Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, or NSLS, has been guarding Nova Scotia's beaches since 1972. The Service employs 60–70 lifeguards every summer. The season runs from late June until the end of August. The NSLS was also key in the development of the Nova Scotia Surf League, Canada's first surf lifesaving competition series.

The service was started as it became apparent that there were a high number of people drowning in the waters off of Nova Scotia. The Service was organized by Region, so that each Region is required to recruit and hire lifeguards for the beaches that will offer this service.

There are a large number of guarded beaches in Nova Scotia. In 2005, the NSLS supervised 18 beaches around the province, and was responsible for training and administrating several others. A complete list of supervised beaches can be found on the Lifeguard Service Page. In the area surrounding Halifax, there are only about three to five supervised beaches. Usually supervised beaches are chosen based on how busy the beach is, but the severity of the waves and currents can also be factors. Popular supervised beaches around Halifax include Queensland,Rainbow Haven, Lawrencetown, and Dollar Lake.

Lifeguards chosen in Nova Scotia must complete a rigorous interview process. All lifeguards must be certified through the National Lifeguard Service Award and have Standard First Aid course as well as Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) level C. The applicant must then complete a timed 500-meter swim, a timed 3.2 km run, and a timed 50-meter swim with a manikin. There has also been a written test taken by applicants. Once a lifeguard is hired he/she must complete a four day training camp. This rigorous program has proven successful with no one drowning within the supervised area of any NSLS beach during hours of supervision since the program's inception in 1973.

External link

• [1]
• [2]