 18:00 to 21:00
Saturdays and Sundays: 08:00 to 16:00
Summer Courses: Similar to crash courses, these are held over three to five days with a summer camp atmosphere. Expect a longer lunch break and a relaxed learning environment, but the same rigorous standards apply.
Session-long Courses: These courses run over a seasonal swim session, usually nine weeks, with one two-hour session per week. This allows more time to master the physical standards and absorb the material. Candidates also receive home assignments from the Canadian Lifesaving Manual.
Combo Courses: For strong swimmers and confident learners, we offer combo courses that combine the Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross into one comprehensive course. Contact our Customer Success Team for more information.
How to Prepare for Your Course
Plan Ahead: Lifeguard training and aquatic leadership courses require planning. Candidates often map out their goals years in advance. While the prerequisite for Bronze Medallion is age 13, we recommend waiting until then due to the course's responsibility and physical demands.
Get Registered: Register for a course at least a month or two in advance to allow ample time for preparation. This will give you confidence in meeting the physical standards and provide peace of mind.
Swim: Physical preparation is crucial. Upon registration, you’ll receive an email with a discount coupon and an invitation to the Lifeguard Squad program. Candidates must complete swims of 500m in 15 minutes for Bronze Medallion and 600m in 18 minutes for Bronze Cross. Participate in Lane Swimming and other Swim Squad activities to prepare.
Rest: Ensure you are well-rested and mentally alert for the course. For crash courses, cancel other plans for the weekend to focus on the training.
Energize: Bring healthy snacks and a refillable water bottle. A nutritious meal the night before and throughout the course is vital. Pack energy drinks and snacks to stay alert, but remember, no eating on the pool deck!
Pack Your Gear: Bring two swimsuits and two to three towels to avoid wearing soggy gear.
Check Your Emails: Our team will provide more information 48 hours before the course, including lunch orders or delivery plans. For any questions, reach out to us at info@sealswimming.ca.
We hope this information helps you get started with your Bronze Medallion and Cross at Seal Swimming. Our team looks forward to meeting you and supporting your journey through Lifeguard Training courses! Visit our Lifeguard Training page to register today.
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