FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Most questions asked can be answered by instructors or facilities where you take your course or found in the Lifesaving Society's Member Services and Program Guide. If you can't find the answer to your question here, just contact the Branch Office. We're happy to help.

How long are my awards good for?

Every award issued by the Lifesaving Society is an award for life.

For employment purposes, 'current' means two years from the date printed on the front of your award card.

For CPR, we recommend that you recertify that award annually.

For Emergency or Standard First Aid, recertification is every three years, which meets industry standards.

Is there a grace period for expired awards?

No.
Once you have passed the two years from the certification date without successfully completing another examination of your skills, you are not current. If you work as a lifeguard after your award has expired, you put yourself and your facility in a liability position should an incident occur.

How can I replace a lost card?

The Lifesaving Society's branch office can issue a replacement card. Have your name, date of birth and your award level ready when you phone. There is a fee of $5.75 for each replacement card issued.

I want to lifeguard in another province. What do I do?

Transfer your awards to Lifesaving Society office of the province you're heading for. They will then have your records on file should you wish to recertify an award or complete another level.

The same applies if you're returning to Newfoundland and Labrador and have completed awards in another province. Contact the branch office where you were living and ask them to transfer your awards to the NL branch.

Can I transfer my lifeguard certifications from another country?

The Lifesaving Society does not recognize foreign awards as equivalent to our lifeguard awards.. It has not been the Society's practice to accept or define the lifesaving or lifeguard training or awards of other organiations such as the American Red Cross Pool Lifeguard award as equivalent to Lifesaving Society awards. The practice is to require a lifeguard to obtain the Canadian certification. - NLS. The Society does provide a process that will permit a foreign lifeguard to acquire an NLS certification in order to lifeguard in Canada. Depending on the foreign award and the certifier, there are 2 routes to acquire the NLS award.

1. RLSS Pool Lifeguard Awards from the UK, Australia and New Zealand

2. Other Foreign Awards

Consult the NL policy on Recognition of Foreign Lifeguard Awards for further details or contact our Branch Office.

What's the ratio of swimmers in a pool to lifeguard on deck?

Check the Provincial Pool Regulations
If you are running a waterfront or camp, provincial pool regulations do not apply. For guidelines, please contact the NL branch office.

Last Updated: July 12, 2006