If you are enrolled in Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National
Lifeguard, Lifesaving Standard First Aid or Aquatic Emergency Care
you are on your way to earning two credits for physical education
for high school graduation. All courses listed must be completed
and awarded from the Lifesaving Society to be eligible. 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
must complete the appropriate form (available from their school or
the Lifesaving Society) and forward it to the Lifesaving Society
who will attach the 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 since September 2005 every student entering
high school is required to complete 2 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 that 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 in the High School Certification Handbook 2019/2020
on page 79.
How to apply
To apply for the external credits, complete the application form
and send it to the Lifesaving Society by email, fax or general
mail. Do not attached copies of your certifications and do not send
the application directly to the Department of Education. The
Department of Education only accepts applications and official
transcripts directly from the Lifesaving Society.
Once we receive your application, the Society generates your
official transcript of awards and submits the application to the
Department of Education, usually within 24 hours. If you would like
confirmation of submission to the Department of Education, please
indicate an email address when applying.
The Department of Education will contact the school and
individual when the credits have been applied.