Swim Transition

The Canadian Red Cross is winding down its swim and lifeguarding programming to focus on surging humanitarian demands in other areas - such as disaster and pandemic response, opioid harm reduction and caregiving for seniors. Read the press release.

During 2022, Red Cross is encouraging and supporting its water safety training partners in making the transition to the swimming, lifeguarding and aquatic leadership programs of the Lifesaving Society Canada.

Swim Transition: Canadian Red Cross to Lifesaving Society Canada

Both lifesaving societies are working to make this transition opportunity as smooth as possible for:

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Swim transition pathways for Red Cross-certified individuals

The Lifesaving Society and Canadian Red Cross have created special pathways by which Red Cross certification holders transition to corresponding Lifesaving Society certifications. These pathways recognize and acknowledge the competencies earned in Red Cross certifications while providing the knowledge and resources critical for success as a Lifesaving Society instructor, lifeguard or trainer.

The opportunity to attain Lifesaving Society certifications via these transition pathways ends December 31, 2022. Thereafter, individuals would be required to follow all normal Lifesaving Society certification requirements and pay all applicable fees.

The official Swim Transition Instructor Clinic approved by the Lifesaving Society Canada and endorsed by the Canadian Red Cross is online now at e-lifesaving.ca.

Expiry date extension

To facilitate the transition, Red Cross has extended all Swimming & Water Safety and Lifeguard certifications to December 31, 2022 (if they would naturally expire before then).

Transfer of Red Cross certification data

Red Cross transfer with permission

With your permission, Red Cross will transfer your certification information to the Lifesaving Society. If you do not grant permission for this transfer, you will need to contact your Lifesaving Society provincial/territorial Branch for direction on how to provide proof of certification; or, you can choose to transfer your certification directly to the Lifesaving Society.

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Transfer directly to the Lifesaving Society

CRC members can transfer their CRC certification to the Lifesaving Society electronically via e-lifesaving.ca/transition.

This is beneficial for:

  • CRC members whose awards were not included in the migration direct from CRC, or
  • Anyone who decided not to use the CRC migration tool to transfer their records.

The following information is required to transfer certification(s):

  • Individual details and contact information
  • Certification details
  • Provincial branch of the Lifesaving Society to which certifications will be transferred
  • A photo or scan of the certification ready to upload

Once the provincial branch receives and verifies the information, it will add or update the individual's Lifesaving Society record.

For those CRC members who are also Lifesaving Society members, there is an optional section to add a Lifesaving Society Member ID and/or Web Access Code - these details help to verify the submission more quickly and accurately.

Contact

Individuals and Training Partners - contact the Lifesaving Society by phone 902.967.4888 or by email: info@lifesavingsocietypei.ca

Lifesaving Society English Media - contact Barbara Byers by mobile phone 416.727.5636 or by email: barbarab@lifeguarding.com.

Canadian Red Cross English Media: 1.877.599.9602

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Lifesaving Society French Media - contact Raynald Hawkins by mobile phone 514.435.5342 or by email: rhawkins@sauvetage.qc.ca

Canadian Red Cross French Media: 1.888.418.9111