Managing Certifications
It is the responsibility of the camp to confirm the provider meets the needs of and is appropriate for their program, meets the requirements of their insurance provider, and aligns with what is required by their state regulations. Additionally, the camp is responsible for verifying and documenting the skills attained as part of the certification, as required for their job responsibilities and specific to their camp program.
Being on the list means only a broad-level review of the course has been conducted (by ACA staff and/or volunteers). ACA does not accredit the organizations nor does ACA endorse them. Considerations for review:
- Does the course curriculum include the topics/methods identified by authoritative sources (when available) to include being the recommended length?
- Is the curriculum and are the instructors updated in an established timeframe (every 3-5 years)?
- Does the course include in-person skills review and skills verification?
Below are certifications that meet specified ACA standards, based on a review of the curricula 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. NOTE: ACA will only accept certification review requests directly from camp operators that are ACA accredited or have submitted an application for accreditation. ACA does not endorse any specific course.
It is important to remember, that in addition to having the appropriate and current certification, lifeguards and aquatics staff must also verify their skills in rescue and emergency procedures specific to the camp's aquatic area(s) and activities.
If additional training and skills verification is noted, this training may be done by qualified waterfront personnel (camp staff included).
At this time, the American Camp Association requires that any aquatic, first aid, and CPR/AED 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.).
Below find certifications which are recognized for the following standards:
- Swim Lifeguard: ST.12, *AD.46, *ST.17
- Scuba: *ST.13
- Swim Lessons: ST.14
- Watercraft Guard: *ST.15, *PA.11, *ST.17
- Watercraft Instruction: PA.15, *ST.17
- Aquatic Supervisor: ST.11
- First Aid/CPR: *ST.7, *AD.46, *AD.47
Revised April 2022
| Swim Lifeguard Qualifications MANDATORY | |
|---|---|
Organization |
Certification |
|
American Aquatics and Safety Training (formerly American Lifeguard and Safety Training) |
Lifeguard, Waterfront Lifeguarding, Shallow Pool Lifeguard |
| American Red Cross | Lifeguarding |
| Boy Scouts of America | Lifeguard |
| Canadian Red Cross | Pool Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding |
| Ellis and Associates | Special Facilities Lifeguard, Pool Lifeguard |
|
Equipo Profesional de Salvamento Acuatico (EPSA Aquatic Rescue School) |
Guardavidas de Aguas Abietas |
| German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) | Gold Badge with caveat: Additional training and skills verification in spinal injury management is required. |
| Highfield ABC (UK) | Level 2 Award in Pool Lifeguarding with caveat: Additional training and skills verification in use of rescue tube and spinal injury management is required. |
| H20 Pro | Lifeguard |
| Irish Water Safety | National Pool Lifeguard Award |
| Lifesaving Society (Canada) | National Lifeguard Pool, National Lifeguard Waterpark, National Lifeguard Waterfront, National Lifeguard Surf |
| Lifesaving Victoria |
Pool Lifeguard |
| Lifesaving South Africa | Pool Lifeguard, Surf(Beach) Lifeguard |
| National Lifesaving and Aquatics | Lifeguard Training (LGT) |
| Nationaal Plarvorm Zwembaden (Netherlands) | Pool Lifeguard |
| Royal Life Saving Society(UK, Australia) | National Lifeguard Service Award, National Beach Lifeguard, National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (must have additional training for lake guarding), National Open Water Lifeguard |
| Royal Life Saving, New Zealand | Bronze Medallion with verification of current CPR/AED |
| Royal Lifesaving Society Australia | Bronze Medallion with caveat: Additional Training and skills verification in use of rescue tube, and backboard for spinal injury management is required. |
| Safety Training Awards, STA (Scotland) |
Level 2 Award for Pool Lifeguard QCF Must also complete the Additional Units: First Aid, Emergency First Aid, Backboard, CPR and AED |
| Safety Training Awards, STA (UK) |
Professional Award for Pool Lifeguard SCQF Level 6 Must also complete the Additional Units: First Aid, Emergency First Aid, Backboard, CPR and AED |
| Skills Active/New Zealand Recreation Association | Pool Lifeguard Skills Award if working under a Competent Supervisor and Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate or higher |
| Starguard Elite | Starguard |
| Surf Life Saving Australia | Surf Rescue, Bronze Medallion |
| Surf Lifesaving New Zealand | Surf Lifeguard Award |
| Swiss Red Cross |
Brevat PRO-Pool with verification of current First Aid |
| UK/Irish WSA National Pool Lifeguard Qualification | Lifeguard |
| URSUS Aquatics | Lifeguard |
| US Coast Guard | Rescue Swimmer |
| YMCA | Lifeguard |
| Zambales Lifesaving | Pool Lifeguard |
| SCUBA Diving MANDATORY | |
|---|---|
Organization |
Certification |
| NAUI | Instructor |
| PADI | Instructor |
| SSI | Instructor |
| Swimming Lessons | |
|---|---|
Organization |
Certification |
| Active Training, World Aquatics | Swimming Instructor |
| Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) of Great Britain | Level 1 or Level 2 Aquatic Instructor |
| American Red Cross | Water Safety Instructor (WSI) |
| AUSTSWIM, Inc. | AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety |
| Boy Scouts of America | Aquatic Instructor |
| Canadian Red Cross | Water Safety Instructor (WSI) |
| Ellis & Associates | Learn to Swim Program Instructor |
| Professional Swimming Teachers and Coaches Association (PSTCA) (South Africa) | Level 1 or 2 Instructor Certificate |
| Safety Training Awards (UK) | Professional Award in Teaching Swimming at SCQF Level 6 |
| Scottish Swimming | UKCC Level 1: Coaching Swimming |
| Skills Active/New Zealand Swimming | SNZ Swim Teacher Award (previously ASTA) National Certificate in Recreation and Sports – Aquatics (Swim Education) Level 3 |
| Starfish Aquatics Institute | Starfish Swimming Instructor |
| Swim Lessons University (Pool use only) | Certified Swim Instructor |
| Swimming South Africa | Preliminary Swimming Teachers Certificate, National Swimming Teachers Certificate |
| YMCA | YMCA Youth and Adult Instructor I or II |
| Watercraft Instruction | |
|---|---|
Organization |
Certfication |
|
American Canoe Association |
Instructor Certification for designated craft and environment from courses listed above (*ST.15). |
| American Red Cross | Basic Sailing Instructor, Canoe Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water), Kayak Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water) |
| American Sailing Association | Basic Small Boat Instructor |
| British Canoe Union | Level 2 Coach (Flat Water Canoe and Kayak) |
| US Sailing | Small Boat Sailor Instructor, Powerboat Instructor |
| USA Water Ski Association | |