First Aid

The Lifesaving Society, Nova Scotia Branch, offers CSA first aid courses through our affilaites. Our courses meet the requirements for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in Nova Scotia.

Basic Workplace First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid)

The Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration recognizes this course. Basic Workplace First Aid: Includes CPR-B certification (Adult CPR) and AED training. Basic Workplace First Aid is for people who need a general understanding of first aid principles and emergency treatment of injuries. Skills include victim assessment, rescue breathing, CPR, choking, and allergies, managing severe bleeding, heart attack and stroke.

Intermediate Workplace First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid)

The Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration recognizes this course. Includes CPR-C certification and AED training. Intermediate Workplace First Aid provides comprehensive training covering all first aid and CPR. Intermediate Workplace First Aid incorporates all of Basic Workplace First Aid. It is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding of first aid, including the legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat and cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns, and medical emergencies.

Bronze Awards

Bronze Star

The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and provides a fun introduction to lifesaving sport.

Bronze Medallion

The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate 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. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross

The Lifesaving Society’s 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. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.

National Lifeguard

National Lifeguard education is designed to develop a sound understanding of Lifeguard principles, good judgement and a mature and responsible attitude towards the role of the lifeguard. The course develops the basic lifeguarding skills, principles and decision-making processes that will assist the lifeguard to evaluate and adapt to different aquatic emergencies. National Lifeguard is the industry-accepted standard for lifeguards in Canada. It is recognised by the International Life Saving Federation and the Commonwealth Royal Life Saving Society.

Options: National Lifeguard certification is available in four options: Pool, Waterpark, Waterfront and Surf

Assistant Instructor

Swim Instructor

The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the Instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques. Current Swim Instructors teach and certify candidates in all levels of the Swim for Life and Canadian Swim Patrol programs.

Lifesaving Instructor

The Lifesaving Instructor course prepares individuals to organize, plan, teach and evaluate lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in the Society's lifesaving and first aid awards. In Nova Scotia, the Society's Basic Workplace First Aid and Intermediate Workplace First Aid certifications are recognized by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education. Because of this, this course may be combined with the First Aid Instructor Course to allow for Bronze level and First Aid co-delivery.

Current Lifesaving Instructors teach and certify:

Canadian Swim Patrol Program
Junior lifeguard club
Bronze star
Fundamental Workplace First Aid

Current Lifesaving Instructors teach, but only Examiners may certify:

Bronze Medallion
Bronze Cross

National Lifeguard Instructor

The National Lifeguard Instructor course provides candidates with an understanding of the principles and practices on which the National Lifeguard program is based and explores teaching approaches and techniques appropriate for National Lifeguard candidates.

Pre-requisites for the National Lifeguard Instructor:

National Lifeguard (any option)
Lifesaving Instructor
Recommended: Bronze examiner, experience lifeguarding

First Aid Instructor

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