Careers in Aquatics

Join the team at Harbour Pool and help create a safe, fun, and inclusive aquatic environment for the community. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your career, we offer opportunities in lifeguarding, swim instruction, and aquatic leadership. Learn more about certifications and training.

Becoming a Lifeguard

Already have your Lifeguard certificate? Learn how to become an Instructor.

Bronze Star

Bronze Star is the starting point for individuals who are interested in becoming lifeguards and / or swim instructors, but who are not yet 13 years old. In Bronze Star, candidates develop swimming proficiency, lifesaving skills, and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. There is no prerequisite for Bronze Star (aside from a minimum age of 8 years old), although experience in the Canadian Swim Patrol levels (Rookie, Ranger, and Star Patrol) is recommended. Completion of Bronze Star enables the candidate to bypass the age prerequisite for Bronze Medallion / CPR-C. If the candidate is 13 years of age or older, they may skip Bronze Star and enroll directly into Bronze Medallion / CPR-C.

Bronze Medallion / CPR-C

Bronze Medallion / CPR-C is the starting point for individuals who are interested in becoming lifeguards and / or swim instructors who are 13 years of age or older. Bronze Medallion is designed to challenge candidates both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. There is no prerequisite for Bronze Medallion / CPR-C, aside from a minimum age of 13 years or prior completion of Bronze Star.

Intermediate First Aid CPR-C and AED / Aquatic Emergency Care and Oxygen Administration

Intermediate First Aid CPR-C and AED provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. The course is for those who want an in-depth understanding of first aid such as medical/legal aspects, spinal injuries, environmental injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns, and medical emergencies. The course includes CPR-C and AED certification. Aquatic Emergency Care and Oxygen Administration are additional modules that are considered an asset in your journey. Aquatic Emergency Care provides comprehensive training covering emergencies specific to aquatic environments, including aquatic spinal injuries and pressure-related injuries. Oxygen Administration provides the knowledge and techniques for the use of oxygen as a supplement in an emergency care situation. There is no prerequisite for this course.

Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. The prerequisites for Bronze Cross include previous completion of Bronze Medallion and a current Alberta workplace approved Standard First Aid certification (Standard First Aid CPR-C and AED / Aquatic Emergency Care / Oxygen Administration is sufficient to meet this prerequisite).

National Lifeguard

The Lifesaving Society’s National Lifeguard certification builds on the fundamental skills, knowledge, fitness, judgment, and values taught in the prerequisite Lifesaving Society lifesaving certifications. Recognized as the standard for lifeguards in Canada, National Lifeguard training develops a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment, and a mature and responsible attitude toward the role of the lifeguard. The primary role of the National Lifeguard is the prevention of emergency situations, and the timely and effective resolution of emergencies. The National Lifeguard certification prepares lifeguards to fulfill this role as professional facilitators of safe, enjoyable aquatics. The National Lifeguard program develops the basic lifeguarding skills, principles, and decision-making process to help lifeguards evaluate and adapt to different aquatic facilities and emergencies. The prerequisites for National Lifeguard include a minimum age of 16 years, previous completion of Bronze Cross, and a current Alberta workplace approved Standard First Aid certification (Standard First Aid CPR-C and AED / Aquatic Emergency Care / Oxygen Administration is sufficient to meet this prerequisite).

Ready to register in Lifeguard training?

Call Harbour Pool at 780-992-6161.
 

Becoming an Instructor

Bronze Star

Bronze Star is the starting point for individuals who are interested in becoming lifeguards and / or swim instructors, but who are not yet 13 years old. In Bronze Star, candidates develop swimming proficiency, lifesaving skills, and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. There is no prerequisite for Bronze Star (aside from a minimum age of 8 years old), although experience in the Canadian Swim Patrol levels (Rookie, Ranger, and Star Patrol) is recommended. Completion of Bronze Star enables the candidate to bypass the age prerequisite for Bronze Medallion / CPR-C. If the candidate is 13 years of age or older, they may skip Bronze Star and enroll directly into Bronze Medallion / CPR-C.

Bronze Medallion / CPR-C

Bronze Medallion / CPR-C is the starting point for individuals who are interested in becoming lifeguards and / or swim instructors who are 13 years of age or older. Bronze Medallion is designed to challenge candidates both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. There is no prerequisite for Bronze Medallion / CPR-C, aside from a minimum age of 13 years or prior completion of Bronze Star.

Intermediate First Aid CPR-C and AED / Aquatic Emergency Care and Oxygen Administration

Intermediate First Aid CPR-C and AED provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. The course is for those who want an in-depth understanding of first aid such as medical/legal aspects, spinal injuries, environmental injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns, and medical emergencies. The course includes CPR-C and AED certification. Aquatic Emergency Care and Oxygen Administration are additional modules that are considered an asset in your journey. Aquatic Emergency Care provides comprehensive training covering emergencies specific to aquatic environments, including aquatic spinal injuries and pressure-related injuries. Oxygen Administration provides the knowledge and techniques for the use of oxygen as a supplement in an emergency care situation. There is no prerequisite for this course.

Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. The prerequisites for Bronze Cross include previous completion of Bronze Medallion and a current Alberta workplace approved Standard First Aid certification (Standard First Aid CPR-C and AED / Aquatic Emergency Care / Oxygen Administration is sufficient to meet this prerequisite).

Swim Instructor

Swim Instructors are responsible for teaching and evaluating candidates participating in the Swim for Life® and Canadian Swim Patrol programs – that is, all Parent & Tot, Preschool, and Swimmer levels, as well as Rookie, Ranger, and Star Patrol. The prerequisites for Swim Instructor include a minimum age of 16 years and previous completion of Bronze Cross.

Ready to register in Instructor training?

Call Harbour Pool at 780-992-6161.