Waterfront certification changes.

January is here and the pile of staff applications on your desk is looking more and more intimidating. Hidden somewhere within those standardized application forms is a gem or two, the new staff members who will fill the void left by last summer's departures.

You discard some applications ... the college senior who misspelled every other word on the cover letter and neglected to list any references; the elementary school teacher who's counting on a camp experience to help alleviate the burnout felt after working with kids everyday. Those are easy. What's difficult is determining which applicants have the qualifications you need.

Your mission seems straightforward enough. You need waterfront staff. What is it you should look for on the application? You note that one candidate has a Red Cross "Head Guard" certificate. What is that person qualified to do? Another individual who has YMCA lifeguarding mentions "green cross" first aid on a list of qualifications. The American Camping Association has been pushing boating safety lately, so you want to find the right people for your canoeing and sailing programs, too. What do all those acronyms mean anyway? What does a person with CPRPR have that a person with CFAS doesn't? What happened to Emergency Water Safety? And what on earth is a Level One Dinghy Instructor?

If you're confused, you're not alone. Over the past year or so aquatic and first aid certification courses have undergone major revision. Philosophies have changed. Old programs have been eliminated. New players have emerged. If you're like most camp directors, you don't have time to research all the changes, so here are some tips for figuring out which certifications are right for your staffing needs.

Lifeguards

For the past six years, the American Red Cross (ARC) has offered two levels of lifeguard certification: Basic Lifeguarding and Lifeguard Training. Another course, Emergency Water Safety, featuring emergency skills training without lifeguard certification, has been a third option. These courses are being phased out. New certificates will appear beginning this spring, and although some "old" certificates may be valid through the end of 1998, no one will be trained using old materials after December 31, 1995.

The new ARC program features only one course, Lifeguard Training. This new course runs approximately 27 hours and includes first aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPRPR) as part of the core curriculum. Both of these certifications must be kept current for the lifeguarding certificate to be valid. The new Lifeguard Training course focuses on guarding a swimming pool and includes only minimal information concerning other water environments.

After completing Lifeguard Training, an individual may choose to continue with one or more specialized modules. Each module requires an additional 5- to 6-hour time commitment. Many camps may prefer to hire lifeguards with Waterfront endorsements. These individuals will have received skills training pertinent to protected waters and non-surf beaches. A Head Lifeguard endorsement will indicate training in injury prevention, selection and training of lifeguards, interaction with patrons, and emergency response planning. Individuals holding a Waterpark endorsement will have received training specific to that environment.

There is no equivalent to Emergency Water Safety (EWS) in the new ARC program. A new course entitled Community Water Safety (CWS), is available; however, this course has eliminated many components of the EWS course and does not require demonstration of skills. Therefore, CWS will not fulfill ACA standards calling for EWS.

An individual with a YMCA Lifeguard certificate has been trained to work in both pool and waterfront environments. Within the YMCA lifeguarding program, a newly standardized trainer text has been adopted, and, as with the ARC program, emphasis has been placed on equipment-based rescues. First aid and CPR training are not included in the 28-hour YMCA course, but current training is required for successful completion and for certification to remain valid.

A lifeguard training program is also offered by the Boy Scouts of America. In addition to traditional lifeguarding skills, a lifeguard BSA must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in basic canoeing and rowboating. Current CPR and first aid are also required. This certification is open to any registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

Progressive swimming instructors

A new player in progressive swimming instruction is Ellis and Associates. If a key staff member becomes a Licensed Program Coordinator for the National Safety Council/ Ellis and Associates Learn-to-Swim Program, he or she has the ability to train swimming instructors working at your camp. Instructors in this program can be trained in as little as four hours, but they may not use their training as an independent certification; they must work under the direction of a Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator has ultimate responsibility for the program and must be on-deck observing instructors whenever classes are in session. Program Coordinators and instructors will be monitored by Ellis and Associates through unannounced performance audits. The Learn-to-Swim program is geared primarily to ages four through seven. (The January issue of The CampLine will feature more detailed information on this program.)

The structure of the ARC progressive swim program has undergone some modification. However, a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) should still be hired if you plan to offer Red Cross programs and certificates. A WSI is not qualified to lifeguard unless a lifeguarding certificate is also held.

The YMCA progressive swim program is used primarily by YMCA camps and facilities. A YMCA Swimming Instructor may issue YMCA certificates only when teaching under the auspices of a YMCA program facility.

CPR and first aid training

ARC Community First Aid and Safety (CFAS) is a nine-hour course which includes first aid training and CPR skills for infant, child, and adult (Community CPR). ARC Standard First Aid (SFA) with an Adult CPR requirement is still available.

Neither CFAS nor Community CPR will fulfill the CPR requirement for ARC lifeguards because neither course requires skill demonstration using breathing devices. Because OSHA has determined that lifeguards have a duty to act when first aid is required, employers must make breathing devices available. Skill training for breathing devices can be found in CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPRPR). This course or its equivalent is now the standard for both ARC and YMCA lifeguarding programs. CPRPR includes infant, child, and adult skills plus two-person CPR and breathing devices. Previously, only Adult CPR skills were required for lifeguards.

Remember that for any of these courses, first aid and CPR cards are issued separately. First aid certificates are generally valid for a three-year period, CPR for a one-year time frame. Current certification should always be confirmed.

Although they will recognize ARC first aid and CPR courses, YMCA National is encouraging local branches to use the Level II First Aid program designed by the National Safety Council. The books for these programs are identified by a green cross, similar to the red one used on all ARC materials. The Level II program includes training in victim assessment; treatment for bleeding, shock, burns, specific body injuries, bites, stings, poisoning, cold and heat emergencies, and bone, muscle, and joint injuries; and handling medical emergencies and rescues. Adult, infant, and child CPR, two-person technique, and breathing devices are also covered.

Small craft

When ARC national support for small craft was withdrawn two years ago, many local chapters chose to terminate future instructor-level courses in paddling and sailing. ARC student-level certifications are still available from current instructors, and a number of chapters still offer instructor training. As you review staff applications, however, you will notice a number of new certifying bodies appearing.

Canoeing and kayaking instructors

The American Canoe Association's new paddling programs are designed to fill the gap created by the downsizing of the Red Cross program. An Introduction to Paddling Instructor is able to teach a new five-to eight-hour student-level course. An Introduction to River Paddling Instructor is able to prepare students for short river trips in a minimal amount of time. Additional instructor ratings available from the American Canoe Association include Flat Water Instructor, Freestyle Instructor, Moving Water Instructor, and White Water Instructor. Instructor certificates indicate the type of water and the type of boat/s (solo canoes, tandem canoes, or kayaks) for which the instructor is approved. Each of these is a separate course.

Those camps operating only on flat water with minimal time for student instruction will find Introduction to Paddling Instructors more than meet their needs. If camp sessions last longer than a week or two, a Flat Water or Freestyle Instructor may be better able to provide more in-depth instruction for campers. The same is true of Introduction to River Paddling Instructors versus Moving Water Instructors. The appropriate instructor training depends upon the scope of the camp program. Are river trips taken? Do campers learn to negotiate rapids? Remember that a White Water Instructor is capable of teaching on flat water, but an IP or Flat Water Instructor may not have any experience with moving or whitewater.

Sailing instructors

US SAILING Level 1 Dinghy Instructors (LID) must demonstrate small boat sailing ability and teaching skills. Safety boat handling is a required component of the course. If a state mandates minimum education for power boat operators, the L1D course will meet that requirement. L1D instructors may issue US SAILING student participation cards, but they do not teach a standardized student level curriculum.

Level 1 Windsurfing Instructors have received training similar to L1D instructors, but it is specific to the sport of windsurfing. If you offer windsurfing (sailboarding), an individual with "sailing" experience may not be qualified to teach it. Although many of the concepts seem similar, in practice, the two activities are worlds apart.

Keelboat Instructors are trained to teach on larger, fixed keel sailboats. The Keelboat program of US SAILING also includes instructor certification in offshore cruising and passage making.

For any US SAILING instructor certification to be valid, first aid and CPR training must be current. ACA recommends CPR instruction that includes use of a mask (e.g. ARC CPRPR, or NSC Green Cross Level II).

Water skiing instructors

The American Water Ski Association (AWSA) has instructor programs that were designed, in part, with camps in mind. In the spring of 1994, a new Trained Driver program was introduced in order to provide more individuals with hands-on skill training. Drivers are evaluated in several areas including equipment check, starting and maneuvering, communicating with the skier, acceleration, steering, stabilization of speed, returning to a fallen skier, and docking the boat.

An AWSA Level 1 Coach has taken a correspondence course covering proper instructional and driving techniques. Camps may offer this program to their ski staff if the camp itself is affiliated with AWSA. An affiliated camp may also host a trained driver clinic. AWSA is willing to offer a combination clinic which includes a classroom version of the Level 1 program and a trained driver clinic. If a camp wishes to issue AWSA student-level cards, at least one instructor needs to be certified.

Instructor trainers

One final note about certifications: If an individual is an Instructor Trainer (IT), it means that he or she is able to provide training and issue instructor certificates to others. Within the boating organizations, ITs are considered experts in their respective craft. Boating ITs must document continuing education and teaching activity in order to remain current. However, Lifeguard Instructors (LGI) and ITs do not have to maintain current lifeguarding certification. Before assigning a LGI or IT guarding duties, verify that he or she is, in fact, a lifeguard as well as a trainer. The same holds true for First Aid and CPR Instructors.

How will the changes affect ACA standards?

The National Standards Board (NSB) is currently studying the lifeguard, first aid, and CPR options available to camps to determine any necessary changes in the standards. Affected areas could include certification for staff supervising swimming, boating, and trip aquatics. The level of acceptable certification from other countries may change. Specific rescue equipment may also be required.

The content of ACA standards is voted upon by the Council of Delegates, normally following several years of input, open hearings, and revision. 1998 is the NSB target date for adoption of revised camp standards. Any changes the NSB may determine are warranted before 1998 would be subject to the same review and revision process. In the meantime, here is how ARC lifeguarding certifications will be interpreted by standards visitors beginning with the summer of 1995.

ARC Basic Lifeguarding    Phased out by ARC after 1995(1). Continues
                          to satisfy lifeguarding standards if certificate
                          is current.

ARC Lifeguard Training    Phased out after 1995(1). Continues to satisfy
(old materials)           lifeguarding standards if certificate is current.

ARC Lifeguard Training    Introduced fall of 1994. Will satisfy ACA
(new materials)           lifeguarding standards.

Head Guard                Introduced fall of 1994(2). Does not impact
                          standards at this time.

Waterfront                Introduced fall of 1994(3). Does not impact
                          standards at this time.

Waterpark                 Introduced fall of 1994(4). Does not impact
                          standards at this time.

ARC Emergency             Phased out by ARC after 1995(1). Continues
Water Safety              to satisfy standards requiring minimum of
                          Emergency Water Safety if certificate is current.

ARC Community             Introduced fall of 1994. Not recognized by
Water Safety              ACA standards. Will not satisfy EWS minimum.

1. Certificates earned during 1995 will be valid through 1998.

2. While not currently required, this certification is valuable training for waterfront directors.

3. While not currently required, this certification is designed for guards working in environments other than pools. Recommended for camps using lakes, rivers, or other non-surf natural bodies of water.

4. While not currently required, this certification is appropriate for guarding situations in which slides, wavepools, and other waterpark attractions are used.

Laurie O'Brien is the coordinator for boating safety for the American Camping Association.