Training Programs

Rookie Patrol

The Lifesaving Society Canadian Swim Patrol (CSP) is a three-level pre-Bronze program for 8-12 year olds who are ready to move beyond the learn-to-swim program. Candidates earn recognition for success in swimming, first aid and water rescue along with badges for overall award achievement.

Prerequisites: Ability to swim.

Evaluation: All items in Rookie Patrol are evaluated by a Lifesaving Instructor or YMCA Swim Instructor.

Test items:

H2O Proficiency

1. Swim 25 m head-up front crawl or breaststroke.
2. Demonstrate the ready position with a stationary scull for 30 seconds.
3. Carry a 2.3 kg (5 lb.) object 15 m using swimmer’s choice of lifesaving kick.
4. Demonstrate a foot-first and a head-first surface dive to a maximum depth of 2 m.
5. Demonstrate 25 m legs-only using swimmer’s choice of lifesaving kick.
6. Demonstrate the ability to inflate two items of clothing and use as a buoyant assist.
7. Swim 25 m or using any stroke. Demonstrate the ability to swim under an obstacle located at the halfway point.
8. Swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke (50 m each).
9. Complete a 350 m workout on three different occasions throughout the training course. Warm-up: 100 m; work set: 6 x 25 m any stroke on 60 seconds; and cool down: 100 m.
10. Swim 100 m in 3 minutes or better using any stroke or combination of strokes of the swimmer’s choice.

First Aid

1. Demonstrate a primary assessment of a conscious and cooperative victim who describes his or her chief complaint and how injury occurred.
2. Demonstrate the ability to recognize when to call the Emergency Medical System (EMS) and how to do it.
3. Demonstrate the primary assessment and appropriate care for a victim with external bleeding.

Recognition and Rescue

1. Look at the aquatic facility for 10–15 seconds. Turn and describe what you saw.
2. Demonstrate:
   1. The ability to simulate in the water the appearance of a weak swimmer and non-swimmer.
   2. ability to recognize the difference between a weak swimmer and non-swimmer.
3. From a standing position on land, throw a buoyant aid with line to hit a target on the surface of the water as many times as possible within 30 seconds.