July 19 - Updates from the Society

National Drowning Prevention Week is a flagship community activation for Canada. NDPW aims to promote awareness of the Society's public advocacy role; to reinforce the identity of the Lifesaving Society as experts in the field of drowning prevention; and to promote the Society's objectives. Many drowning and injury prevention partners such as the public, media, Lifesaving Society affiliate members and leadership volunteers, injury prevention partners and governments have a role in preventing these tragic and preventable deaths and injuries.

Many community activations are occurring across Alberta and the Northwest Territories in support of National Drowning Prevention Week. The Lifesaving Society encourages all of our affiliates and facilities to share pictures of their events on social media and with the Society through email at [email protected] . We encourage everyone to utilize the Lifesaving Society's National Drowning Prevention Week Social Media Plan that contains key messages for social media.

NEW Water Smart Resources

The Society has several new rack cards, posters and banners available to order to support National Drowning Prevention Week and community activation events. All of the resources are outlined here in the Water Smart Materials Order Form .

Member Services

Lifesaving Society Office Closure

The office will be closed on Monday, August 7 for the Heritage Day holiday.

Millican Ogden Outdoor Pool - New Swim Site!

Millican Ogden Outdoor Pool (Affiliate is Benchmark Projects Ltd) transitioned to Swim for Life and began running the Lifesaving Society Swim Program on July 3. Our Recreation and Sport Coordinator, Alix Pape, provided an in-service to their staff on July 13. Welcome!

Marda Loop Communities Association - New Swim Site!

Marda Loop Communities Association transitioned to Swim for Life and began running the Lifesaving Society Swim Program on July 3. Our Recreation and Sport Coordinator, Alix Pape, provided an in-service to their outdoor pool staff on July 15. Welcome!

Training Institute - Fall 2017

The Lifesaving Society will provide a Training Institute (AMT, SEE Auditor, ASI). The training will be held at the Remington YMCA in Quarry Park from November 15-16. Registration will be open shortly.

Trainer Mandatory Update

The Lifesaving Society will offer a Trainer Mandatory Update. The update will be held at the Best Western Plus Port O'Call Hotel in Calgary during the evening of November 17. Further details to be announced.

Fall Forum - Save the Date!

The Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories invites you to join us for an exciting day of presentations during the 2017 Fall Forum which will be held on Friday, November 17 at the Best Western Plus Port O'Call Hotel Hotel in Calgary. Further details to be announced.

Safety Management

Contract Lifeguarding

The Lifesaving Society has updated our Position Statement on Contract Lifeguarding as outlined below.

Throughout the year the Lifesaving Society receives calls from lifeguards and groups such as schools with questions about lifeguarding events at local lakes, backyard pools or similar facilities. The most common questions deal with the certification requirements for the lifeguards.

A common assumption is that if they hire a certified lifeguard for the event, they have done enough to ensure the safety of the participants. Unfortunately, that is not enough. They also must provide a lifeguard system. This system includes the development of a specific facility safety and supervision plan, operating and emergency procedures, emergency equipment and training of the lifeguard in the facility's procedures. Lifeguards who work at public aquatic facilities usually receive this training as part of their orientation. When a school or other group hires a lifeguard for an event (i.e. camp) or outing, the group and the lifeguard should work together to establish the lifeguard system. Examples of the decisions required include:

deciding where the participants will swim, how many in the water, marking the boundaries of the swimming area
identification and provision of emergency equipment
emergency procedures for the location including the emergency communication system
role and orientation of other supervisors such as teachers, group leaders, parents
lifeguard insurance - solutions include adding a clause in the contract that treats the lifeguard as an employee of the group covered by their liability insurance or National Lifeguards may also purchase individual Professional Liability and General Liability Insurance through the Lifesaving Society.

If the group is not willing to work with a lifeguard to establish the lifeguard system, the Lifesaving Society recommends that the lifeguard refuse to lifeguard the event. For more information about creating the lifeguard system consult the Alert Manual , the Lifesaving Society Public Aquatic Facility Safety Standards and Waterfront Safety Standards .

The National Lifeguard certification is the standard for lifeguarding in Canada.

Lifesaving Sport

Lifesaving Sport Annual Start Up is August 1

With a new sport season rapidly approaching, it is time for Affiliates to complete their annual Lifesaving Sport Club Start-Up.

The following steps are completed annually for each Affiliate club:

Lifesaving Society - on August 1, sends an email to the designated Club Management personnel to begin their annual start-up process.
Designated Club Management - confirms email address as the designated Club Management personnel.
Designated Club Management - enters or updates contact email addresses for the Club Registrar.

Once these three steps have been completed, the Club is automatically activated for the season.

When a club has completed their start-up, the Club Management and Club Registrar may begin registering coaches, registering athletes, or creating competitions. Coaches and athletes must be registered every year, and when applicable, contact information must be updated and accurate for the individual. All clubs competing must ensure that the appropriate athletes are registered and selected to compete. Adding and activating coaches or athletes can be completed throughout the sport season, but the process must be completed prior to the respective competition they will be attending.

Clubs who do not receive the Annual Club Start-Up email on August 1 should contact the Lifesaving Society at: [email protected] .

If you have any questions or require supports about the Annual Club Start-Up, please call 780-415-1755 or email: [email protected] .

Canada's Drowning Prevention Charity

The Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories Branch

Charitable Registration No. 11912 9021 RR0001

1-780-415-1755 | [email protected] | http://www.lifesaving.org

13123 - 156 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5V 1V2