FIRST AID CERTIFICATIONS *

Bureau of Child Care

Certification Guidelines Rev. 2/12/2016

Bureau of Child Care

2016

Health Certifications & Qualifications

The Department requires that camp operators employ staff who are

properly trained and possess valid certifications for the appropriate

First Aid and CPR courses for their respective titles (i.e. Health

Director, Aquatics Director, etc.) prior to receiving a permit to

operate.

Your permit can be denied or revoked, resulting in a closure of your

camp and/or being fined, if:

 All certificates are not on-site and readily accessible during

your camp’s inspection.

 Trainings or certifications are discovered to be falsified,

unapproved, or invalid.

How to get certified…

Below is a partial list of organizations recognized by the New York State Department of Health as offering

approved trainings for camp personnel. Please contact them via phone or on the web to obtain the

schedule of trainings nearest you.

Organization

Phone

Website

American Red Cross

(ARC)

(800) 733-2767

www.nyredcross.org

National Safety

Council (NSC)

(800) 621-7619

www.nsc.org

Regional Emergency

Medical Services

(REMSCO)

(212) 870-2301

www.nycremsco.org

American Safety &

Health Institute (ASHI)

(800) 682-5067

www.ashinstitute.org

American Heart

Association (AHA)

(212) 878-5900

(800) 242-8721

www.americanheart.org

YMCA

(212)630-9600

www.ymcanyc.org

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Bureau of Child Care

125 Worth Street, Suite 315

New York, NY 10013

Tel. (646) 632-6100

Fax (347) 396-8054

Website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/living/camp.shtml

Page 1

FIRST AID CERTIFICATIONS

(Advance First Aid)

for NYS Children’s Camp Staff

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

Subpart 7-2 of the State Sanitary Code requires the health director, other staff specified in section 7-2.8, and certain camp

trip and activity leaders

to possess valid certification in first aid. The courses listed below have been accepted by the

Department as being equivalent to or exceeding first aid course standards specified in Section 7-2.2(m). Some medical

personnel may possess training and experience that is equivalent to or exceeds this certification requirement. A résumé or

list of qualifications should be submitted to the local permit-issuing official for evaluation.

Acceptable certifications for camp CPR staff are listed on the Fact Sheet titled Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Certif ication f or N YS C hildr en’s C am ps and N YS Bath ing Facilit ies.

Accepted Courses

(First Aid certifications are valid for the time period specified by the provider, but may not exceed three years from

the date of course completion.)

Provider

Certification Title

American Red Cross

 Emergency Medical Response

 Responding to Emergencies (any certification title containing the wording

“Responding to Emergencies” is acceptable)

 Wilderness and Remote First Aid

American Safety & Health Institute

 Advanced First Aid – Certification must be accompanied by a Recognition

of Participation in the ASHI training program approved by the New York

State Department of Health.

 Basic Wilderness First Aid

 Wilderness First Aid

 Wilderness First Responder

 Wilderness EMT

Canadian Red Cross Society

 Standard First Aid

Emergency Care and Safety Institute

 Advanced First Aid

 Emergency Medical Responder

 Wilderness First Aid BSA (16 hours) (course title – Boy Scouts of America

Wilderness First Aid)

 Wilderness First Aid Basic

 Wilderness First Aid Standard

 Wilderness First Aid Advanced Level

National Registry of Emergency Medical

Technicians

 Emergency Medical Responder

 Emergency Medical Technician

 Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

 Paramedic

National Safety Council

 NSC Emergency Medical Response

 NSC Advanced First Aid, CPR & AED

National Ski Patrol

 Outdoor Emergency Care Technician

New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation

 Summer Camp First Aid for Camp Counselors and Camp Directors

Page 2

FIRST AID CERTIFICATIONS

New York State Department of Health

 Certified First Responder

 EMT – Basic

 Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

 Critical Care

 Paramedic

NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute

(formerly Wilderness Medicine Institute of the

National Outdoor Leadership School)

 Wilderness Advanced First Aid

 Wilderness First Responder

 Wilderness EMT

St. John Ambulance Canada

 Medical First Responder

 Emergency Medical Responder

 Standard First Aid

SOLO Wilderness Emergency Medicine

 Wilderness First Aid

 Wilderness First Responder

 Wilderness EMT

Wilderness Medical Associates

 Wilderness Advanced First Aid

 Wilderness First Responder

 Wilderness EMT

 Wilderness First Aid 16 Hours (Wilderness First Aid option B – 16 Hours

is not acceptable)

A trip leader of a camp trip that includes an activity where emergency medical care is not readily available or an activity such as

wilderness hiking, rock climbing, camping, horseback riding, bicycling, swimming and/or boating shall possess or be accompanied by

staff who possess certifications in one of the above acceptable courses; For camp trip swimming activities where emergency medical

care is readily available, the certifications listed below may be substituted.

An activity leader of an activity on the camp property where other staff certified in first aid in accordance with Section 7-2.8 of Subpart

is not readily available, shall possess or be accompanied by staff who possess certifications in one of the above acceptable courses.

Most states utilize the National curriculum for their EMT certifications. Individuals that can provide proof that their state utilizes the

National curriculum may be accepted. EMT certifications from states that do not utilize the National curriculum may be accepted on a

case by case basis.

FIRST AID CERTIFICATIONS

(Standard First Aid)

At a Summer Day Camp, when the camp’s program does not include equestrian, bicycling, challenge course, rock

climbing, boating, riflery, archery, motorized recreational vehicles, wilderness hiking/activities, and similar activities;

and emergency medical care is available within 10 minutes, the following certifications may be substituted for the

above courses.

These certifications do not satisfy the requirement for camp CPR certified staff. Acceptable certifications for CPR are

listed on the Fact Sheet titled Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification for NYS Children’s Camps and NYS

rovider

Certification Title

American Heart Association

 Heartsaver First Aid

 Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED

 Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED

American Lifeguard Association

 Community First Aid Instructor Led*

*Certificates must include words Instructor Led

American Red Cross

 First Aid/CPR/AED

 Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

Page 3

American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)

 Basic First Aid*

 Pediatric CPR, AED, and First Aid*

*Certification must be accompanied by a Recognition of Participation in the

corresponding ASHI training program approved by the New York State

Department of Health

Emergency Care and Safety Institute

 First Aid for NY Day Camps, Basic Level

EMS Safety Services Inc.

 Basic First Aid (course title – Basic First Aid for Community Rescuers)

 CPR & First Aid (course title – CPR/AED and First Aid for Community

Rescuers)

Medic First Aid

 PediatricPlus CPR, AED, and First Aid - Certification must be accompanied

by a Recognition of Participation in Medic First Aid training program

approved by the New York State Department of Health

National Safety Council

 NSC First Aid

 NSC First Aid, CPR & AED

Page 4

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) CERTIFICATION

for NYS Children's Camps and NYS Bathing Facilities

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view the most current certification list)

The New York State Sanitary Code (SSC) requires certain staff to possess a valid two-rescuer CPR

certification in a course accepted by the Department as providing an adequate level of training as follows:

Children’s Camps (Subpart 7-2 of the SSC) - CPR certification is required for the health director and other

staff specified in sections 7-2.8 and 7-2.11(a)(5), aquatics director, lifeguards, and certain trip and activity

leaders

Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches (Part 6 of the SSC) - CPR certification is required for all lifeguards

(Supervision Levels I, IIa, IIb).

CPR CERTIFICATIONS ARE VALID FOR 1 YEAR FROM THE DATE OF CERTIFICATION,

REGARDLESS OF EXPIRATION DATE ON CARD

Accepted Courses

Provider

Certification Title

American Heart Association

Certification listing “Laerdal Medical” as the “TC

address contact Info” and “Course Location” on

the back of the card are not acceptable.

 BLS Instructor

 BLS Provider (Course title - Basic Life Support)

 Healthcare Provider (Course title - BLS for Healthcare Providers)

American Lifeguard Association

 CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Instructor Led

American Red Cross

 CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare

Providers

 Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED

 Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers

American Safety & Health Institute

 ASHI CPR for Professional Rescuer (CPR PRO)

Emergency Care and Safety Institute

 Health Care Provider CPR

EMS Safety Services, Inc.

 CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers

Heart & Stroke Foundation of

Canada

 Level C - Basic Rescuer CPR

National Safety Council

 NSC Basic Life Support for Healthcare & Professional

Rescuers

New York City Department of Parks

& Recreation

 Municipal CPR: Basic Life Support

New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation

 CPR/AED for Lifeguards, Camp Counselors and Camp

Directors

Regional Emergency Medical

Services Council of New York City

 BCLS for Health Care Providers Course

St. John Ambulance Canada

 Level C (Basic Rescuer) CPR

A trip leader of a camp trip that includes an activity where emergency medical care is not readily available or an activity

such as wilderness hiking, rock climbing, camping, horseback riding, bicycling, swimming and/or boating shall possess or

be accompanied by staff who possess certification in a course listed on this Fact Sheet.

An activity leader of an activity on the camp property where other CPR certified staff is not readily available shall possess

or be accompanied by staff who possess certification in a course listed on this Fact Sheet.

CAMP AQUATICS DIRECTOR

for NYS Children's Camp Bathing Facilities

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

A camp aquatics director must oversee all swimming activities that occur at swimming pools and bathing

beaches operated as part of a children’s camp. This person shall supervise lifeguards and other required

staff during swimming activities and implement the camp safety plan. The camp aquatics director must:

 be at least 21 years of age

 have a minimum of:

 one season of previous experience as a camp aquatics director at a New York State children’s

camp; or

 two seasons of previous experience consisting of at least 12 weeks as a children’s camp

lifeguard which had more than one lifeguard supervising it at a time; or

 18 weeks of previous experience as a lifeguard at a swimming pool or bathing beach, which

had more than one lifeguard supervising it at a time.

 hold an accepted and current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate as listed on the

Fact Sheet entitled “Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification for NYS Children’s

Camps and NYS Bathing Facilities”

 annually review and document the review of the camp’s safety plan for swimming

 possess current certification in a training course for lifeguard supervision and management as

described below:

Acceptable Lifeguard Supervision and Management Courses

(Certifications are valid for the time period specified by the provider, but may

not exceed three years from the date of course completion.)

Provider

Certification Title

American Red Cross (ARC)

Lifeguard Management (LGM) certifications:

 As of 1/1/14, LGM is only offered online. In-person testing is

required and obtained through ARC Lifeguarding Instructors

that are ARC Authorized Providers.

 Certification expiration date is based on the LGM certificate,

not the in-person testing certificate date.

 Cards issued prior to 1/1/14 without an expiration date can

be accepted for three years from date of issuance.

 Lifeguard Management – certifications

issued after 12/31/13 must be

accompanied by a separate certification

indicating in-person testing session.

 Lifeguarding Instructor

Boy Scouts of America

 Aquatics Instructor, BSA

New York State Department of Environmental

Conservation

 New York State Lifeguard Management

YMCA

Aquatics Management and Aquatics Management Trainer

certifications are no longer offered:

 Certification in Aquatics Management remains valid for three

years from date of certification, but no later than 12/31/2018.

 Certification in Aquatics Management Trainer remains valid

for two years from date of certification, but no later than

12/31/2017.

 Aquatics Management

 Aquatics Management Trainer

An Aquatics Director may not perform lifeguard duties unless currently certified as a qualified lifeguard, or

assess swimming ability unless currently certified as a progressive swimming instructor (see corresponding

Fact Sheets available at www.health.ny.gov or from your local health department).

Page 5

Level III and IV Aquatic Supervision Staff

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) CERTIFICATIONS

For NYS Bathing Facilities

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

Level III and IV Aquatic Supervisory Staff are required to possess an American Red

Cross (ARC) CPR or equivalent (except when staff is employed at bathing facilities that

are part of a temporary residence or campground). As a result of changes in ARC’s

curriculum, the code standard “Community CPR” is no longer taught. Acceptable

certification equivalents are listed below.

CPR certifications are valid for 1 year from the date of certification,

regardless of the expiration date shown on the card.

Accepted Courses

CPR certifications listed on the Fact Sheet entitled “Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Certification for NYS Children’s Camps and NYS Bathing Facilities” exceed the requirements

for Level III and IV CPR courses and are acceptable.

Provider

Certification Title

American Heart Association

 Heartsaver CPR AED

American Red Cross

 Adult CPR/AED with Pediatric CPR

 Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED

 Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

Emergency Care and Safety Institute

 Adult, Child, Infant CPR

 Adult, Child, Infant CPR/AED

EMS Safety Services, Inc.

 CPR (course title – CPR/AED for

Community Rescuers; card must

indicate that Adult CPR, Child CPR, and

Infant CPR were taught)

Medic First Aid

Cards must be accompanied by a “Successful

Evaluation Certificate” which indicates that the

individual has passed written and performance

evaluations.

 Medic First Aid Basic and Medic First

Aid Infant and Child Supplement (both

certifications required)

 Medic First Aid CarePlus CPR (card

must indicate that Adult, Infant, and

Child Skills were taught)

Page 6

Page 7

AQUATIC CERTIFICATIONS

for NYS Bathing Facilities

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

Standards for aquatic/lifeguard certifications are contained in New York State Sanitary Codes (SSC) Subpart 6-1, Section 6-1.31,

Swimming Pools; Subpart 6-2, Section 6-2.20, Bathing Beaches; and Subpart 7-2, Section 7-2.5(g), Children’s Camps. When the

SSC requires "lifeguard supervision" or a "qualified lifeguard" at a bathing facility, an approved lifeguard certification SPECIFIC to

the type of bathing facility is required.

NOTE:

 All lifeguards must possess separate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification in an approved course

listed on the NYS CPR fact sheet unless otherwise indicated in the below table. All CPR certificates are valid for 1

year from course completion, regardless of the expiration date noted on the card.

 Lifeguard certifications shall be valid for the time period specified by the certifying agency, but may not exceed a consecutive

three-year period from course completion. Multiyear lifeguard certifications that include CPR require a CPR certification each

year.

 Children's camp lifeguards must be at least 17 years of age, except;

 A maximum of 50% of the required lifeguards on duty may be 16 years of age;

 Lifeguards for wilderness swimming must be at least 18 years of age.

 Supervising lifeguards must possess at least Supervision Level IIb certification, be at least 18 years old, and have at least 2

seasons of lifeguarding experience.

ACCEPTED COURSES

SUPERVISION LEVEL

Marked boxes indicate acceptability

PROVIDER

CERTIFICATION TITLE

Level I

Surf

Level II b

Pool &

Beach

Level II a

Pool Only

American Red Cross (ARC)

LIFEGUARDING AND FIRST AID CERTIFICATIONS ARE

VALID FOR 2 YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUANCE.

A SEPARATE CERTIFICATE FOR CPR IS NOT

REQUIRED IN FIRST YEAR OF CERTIFICATION.

*WATERPARK SKILLS or WATERFRONT SKILLS MAY BE

A SEPARATE CERTIFICATE.

Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED

Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED with

Waterpark Skills Certificate*

Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED with

Waterfront Skills Certificate*

American Lifeguard Association (ALA)

CERTIFICATE MUST STATE THE WORDS

“INSTRUCTOR LED”.

Professional Lifeguarding - Instructor Led

Waterpark Lifeguarding - Instructor Led

Waterfront Lifeguarding - Instructor Led

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

ALL CERTIFICATIONS ARE VALID FOR 2 YEARS FROM

DATE OF ISSUANCE AND CARD HOLDER MUST BE AT

LEAST 15 YEARS OF AGE (17 YEARS OF AGE FOR

CHILDREN’S CAMPS).

Lifeguard, BSA

Aquatics Instructor, BSA

Breezy Point Cooperative, Inc.

Breezy Point Surf Lifeguard

Cattaraugus County EMS

Cattaraugus County EMS Lifeguard Training

Program

Ellis & Associates Inc.

International Lifeguard Training Program

SEPARATE CERTIFICATE FOR CPR IS NOT REQUIRED

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF CERTIFICATION.

*CERTIFICATE MUST INDICATE COMPLETION OF

OPEN WATER TRAINING.

Pool Lifeguard Training

Special Facilities Lifeguard Training

Special Facilities Lifeguard Training with Open

Water Training*

Hamptons Consortium

Hamptons Consortium Surf Lifeguard

Incorporated Village of Saltaire

Ocean Lifeguard Certificate

Bay Front Lifeguard Certificate

Page 8

ACCEPTED COURSES

SUPERVISION LEVEL

Marked boxes indicate acceptability

PROVIDER

CERTIFICATION TITLE

Level I

Surf

Level II b

Pool &

Beach

Level II a

Pool Only

Nassau County Department of Parks,

Recreation and Museums

“Day Camp Only”

Grade 1A

Grade 1B

Grade II

Grade III

New York City Department of Parks

Municipal Lifeguard

Municipal Lifeguard “pool only”

New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation

New York State Lifeguard

Royal Life Saving Society, Canada

ALL CERTIFICATIONS ARE VALID FOR 2 YEARS FROM

DATE OF ISSUANCE.

National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Pool

National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Waterfront

National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Surf

National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Waterpark

Starfish Aquatics Institute, Inc.

CERTIFICATION IS VALID FOR 1 YEAR FROM DATE OF

ISSUANCE AND CERTIFICATE MUST SPECIFY “MEETS

NY STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REGULATIONS.”

SEPARATE CERTIFICATE FOR CPR IS NOT REQUIRED

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF CERTIFICATION.

*IN “SPECIALTY MODULE TRAINING” SECTION OF

CERTIFICATION CARD, “WATERFRONT” MUST NOT BE

CROSSED OUT.

StarGuard Best Practices for Lifeguards

StarGuard Best Practices for Lifeguards with

Waterfront Specialty Module Training*

Suffolk County Department of Parks

Ocean Lifeguard Training

Stillwater Lifeguard Training Course

Town of Babylon

Ocean Lifeguard

Stillwater Lifeguard Training Course

Town of Brookhaven

Ocean Theory Course

Town of East Hampton

Surf Lifeguard

Pool and Beach Lifeguard

Town of Islip

Surf Lifeguard

Pool and Beach Lifeguard

Town of Southampton

Ocean Lifeguard

Stillwater Lifeguard

Village of Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach Atlantic Ocean Lifeguard

Course

YMCA

YMCA Lifeguard v6 Certification

2011 Edition Lifeguard Certification

Page 9

SHALLOW WATER CERTIFICATION

(Valid for shallow pools as indicated below)

PROVIDER

CERTIFICATION TITLE

American Red Cross (ARC)

CERTIFICATIONS ARE VALID FOR 2 YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUANCE.

A SEPARATE CERTIFICATE FOR CPR IS NOT REQUIRED IN FIRST YEAR OF

CERTIFICATION.

Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED (Valid for water

depths of 5 feet or less.)

Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED (Valid for water

depths of 3 feet or less.)

American Lifeguard Association (ALA)

CERTIFICATE MUST STATE THE WORDS “INSTRUCTOR LED”.

Shallow Water Lifeguarding - Instructor Led (Valid for water depths

of 4 feet or less.)

Ellis & Associates Inc.

International Lifeguard Training Program

SEPARATE CERTIFICATE FOR CPR IS NOT REQUIRED IN THE FIRST YEAR

OF CERTIFICATION.

Shallow Water Lifeguard (Valid for water depths of 5 feet or less.)

Camp Trip Swimming Program Safety Certifications

for NYS Children’s Camps

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view the most current certification list)

When swimming is conducted during a camp trip to an aquatics facility that is

supervised by qualified lifeguard(s), the camp must supply one additional lifeguard or a

staff member possessing training in Children’s Camp Swimming Program Safety for

each 75 campers at the swimming activity (See Aquatic Certification Fact Sheet for a list

of qualified lifeguard certification). A camp supplied lifeguard or staff trained in

swimming safety is not required for aquatic amusement park activities that allow only

one or two patrons in the water at a time and the activity water depth does not exceed

chest deep for non-swimmers.

The following courses have been accepted by the Department as meeting or exceeding

course standards for training in Children’s Camp Swimming Program Safety specified in

Section 7-2.11(a)(4)(iv)(a) of the State Sanitary Code:

Provider

Certification Title*

American Red Cross (ARC)

Lifeguard Management (LGM) certifications:

 As of 1/1/14, LGM is only offered online. In-person

testing is required and obtained through ARC

Lifeguarding Instructors that are ARC Authorized

Providers.

 Certification expiration date is based on the LGM

certificate, not the in-person testing certificate date.

 Cards issued prior to 1/1/14 without an expiration

date can be accepted for three years from date of

issuance.

 Lifeguard Management –

certifications issued after

12/31/13 must be accompanied

by a separate certification

indicating in-person testing

session.

 Lifeguard Instructor

American Red Cross on Long Island

 Pool Activity Leader

Boy Scouts of America

 Aquatics Supervision

YMCA

Aquatics Management and Aquatics Management Trainer

certifications are no longer offered:

 Certification in Aquatics Management remains valid

for three years from date of certification, but no later

than 12/31/2018.

 Certification in Aquatics Management Trainer

remains valid for two years from date of certification,

but no later than 12/31/2017.

 Aquatics Management

 Aquatics Management Trainer

Certifications are valid for the time period specified by the certifying agency, but may

not exceed a consecutive three-year period from course completion.

Page 10

NYS Bathing Facilities

Supervision Level III Aquatic Staff Certification

Required for Instructional Activities

(Not applicable to Children’s Camps)

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

The New York State Sanitary Code (SSC) requires Supervision Level III staff to possess

aquatic injury prevention and emergency response certification when assisting required

lifeguards (Supervision Level IIa) during instructional activities, in accordance with Section

6-1.23(a)(6) of Subpart 6-1 of the SSC. Instructional activities include, but are not limited

to, learn-to-swim programs, physical education classes and swim team practices. One

Supervision Level III staff must be provided for each required lifeguard engaged in

instructional activities.

Accepted Courses

(Certifications are valid for the time period specified by the provider, but may not exceed

three years from the date of course completion.)

Provider

Certification Title

American Red Cross (ARC)

 As of 1/1/14, Lifeguard Management (LGM) is only

offered online. In-person testing is required and

obtained through ARC Lifeguarding Instructors that

are ARC Authorized Providers.

 Certification expiration date is based on the LGM

certificate, not the in-person testing certificate date.

 Cards issued prior to 1/1/14 without an expiration

date can be accepted for three years from date of

issuance.

 Lifeguard Management – certifications

issued after 12/31/13 must be

accompanied by a separate certification

indicating in-person testing session.

East Aurora Union Free School District

 East Aurora Union Free School District

Level Three Aquatic Supervisor Course

Buffalo Public Schools

 Second Set of Eyes

In addition to the training, Level III Aquatic Supervisory staff must:

 Be a minimum of 18 years;

 Possess a current American Red Cross Community Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

(CPR) or equivalent certification, not to exceed one year;

 Possess competencies as specified in Section 6-1.31(c)(1)(iii) of the SSC.

Page 11

Learn-to-Swim Programs

for NYS Children's Camps

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

Subpart 7-2 of the State Sanitary Code allows non-swimmers to enter water that is

chest deep or greater when participating in a learn-to-swim program that has been

determined to use a supervision protocol which protects campers from injury or

drowning. The following programs have been determined to be acceptable:

Acceptable Programs*

American Red Cross

Boy Scouts of America

Orchard Park Recreation

PADI

Starfish Aquatics

YMCA

 Instructors must possess current certification as a progressive swimming

instructor (PSI) in the program being utilized to teach swimming.

 Qualified lifeguards must supervise learn-to-swim programs. A PSI may not

perform lifeguard duties unless currently certified as a qualified lifeguard (see

"Aquatic Certification" fact sheet) and he/she is not concurrently performing

teaching duties.

 A Buddy System and Board System (or equivalent) of supervising and checking

bathers must be implemented during all swimming activities including learn-to-

swim programs.

*Children’s camps may utilize learn-to-swim programs that are not listed above to teach

swimming at camp; however, non-swimmers must be restricted to water that is less than

chest deep at all times.

Page 12

PROGRESSIVE SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR*

for NYS Children's Camps

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

A progressive swimming instructor is required to assess the swimming ability of each

camper prior to allowing the child to participate in aquatic activities.

The following courses meet the certification requirements as specified in Section 7-2.5(f)

of Subpart 7-2 of the New York State Sanitary Code:

Accepted Courses

Provider

Certification Title

American Red Cross (ARC)

 Water Safety Instructor

Boy Scouts of America

 Aquatics Instructor, BSA

Canadian Red Cross

 Water Safety Instructor

Orchard Park Recreation

 Western New York Swimming Instructor

Trainer

PADI

 PADI Swimming Instructor – certifications

must indicate specialty program training in

both Stroke and Swim School

Starfish Aquatics Institute

 Starfish Swimming Instructor – certifications

must indicate specialty program training in

both Stroke and Swim School

YMCA

 YMCA Swim Lessons Instructor

*A progressive swimming instructor may not perform lifeguard duties unless currently

certified as a qualified lifeguard (see "Aquatic Certifications" fact sheet) and the

individual is not concurrently performing instructional duties.

Page 13

EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR PROGRAM CERTIFICATIONS

for NYS Children’s Camps

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

Section 3000-c of Public Health Law permits children’s camps to establish an epinephrine

auto-injector program to stock and allow specially trained camp staff to use an epinephrine

auto-injector device to treat life-threatening allergic reactions (also known as anaphylaxis).

Please refer to the Department of Health Fact Sheet entitled “Epinephrine Auto-Injector Use by

Children’s Camps” for more detailed information about establishing an epinephrine auto-

injector program at a camp.

To participate in an auto-injector program, children’s camp operators must develop, sign and

implement a collaborative agreement with an emergency heath care provider (physician or

hospital) who will oversee the camp’s program. The camp’s emergency health care provider

should determine which of the following approved courses will be used to train camp staff.

Courses require annual recertification.

Provider

Certification Title

American Red Cross

 Epinephrine Auto-Injector Training

 Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto

Injector

Lifesaving Enterprises

 Epinephrine Auto-Injector Training

New York State Department of

Health Bureau of Emergency

Medical Services*



Training Program Outline for Unlicensed

or Uncertified Personnel to Administer

Epinephrine by Auto-Injector in Life-

Threatening Situations

*The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) does not provide training to camp staff;

however, their approved training curriculum is available for use by the camp’s emergency

health care provider (EHCP) or individual designated by the EHCP to provide the training to

camp staff. BEMS curriculum is available from the BEMS Operations Unit at (518) 402-0996

or at http://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/pdf/epitraining.pdf. Additionally, BEMS

Policy Statement on Epinephrine Auto-Injectors is available at

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/pdf/11-08.pdf.

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QUALIFIED SWIMMING POOL WATER TREATMENT

OPERATOR COURSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

for Operation of NYS Swimming Pools and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds

Fact Sheet – March 2016

(Go to www.health.ny.gov to view most current certification list)

A qualified swimming pool water treatment operator is required to maintain pools larger

than 3,000 square feet in surface area, or pools disinfected using gas chlorine and all

recreational aquatic spray ground facilities.

Qualified swimming pool water treatment operator certifications shall be valid for the time

period specified by the certifying agency and must be maintained current.

The following are adequate courses of instruction regarding the safe and effective

operation and maintenance of pool treatment equipment as specified in Section 6-1.2(l)(2)

of Subpart 6-1 and Section 6-3.2(e) of Subpart 6-3 of the New York State Sanitary Code:

Provider

Certification Title

American Swimming Pool and Spa

Association

Licensed Aquatic Facility Technician (LAFT)

Certificates indicating completion of an online or

hybrid LAFT course are not acceptable.

National Recreation and Park

Association

Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO)

National Swimming Pool Foundation

Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO)

Starfish Aquatics Institute

AquaTech

YMCA

Pool Operator on Location (POOL)

The Pool Operator on Location course is no longer offered. Existing certifications are valid for five years

from the date of certification.

Page 15