Become a Lifeguard Program What is this program and how does it work? The Become a Lifeguard Program is a program that combines the following courses: Bronze Medallion, Emergency First Aid, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid, National Lifeguard, and (optional) Lifesaving and Swim Instructor. This program is meant to be a fast-track set of courses to becoming a lifeguard for those who may not be able to afford this training otherwise. In exchange for providing this course for free we require 20 hours of volunteer on deck so that candidates can get experience of what it means to be a lifeguard. Why is it free/do I qualify? In recent years there has been a shortage of lifeguards in Canada due to raising certification costs and raising minimum wage overall. The Boys and Girls Club (as well as other institutions) have suffered from this shortage and so we are aiming to put more people through leadership courses and hopefully offer some newly qualified lifeguards a job! The money for the courses is being paid through a grant. The grant requires the following in order to qualify: - At least 15 years of age - A valid SIN number - No prior work experience (volunteer is alright) - Be a Canadian citizen OR able to work legally in Canada In order to take the entire program we require the following: - 16 years of age by the end of the NL course - Passing our pre-program swim test The swim test is on the following page and may be conducted at any pool. A National Lifeguard certified lifeguard must sign off on it.
Become a Lifeguard Swimming Test This swim test is designed to give you an idea of the fitness/swimming ability necessary for leadership courses. If you cannot pass the swim test we recommend practicing/taking lessons until you can. Have each item checked off by an NL trained lifeguard and then have the guard sign the bottom. Fitness Ability Swim 100m using any stroke or combination of strokes in less than 3 minutes. Tread water with a 10lb brick, held at the surface for at least 30 seconds. Tow a victim of the same height as the rescuer 50m. The victim may not kick or help in any way but a floatation device may be used. Technique 25m Front Crawl with face in the water, breathing to the side, consistent kicking from the hip. 25m Breast Stroke with face in OR out of the water, propulsive whip kick, propulsive hand motions. Candidate Name Date Lifeguard Name LSS # Date
Dates of Courses Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid October 14,15, 21, 22, 28, 29, November 4, 5 4:00-8:00pm Bronze Cross & Standard First Aid November 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, December 2, 3 4:00-8:30pm National Lifeguard December 8,9,10 + 15,16,17 Fri 5-9pm, Sat/Sun 9-5pm 20 Volunteer hours may be completed while the National Lifeguard Course is running or afterwards. If you would like to take the next course they must be completed prior to starting that course. Swim & Lifesaving Instructor In December, you will be notified of the dates. Cost: This program requires $80 for course materials plus instructing fee.
Jr. Lifeguard (BAL Program) Volunteering As a part of your agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of London you are required to complete 20 hours of guarding. Please take a look and sign to indicate you are aware of what your responsibilities are as a Jr. Lifeguard. Guarding Because you are not yet qualified with your National Lifeguard, you cannot guard a pool completely alone. If a guard tries to make you do this, please report them to your supervisor. You may guard up to 12 patrons in an area as long as an NL certified lifeguard is on deck. More than 12 patrons require an NL certified guard to be actively guarding the area with you. Do not distract lifeguards from their duties. To prevent chatting, stay at least 3m away from the other guards while guarding. You may ask questions during your breaks. While guarding you are should be looking at everyone in the pool and determining whether they need help or not. Once you ve looked at every person you repeat the process and look at them all again. You may enforce rules or do other tasks (ex. wetting a slide) while watching your area. If you are having trouble scanning or knowing what to watch for, please consult a lifeguard. Rescues A Jr. Lifeguard is expected to use their Bronze Cross skills in the event of rescue. You should alert a lifeguard immediately and then respond in the way that you ve been taught to in your Bronze courses. Make sure you listen and perform any orders a lifeguard gives you. A Jr. Lifeguard should never have to deal with a situation completely alone. An NL certified lifeguard should take over. If you have any questions/concerns feel free to ask after the situation has been taken care of. Working Breaks A Jr. Lifeguard should have regular breaks at the same intervals as the NL lifeguards on duty. Unless formally designated as a meal break your breaks will be considered working breaks which means you will need to remain within earshot of the pool so that you can help when needed.
If any tasks need to be completed (ex. pool tests, cleaning up equipment, etc.) then you should be taking this time to do them. Lessons Jr. Lifeguards should never be left alone with students in the pool. If a lifeguard tries to do this, please report them to your supervisor. A Jr. Lifeguard s job is to assist a lifeguard with their lessons by grabbing equipment, keeping kids occupied as they wait for their turn, holding kids during their skills, keeping kids safe, doing demonstrations, etc. Try not to give feedback or tips unless directed by the lifeguard you re with. You may teach an activity if you discuss and plan it with the lifeguard ahead of time. Pool Maintenance On your volunteer shift you may be given tasks to complete. A lifeguard or supervisor should review how to complete tasks with you and don t be afraid to ask any questions. A lifeguard should NOT allow you to touch chemicals (ex. adding chlorine to the pool etc.) If this occurs please do not touch the chemicals and alert your supervisor. Unacceptable Behaviors Jr. Lifeguards are here to learn. We expect you to make mistakes and ask questions. However, the following behaviors have been deemed unacceptable and will result in a removal from volunteer shifts and possibly the BAL program. - Distracting lifeguards from their duties - Disrespectful behaviour towards lifeguards, supervisors or patrons - Inappropriate behaviour/conversation that would fall under discrimination or harassment - Disregarding lifeguard/supervisor orders EXCEPT to decline unsafe work - Presenting yourself as an employee/nl certified lifeguard (as opposed to a volunteer) - Leaving during a shift without notifying anyone about your whereabouts - Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol Candidate s Name Date
BAL Program Volunteer Tracking Date of shift: Tasks completed: Supervisor s Signature: Time of shift: Pool work completed at: One thing I learned on this shift was: Date of shift: Tasks completed: Supervisor s Signature: Time of shift: Pool work completed at: One thing I learned on this shift was: Date of shift: Tasks completed: Supervisor s Signature: Time of shift: Pool work completed at: One thing I learned on this shift was: