Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is one of the prerequisites for advanced training in the National Lifeguard certification program. Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion and Lifesaving Society Emergency First Aid/CPR B or Intermediate First Aid as of June 22, 2026. Books: Canadian Lifesaving Manual and Bronze Cross workbook.
2026 LEADERSHIP NOTIFICATION – LSS VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY POLICY
UPDATED April 2026
The Lifesaving Society of Ontario has implemented a Verification of Identity Policy for all vocational courses, including both original certifications and recertification's. As an Affiliate of Lifesaving Society Ontario, the City of Waterloo will require all candidates registering in leadership and vocational courses (Bronze Star and above and including recertification's) to verify their identity through the registration process and present valid, government-issued identification to the course instructor, examiner or trainer on the first day.
The candidate’s legal name must appear on all certifications issued by the Lifesaving Society Ontario. Candidates may request that a preferred name be displayed on their certification, however, this does not replace the requirement for their legal name to appear on official records.
The provided identification must:
• Be up to date and valid
• Include legal name, date of birth and a photo (where applicable)
• Be an original document issued be a federal, provincial, territorial or state government authority, or the equivalent abroad
Acceptable identification includes the following:
• Driver’s License
• Health Card (with photo)
• Passport
• Permanent Resident (PR) card
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Ontario Photo Card
Participants unable to show valid identification on the first day of the course will not be permitted to take part in the program.
Questions? Email Gus Siountres, Manager of Aquatics at gus.siountres@waterloo.ca.