National Safety Standards

The Lifesaving Society is recognized as a leader in developing standards for activities in, on and around water. Through its Safety Standards Commission, the Society sets national aquatic environment standards and clarifies existing provincial/territorial regulations.

Lifesaving Society Canada’s National Safety Standards are developed using Coroners’ recommendations, the latest evidence-based research, and reflect the aquatic industry’s best practices at the time the publication was approved or revised.  The purpose of these standards is to encourage swimming pool, waterpark and waterfront owners, managers, operators and regulators to adopt these standards in order to prevent drownings in aquatic environments.

Lifesaving Society Canada’s National Safety Standards do not replace or supersede local, provincial/territorial or federal legislation or regulations, but they are considered the standard to which aquatic facility operators should work towards in order to enhance safety within their operations and to prevent drowning and aquatic-related injury.

Branches help aquatic facility operators maintain and improve safe pool and waterfront operations. In response to requests, Branch representatives perform safety audits and provide expert testimony in legal cases involving aquatic safety. Some Branches host aquatic safety symposiums for facility operators.

These Safety Standards are updated periodically. The Lifesaving Society's Safety Standards can also be found on the National website here.