If you are enrolled in Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard Service Award (NLS), Lifesaving Standard First Aid or Aquatic Emergency Care (AEC) you are on your way to earning 2 credits for physical education for high school graduation This full range of courses, as listed must be completed to be eligible and all courses must be from the Lifesaving Society. Standard First Aid courses from other organizations do not meet the criteria. Certifications do not have to be current and do not have to be completed in one year.  Individuals who want to claim credits simply complete the appropriate form, available from their school or the Lifesaving Society, forward it to the Lifesaving Society, and the Society will attach to official transcript of awards and submit the form to the Department of Education.

Course content in lifesaving and lifeguarding programming provides strong elements of physical fitness, leadership and vocational skills as well as lifesaving skills of rescue and aquatic first aid.   Courses are aimed at the junior high and high school levels, with some participants completing Bronze Star, the entry level course, at age 10 or 11, dependent on their skill and maturity levels. 

For years physical education has not been a component of high school education but in September 2005 and onwards, every student entering high school was required to complete two credits in physical education.   Lifesaving and lifeguarding courses are now an option to individuals who are interested in pursuing these external credits.

Aquatic facilities across the province offer these programs and others which make up the programming packages from the Lifesaving Society.   We encourage individuals to contact their local pool for course registration details or more information.  You can find the Lifesaving Society application and list of courses is in the High School Certification Handbook 2009/2010 on page 87. 

The Lifesaving Society is Canada’s lifeguarding expert.  The Society works to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, Water Smart® public education campaign and aquatic safety management services.  Each year, the Society certifies over 700,000 people in its lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses.

Download the application form for External High School Credits.

Please note:  To qualify for Lifesaving Society External High School Credits ALL courses must be from the Lifesaving Society.  Standard First Aid courses from other organizations will not be accepted.


Lifesaving Society
11 Austin Street
PO Box 8065, Station A
St. John's, NL  A1B 3M9

Contact us  lifeguard@nl.rogers.com
Tel: 709-576-1953
Fax: 709-738-1475

Copyright 2012 by The Royal Life Saving Society Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch.
Registered Charity No. 13237 8134 RP0001