The updated National Lifeguard program contains improvements to test item descriptions, purpose statements, Must See’s and notes. Some items have been replaced or combined, and a few have been added.
Single Lifeguard and Team Situations: In Pool and Waterfront options, instructors will find lifeguard situations presented separately to facilitate independent evaluation of the single lifeguard response versus lifeguard team responses.
Rescue Aid Proficiency: Newly designed to demonstrate candidates’ mastery of this fundamental lifeguard skill.
Measurable Physical Standards: All physical standards now have measurable time, distance, and weight requirements. Fitness items in which candidates have carried a victim have been retired, repurposed, or absorbed into other skill items. For example, the “Spinal Carry” (Waterpark) is retired, and “Rescue Drill” (Pool) is now a skill item with no time requirement. The physical components of the “Approach and Carry” (Pool and Waterpark) and “Victim Carry” (Waterfront and Surf) have been absorbed in the Management of a Distressed or Drowning Victim item.
In addition:
- New items have been introduced: Endurance Challenge (Waterfront and Surf), Sprint Challenge (Waterpark and Waterfront), Object Recovery and Management of an Injured Victim (Waterpark).
- Knowledge of the benefits of bag-valve masks and suction is required in Lifeguarding Theory and Practice (Pool and Waterfront).
- The ability to identify appropriate lifeguard supervision zones is now a Must See requirement in positioning and rotation items.
- Appendix A first aid requirements feature some additions and minor updates to ensure continued consistency with Canadian standards and current ILCOR guidelines.
