Canadian Swim Patrol Overview
The Canadian Swim Patrol program bridges the gap between learn-to-swim and lifeguarding. Designed for participants aged 6 and older, this program develops swim strokes, endurance, first aid, and rescue skills. It lays a strong foundation for the Bronze medal awards and future lifeguarding certifications.
Rookie Patrol
Age Group: 6+ years
Duration: 8–10 hours
Focus:
- Improving swimming proficiency and fitness.
- Introducing basic first aid and rescue skills.
Test Requirements:
Swim Skills:
- Swim 400m in under 12 minutes.
- Front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke (50m each).
- Head-up front crawl or breaststroke (25m).
- Scull in a ready position (30 seconds).
- Lifesaving kick (25m).
- Surface dives (foot-first and head-first).
- Obstacle swim (25m).
Fitness Training:
- 350m workout (completed 3 times).
- Swim 100m in under 3 minutes.
First Aid & Rescue:
- Care for external bleeding.
- Assess a conscious victim and contact EMS.
- Simulate and recognize weak and non-swimmers.
- Perform a “Look & See” study of aquatic facilities and describe findings.
Ranger Patrol
Age Group: 6+ years
Duration: 8–10 hours
Focus:
- Advanced stroke development and lifesaving skills.
- Refining emergency responses and victim care.
Test Requirements:
Swim Skills:
- Swim 200m in under 6 minutes.
- Front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke (75m each).
- Basic butterfly stroke (25m).
- Side stroke (25m).
- Perform forward and backward somersaults in water.
- Stride entry and swim head-up (25m) into a ready position.
- Eggbeater kick on the back (25m).
- Support a 2.3kg object for 1 minute.
- Head-up swim into surface dive, recover an object, and carry it to the start.
- Lifesaving medley (100m, performed 3 times).
First Aid & Rescue:
- Care for victims in shock.
- Assess unconscious, breathing victims.
- Address obstructed airways (conscious victims).
- Perform victim recognition and simulation.
- Rescue with a buoyant aid (20m).
Star Patrol
Age Group: 6+ years
Duration: 8–10 hours
Focus:
- Mastering strokes and lifesaving techniques.
- Preparing for Bronze-level certifications.
Test Requirements:
Swim Skills:
- Swim 300m in under 9 minutes.
- Front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke (100m each).
- Perfect butterfly stroke (25m).
- Side stroke (25m).
- Entries with aids (minimum of 2 types).
- Entry with aid, head-up swim (25m), and sculling in multiple directions.
- Defence methods (front, side, rear).
- Eggbeater kick (travel, change direction, and adjust height).
- Carry a 4.5kg object (25m).
- Head-up approach into head-first surface dive. Swim underwater 5–10m and surface.
- Foot-first surface dive to recover an object and return to start.
- Turn and support a victim face-up in shallow water.
Fitness Training:
- 600m workout (completed 3 times).
First Aid & Rescue:
- Care for bone or joint injuries.
- Address respiratory emergencies, including asthma or allergic reactions.
- Locate and describe submerged objects.
- Rescue weak or non-swimmers using a towing aid (20m).