Aquatic Recognized Certifications
(Revised April 2013)
Below are certifications that meet specified ACA standards, based on recommendations from the certifying bodies. This list will be updated several times each year. To determine if courses or certifications not listed meet standards requirements, e-mail the standards department at the ACA national office.
It is important to remember, that in addition to having the appropriate, current certification, lifeguards must also verify their skills in rescue and emergency procedures specific to the camp's aquatic area(s) and activities guarded.
At this time, the American Camp Association requires that any aquatic, first aid, and CPR certification must include, at minimum, 50% of course time to include in-person instruction, hands-on practice, and skills assessment under the direct supervision of a certified instructor from one of the organizations listed below. It is acceptable to have a portion of the course be completed online (course readings, etc.).
The first number is the standard from the Accreditation Process Guide, 2007 Edition. The second number is the standard from the Accreditation Process Guide, 2012 Edition.
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*PA-14/PA.3 Swim Lifeguard Qualifications MANDATORY (also *PA-30/PA.30, *PT-2/PT.14) |
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| American Red Cross | Lifeguarding |
| Ellis and Associates | Special Facilities Lifeguard, Pool Lifeguard |
| YMCA | Lifeguard |
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BSA National Lifesaving and Aquatics |
Lifeguard Lifeguard Training (LGT) |
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RLSS-Royal Life Saving Society(UK, Australia) Lifesaving Society (Canada) RLSS - Royal Life Saving, New Zealand |
National Lifeguard Service Award, National Beach Lifeguard, National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (must have additional training for lake guarding), National Open Water Lifeguard Bronze Medallion with verification of current CPR |
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Skills Active/New Zealand Recreation Association |
Pool Lifeguard Skills Award if working under a Competent Supervisor and Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate or higher |
| Surf Lifesaving | Certificate II In Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) - Bronze Medallion |
| URSUS Aquatics | Lifeguard |
| UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification | Lifeguard |
| Surf Life Saving Australia | Surf Rescue |
| Starfish Aquatics Institute | Starguard Lifeguard |
| H20 Pro | Lifeguard |
| US Coast Guard | Rescue Swimmer |
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*PA-18/PA.18 SCUBA Diving MANDATORY |
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| NAUI | Instructor |
| PADI | Instructor |
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PA-19/PA.19 Swimming Lessons |
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| American Red Cross | WSI |
| Canadian Red Cross | |
| YMCA | YMCA Youth and Adult Instructor I or II |
| BSA | Aquatic Instructor |
| Starfish Aquatics Institute | Starfish Swimming Instructor |
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Ellis & Associates Swim Lessons University (Pool use only) |
Learn to Swim Program Instructor Certified Swim Instructor |
| AUSTSWIM, Inc. | AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety |
| Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) of Great Britain | Level 1 or Level 2 Aquatic Instructor |
| Swimming South Africa | Preliminary Swimming Teachers Certificate, National Swimming Teachers Certificate |
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Professional Swimming Teachers and Coaches Association (PSTCA) (South Africa) Active Training, World Aquatics |
Level 1 or 2 Instructor Certificate
Swimming Instructor
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*PA-20/PA.20 Watercraft Guard Certification-MANDATORY |
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| American Canoe Association | Instructor Certification in: Introduction to Kayak or Canoe Instruction (Level 1), Essentials of River Kayaking, Kayak Touring, Riving Canoeing or Touring Canoeing (Level 2); River Kayak, River Canoe or Coastal Kayak (Level 3); OR Whitewater Kayak, Whitewater Canoe OR Open Water Coastal Kayak. |
| US Sailing | Small Boat Sailor Instructor, Sailing Counselor Course |
| American Red Cross, Small Craft Safety. Contact Laurie Roberts at 314-516-2726 with ARC - St. Louis | Small Craft Safety w/designated craft, Basic Sailing Instructor, Canoe Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water), Kayak Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water) |
| American Sailing Association | Basic Small Boat Instructor |
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British Canoe Union Sierra Rescue (Provides courses in the Western USA) Royal Yacht Association |
Level 2 Coach Training (Flat Water Canoe and Kayak) Swift Water Rescue for appropriate craft. Dingy Instructor |
| Lifeguard certifications listed above (with specific craft rescue skills and experience) | |
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PA-27/PA.27 Watercraft Instruction (also *PT-2/PT.14) |
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| American Canoe Association | Instructor Certification : Introduction to Kayak or Canoe Instruction (Level 1), Essentials of River Kayaking, Kayak Touring, Riving Canoeing or Touring Canoeing (Level 2); River Kayak, River Canoe or Coastal Kayak (Level 3); OR Whitewater Kayak, Whitewater Canoe OR Open Water Coastal Kayak. |
| US Sailing | Small Boat Sailor Instructor, Sailing Counselor Course |
| American Red Cross | Basic Sailing Instructor, Canoe Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water), Kayak Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water) |
| USA Water Ski Association | Instructor |
| American Sailing Association | Basic Small Boat Instructor |
| British Canoe Union | Level 2 Coach (Flat Water Canoe and Kayak) |
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PA-1/PA.1 Aquatics Supervisor Qualifications |
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| ARC | Lifeguard Management |
| YMCA | YMCA Aquatic Facility Manager, Pool Operator on Location, Waterfront Director |
| BSA | National Camp School Graduate, Aquatics Instructor |
| Lifeguard, swim instructor, or boating instructor certifications listed above | |
| US Coast Guard | Rescue Swimmer |
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*PA-17/PA.5 First Aid/CPR MANDATORY |
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| American Red Cross | A. Standard First Aid, Community First Aid, Responding to Emergencies, Emergency Response |
| B. CPR, Community CPR, CPR for Professional Rescuer | |
| American Heart Association | CPR, Heart Saver Plus - Adult, Heart Saver AED - Adult/AED, Health Care Provider |
| SEE ALSO | CPR acceptable on First Aid Equivalents Page |
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