Is Swim to Survive a replacement for swimming lessons?
- Canada
- Ontario
- Lifesaving Society
- Swim for Life
- Learn to swim
- Ages 0+
- 2026-27
- Parents
No. The Society says Swim to Survive is not meant to replace traditional swimming lessons, but it is a great way to encourage people to pursue further training. It can run as a stand-alone program or as part of the Swim for Life continuum, and suits groups from schools and camps with limited time and mixed abilities.
- Prerequisite: none.
- Who teaches: any current swimming instructor, from any agency. Current swimming instructors or National Lifeguards evaluate candidates.
- Recognition: a certificate. There is no recertification.
- Time: 3 hours in the water as a stand-alone program (6 hours, 3 in a classroom and 3 in the water, through the school grant program).
- Swim to Survive+ builds on it with real-life situations for children in Grade 7.
Sources: Lifesaving Society Ontario Program Guide, July 2026 edition (Section 5); https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/swim-to-survive.aspx
Added 25 Oct 2026