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.
Prerequisite: Must be 13 years or older, or have completed Bronze Star
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Medallion and EFA Certificate Courses
Date: Jan 12 - Feb 9
Time: 5 Weeks, Sunday 2pm - 6 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 for non-members
Date: Feb 23 - March 23
Time: 5 Weeks, Sunday 2pm - 6 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 for non-members
Date: March 22, 23, 29
Time: 2 Weekends (Sat/Sun/Sat) 8 am - 4 pm
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 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 (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).
Prerequisite: Must have completed Bronze Medallion and Emergency and CPR B certifications.
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Cross
Date: Jan 12 - Feb 9
Time: 5 Weeks, Sunday 2 pm - 6 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $160 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
Date: Jan 18+19, 25+26
Time: 2 Weekends 11 am - 5 pm Sat, 11 am - 4 pm Sun
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $160 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
Date: Feb 23 - March 23
Time: 5 Weeks, Sunday 2 pm - 6 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $160 for YMCA members | $175 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 (LSS) 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: Feb 23 - March 23, 5 Weeks
Time: Sunday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $295 for YMCA members | $310 for non-members
Date: March 10 - 14
Time: Monday - Friday 10 am - 6:30 pm
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $295 for YMCA members | $310 for non-members
National Lifeguard Recertification Course
Date: Feb 15th
Time: 12 pm - 5 pm
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $80 for YMCA members, $95 for non-members
Date: March 30th
Time: 2 pm - 7 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $80 for YMCA members, $95 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 (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Upcoming Courses
Date: Jan 25-26
Time: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $130 for YMCA members, $145 for non-members
Date: Feb 22 - 23
Time: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $130 for YMCA members, $145 for non-members
Standard First Aid + CPR C RECERTIFICATION COURSES
Date: Jan 11
Time: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $65 for YMCA members, $80 for non-members
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)
Date: Jan 12 - Feb 9
Time: 5 Weeks, Saturday 9:30 am - 6 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $380.00 for YMCA Members | $395.00 for non-members
Date: March 10 - 14
Time: Monday - Friday 10 am - 6:30 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $380.00 for YMCA Members | $395.00 for non-members
Prerequisite(s): Must be 15 years of age or older; Must hold Bronze Cross certification or higher.
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor RECERTIFICATION
Date: Feb 16
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $40.00 for YMCA Members | $55.00 for non-members
Prerequisite: Current or expired Lifesaving Society
Instructor (any), Examiner (any) or
Examiner Mentor
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 Assistant Instructor
No Posted Dates
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
Date: Sunday, January 5th 2025
Time: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $65 for YMCA members | $80 for non-members
Prerequisite: LSS Lifesaving Instructor OR SFA Instructor OR National Lifeguard Instructor
