by Izzy Aylsworth

Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross Courses

Sign-up for UB1’s Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses is currently open to both UB1 members and non-members!

What’s New: First Aid Updates in Ontario

As of June, first aid courses in Ontario have been updated and renamed to meet new provincial standards. There are now two levels:

  • Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) – shorter course
  • Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) – longer course that includes Basic First Aid content plus additional training

If your child previously completed Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid, these certifications are still valid and are considered equivalent to the updated course names for our requirements.

Please note: UB1’s Bronze medallion course this year does NOT include a first aid certification. You may see other facilities in the region advertising “Bronze Medallion & Basic First Aid” as a combined course, ours is the Bronze Medallion award only. Participants completing Bronze Medallion at UB1 will still need a separate first aid course before Bronze Cross (see below for more information).

About the Courses

Bronze Medallion is the first mandatory step in the lifeguarding pathway. Participants develop water rescue skills based on judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness.

  • Requirement: Minimum age 13 by the last day of the course, OR completion of Bronze Star (not offered at UB1)

Bronze Cross is the next step and builds advanced rescue skills while introducing safe supervision of aquatic environments.

  • Requirement: Bronze Medallion AND a first aid certification (Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid)

First Aid Requirement (Important)

For Bronze Cross, participants must complete either Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid before starting the course.

  • Basic First Aid meets the Bronze Cross requirement
  • Intermediate First Aid meets the Bronze Cross requirement and is required for National Lifeguard

Pathway to becoming a Lifeguard

  • OPTIONAL: Bronze Star (not offered at UB1)
  • MANDATORY: Bronze Medallion (age 13+ or Bronze Star)
  • MANDATORY: First Aid (Basic or Intermediate required for Bronze Cross)
  • MANDATORY: Bronze Cross (requires Bronze Medallion + first aid)
  • MANDATORY: National Lifeguard (minimum age 15 + Bronze Cross + Intermediate First Aid)
  • OPTIONAL: Swim Instructor (recommended; most employers require instructor certification when hiring)

Course Details

Both Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross will run from Monday, August 24th – Friday, August 28th, 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM. Participants must attend all days in full to meet course requirements. Final-day end times may vary depending on examination length.

Course fees are not yet confirmed and will be shared once finalized.

How to Register

Email Izzy at ub1guards@gmail.com with:

  • Participant’s full legal name
  • Participant’s date of birth
  • Course requested (Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross)
  • For Bronze Cross: photo proof of Bronze Medallion and First Aid certification

Registration Information

Each course is capped at 12 participants, and spots are filled in the order emails are received. Sending an email does not guarantee a spot. You will receive an email confirming whether your swimmer has been registered or placed on the waitlist.

Once a course is full, a waitlist will be created in order of registration requests to fill any spots that become available due to cancellations or changes.