Société de sauvetage - Division du Québec

What Société de sauvetage - Division du Québec does

Société de sauvetage du Québec is a non-profit organization founded in 1909 and headquartered in Montréal, dedicated to drowning prevention and aquatic safety across the province of Quebec. It operates as the provincial authority for water safety, delivering standardized, government-recognized certification programs across four core pillars: lifesaving (Bronze levels through National Lifeguard), first aid and CPR, swimming instruction, and nautical/boating safety. The organization runs the VITA unified database platform, launched on June 2, 2026, which centralizes training-program management, certification tracking, and member profiles across a province-wide network of affiliated clubs and training centers. Beyond core certifications, it operates the Équipe Québec elite athlete-development pathway for lifesaving sport, the Brigade Splash public-awareness program, aquatic safety consulting and audits for facility operators, and the Alerte Magazine publication.

Revenue is generated primarily through training course fees, with one disclosed benchmark at $59.95 CAD for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Pricing for the broader course catalogue is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market motion is community-led: the Société distributes programs through affiliated clubs (e.g., CSRN, Narval, Dam'eauclès, Sea Devils, Rouville Surf Club), municipal aquatic facilities (including the City of Laval and City of Sherbrooke), direct online registration via the VITA platform, and field consulting engagements with enterprise aquatic operators. Customer segments span individual lifeguards and instructors, aquatic facility managers, lifesaving sport athletes, and educational institutions. Marketing channels include the official website, email newsletter, social media, monthly virtual meetups and webinars, the annual Forum (held in September), and Alerte Magazine.

The organization also maintains a co-regulatory partnership with the Quebec Government, having collaborated on Chapter IX (Lieux de baignade) of the Safety Code and Chapter X of the Construction Code, and partners with aceboater.com for PCOC delivery, Alliance Sport-Études for athlete academic support, and CanadaHelps for donations. There are no funding rounds disclosed; financial structure appears to rely on course-fee revenue, donations, and likely government or grant support consistent with a 1909-established non-profit.

Name

Société de sauvetage - Division du Québec

Legal name

Société de sauvetage du Québec

Website

https://sauvetage.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Montréal, Société de sauvetage du Québec is the provincial water-safety authority for Quebec. It delivers government-recognized lifeguard, first aid, swimming, and nautical certifications through affiliated clubs, the VITA platform, and Brigade Splash outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Safety Training and Certification Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF), Water Safety, Lifeguarding & Training Services (Staffing, Certification) (THAAABAL)

Keywords

• Lifeguard certification training
• Water safety education
• First aid training
• Swimming instruction programs
• Drowning prevention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Course Fees: Revenue generated from fees charged for various training programs including lifeguarding certifications, first aid courses, swimming instructor training, and lifesaving sport coaching certifications. Courses are offered at various levels (8-hour, 16-hour, specialized programs).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Société de sauvetage du Québec is a nonprofit organization that delivers standardized water safety training, lifeguard and first aid certifications, swimming and nautical education programs, and aquatic facility consulting services across Quebec. It operates a province-wide network of affiliated clubs and training centers and manages the unified VITA database platform for course registration, certification tracking, and member administration. Its mission is to reduce drowning and water-related incidents through education, sport development, and public awareness initiatives.

Product overview

Société de sauvetage du Québec is a nonprofit organization focused on water safety and drowning prevention in Quebec. Its product portfolio centers on a unified training and certification ecosystem, with VITA serving as the core database platform that manages all programs. The offering includes lifesaving training (Bronze levels, National Lifeguard), first aid courses (Emergency and Standard First Aid), swimming instruction programs, and nautical/boating certifications. The organization also operates Équipe Québec, an elite athlete development program for lifesaving sport competitions, and Brigade Splash, a public awareness drowning prevention initiative. Professional development courses target aquatic managers with certifications like SEE Auditor and Aquatic Safety Inspector. The portfolio is delivered through affiliated clubs and training centers, with VITA providing centralized course management, certification tracking, and member profile administration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VITA: New unified database platform launched June 2, 2026, for managing lifesaving, first aid, boating, and other training programs.
• Brigade Splash
• Alerte Magazine
• Programme de développement du sauvetage sportif au Québec (PDSSQ)

Products and services

• VITA - Base de données unifiée (Unified Database Platform) A unified database platform that modernizes, simplifies, and optimizes the management of lifesaving, First Aid, boating, and other training programs. Provides enhanced experience for members, instructors, trainers, and affiliated members through more powerful tools, easier access to information, and centralized service management.
• Lifesaving Training Programs Training programs including Bronze levels (Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross), National Lifeguard certification, and specialized lifeguard training for various aquatic environments. Targeted at individuals seeking lifeguard certification and recertification.
• First Aid Training First aid training offerings including Emergency First Aid (8 hours), Standard First Aid (16 hours), CPR/AED training, Anaphylaxis Rescuers, and specialized courses for aquatic environments. For individuals and workplace safety requirements.
• Swimming Programs Learn-to-swim programs and swimming instructor training to promote aquatic safety and swimming proficiency. Includes recognition of prior learning (Nager pour la vie) and affiliated centers program.
• Nautical Programs Boating and nautical safety training including Emergency Water Responder, Nautical Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Ice Rescue, Safety and Professional SWR, and Nautical Operator Certification. For individuals working in or near water environments.
• Équipe Québec (Team Quebec) Quebec's elite lifesaving sport team development program that identifies and supports athletes for national and international competitions, offering training camps, financial support, and athlete identification pathways.
• Brigade Splash Drowning prevention awareness program that visits schools and communities to educate about water safety, operating across Quebec with public awareness activities targeting children and youth.
• Aquatic Consulting Services Professional consulting services including safety audits for aquatic facilities, pool design and modernization, waterfront development, bathing area accreditation, and the Aquatic Lab innovation center. Targeted at municipalities and aquatic facility operators.
• Professional Development Courses Advanced professional training for aquatic managers including Water Quality, Pool Operator, Spa Operator, SEE Auditor, Aquatic Safety Inspector, Aquatic Management, and Head Lifeguard/Instructor workshops.
• Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Boating certification course and exam offered in partnership with aceboater.com. The card never expires and meets Transport Canada's requirements for operating power-driven boats on Canadian waters. Total cost of $59.95 CAD includes course, official exam, and physical card delivery.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VITA (Internal Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationVITA is the organization's own unified database platform developed to manage training programs, certifications, and member profiles. This is an internal technological infrastructure rather than an external partnership.
• Aceboater.com (cartebateau.com)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketing partner for Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) courses. Users are redirected to aceboater.com for PCOC training and exam, with promotional code SAUVETAGE5$ offered.
• École de navigation de plaisanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavigation school partner offering boating education alongside lifesaving programs.
• Quebec Government (RQ) and Province of QuebeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for regulatory standards development. Collaborated on Chapter IX (Lieux de baignade) of the Safety Code and Chapter X of the Construction Code. The organization works with government on swimming area regulations and safety standards.
• Affiliated Clubs NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of affiliated clubs including Narval, CSRN (Club de Sauvetage Rive-Nord), Dam'eauclès, Sea Devils, Rouville Surf Club, CAEM, and others that deliver certified training programs.
• Municipalities and CitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMunicipal partners including City of Laval, City of Sherbrooke, and other municipalities that operate aquatic facilities and offer training programs through the organization's network.
• AquamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in lifesaving sport development, sponsoring events and competitions.
• CanadaHelpsminorOthersOnline donation platform partner allowing public donations to support the organization's mission.
• Alliance Sport-ÉtudesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership offering academic support services to athletes in the lifesaving sport program, including personalized academic guidance and schedule accommodations.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• YMCA Canada: Operates aquatic facilities, swim lessons, and lifeguard training across Canada. Overlaps with the Society on swimming instruction and lifeguard certification, though as part of a broader fitness and community services portfolio.
• Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Sets the national standards for CPR and AED training that the Society delivers. Provides overlapping resuscitation certification programs and is a key reference body for the Society's aquatic first aid curricula.
• International Life Saving Federation (ILS): Global umbrella body for lifesaving organizations, of which the Lifesaving Society Canada (and its Quebec division) is a member. Provides international standards, lifesaving sport governance, and cross-border credentialing recognition.
• St. John Ambulance Canada: Long-standing national provider of first aid and CPR training that competes directly with the Society's Standard First Aid and CPR/AED courses. Operates as a broader humanitarian organization rather than a specialized aquatic safety body.
• Canadian Red Cross – Swimming & Water Safety: Major national provider of overlapping first aid, CPR/AED, and learn-to-swim programs. Competes for the same trainee and instructor pool, with a broader humanitarian mandate that includes but is not specialized in lifeguarding.
• Swim Canada (Swimming Canada): National governing body for competitive swimming in Canada. Comparable in promoting aquatic skill development and competitive pathways, though primarily focused on swim sport rather than lifeguarding and drowning prevention.

Direct peers

• Lifesaving Society Ontario: Provincial division of the Lifesaving Society in Canada's largest English-speaking province. Directly comparable in mandate, Bronze/National Lifeguard certifications, and aquatic safety training delivery, though serving a different provincial geography.
• Lifesaving Society Canada: The national federation of which Société de sauvetage du Québec is the provincial division. Directly comparable in mission (drowning prevention, lifeguard training), certification standards, and program portfolio, though operating at national scope rather than provincial.

Regional players

• Lifesaving Society British Columbia & Yukon: Another provincial division of the Lifesaving Society, delivering comparable Bronze, National Lifeguard, and aquatic safety programs in Western Canada. A regional peer serving a different provincial territory.
• Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA): Commonwealth counterpart of the Lifesaving Society model, focused on water safety education, lifeguard certification, and drowning prevention research. Comparable in mission and program structure though serving the Australian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soci-t-de-sauvetage---division-du-qu-bec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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