Learn essential lifesaving skills
At Making Waves, our commitment to aquatic safety runs deep, which is why we offer a host of Lifesaving Courses. The Swim Patrol courses will introduce your child to first aid practices and lifesaving skills, the Bronze Medal Courses will challenge them with more advanced skills including CPR. We are pleased to offer these courses in Brampton, Milton and Mississauga.
Interested candidates should contact their nearest location to learn more.
Swim Patrol – Rookie Level
Prerequisite: Big Wave Level 10 recommended (Minimum Level 8), Ideal Age 8-12
Swimmers continue stroke development with 50-metre swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving sport skills include a 25-metre obstacle swim and 15-metre object carry. First aid will focus on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS, and treatment for bleeding. Fitness improvements are tested in 350-metre workouts and 100-metre timed swims.
Class Ratio: 12:1
Swim Patrol – Ranger Level
Prerequisite: Rookie recommended, Ideal Age 8-12
Swimmers will develop better strokes over 75-metre swims of each stroke. They will tackle lifesaving skills in a lifesaving medley and timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid will focus on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock, and obstructed airway procedures. Skill drills will develop a strong lifesaving foundation.
Class Ratio: 12:1
Swim Patrol – Star Patrol
Prerequisite: Ranger recommended, Ideal Age 8-12
Swimmers will be challenged with 600-metre workouts, 300-metre timed swims and a 25-metre object carry. Strokes are refined over 100-metre swims. First aid will focus on treatment of bone or joint injuries and respiratory emergencies including asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills will include defence methods, victim removal and rolling over and supporting a victim face up in shallow water.
Class Ratio: 12:1
Bronze Medal Classes
Over 800,000 Canadians participate in Lifesaving Society training programs every year including all of Canada’s National Lifeguards. Making Waves offers the Lifesaving Society Bronze Medal courses including the Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross. These fun and challenging courses will get you started on the road to Lifeguarding and Instructing!
Bronze Star
Prerequisite(s): Star Patrol recommended, ideal age 11-12 years old
Students will become stronger swimmers, learn CPR, and practice problem-solving and decision-making. The Bronze Star provides excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and includes a timed 400-metre swim.
Class Ratio: 12:1
Bronze Medallion Plus Emergency First Aid & CPR-B
Prerequisite(s): Bronze Star Certification or must be 13 years of age by examination date
Materials Required: Canadian Lifesaving Manual
Students will gain an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water-rescue education – judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries, defence methods, and releases in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious and unconscious victims. Lifesavers will develop stroke efficiency and endurance will be tested in a 500-metre timed swim. This course combines the Bronze Medallion and the Lifesaving Society Emergency First Aid/CPR-B certifications into one course.
Class Ratio: 16:1
Bronze Cross Plus Standard First Aid & CPR-C
Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion award AND either Emergency First Aid with CPR-B certification OR Standard First Aid with CPR-C certification prior to attending the course
Materials Required: Canadian Lifesaving Manual
This course is designed for lifesavers that want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. The Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor Certification. Endurance will be tested with a timed 600-metre swim. This course combines Bronze Cross with the Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid/CPR-C and Automatic External Defibrillation certifications into one course.
Class Ratio: 16:1
National Lifeguard
Prerequisites: Minimum 15 years of age by examination date, Bronze Cross certification (need not be current), Standard First Aid certification from one of the following agencies: Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Ski Patrol (need not be current).
National Lifeguard is a nationally recognized Lifeguard certification program. National Lifeguard is a legal certificate for lifeguarding throughout the country, and one of the only lifeguard certificate recognized by the province of Ontario.
Class Ratio: 16:1