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National standards for lifeguards are set by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA),
which offers a lifeguard agency certification program and an aquatic rescue response team certification
program. The USLA has over a hundred chapters around the country. Organizations that certify
individual lifeguards include the American Red Cross, YMCA, Starfish Aquatics Institute (Starguard),
Ellis & Associates and NASCO.
Lifeguards for state beaches may be required to enroll in special training courses in addition
to certification and CPR knowledge. The Lifeguard Training Program offered by The American Red Cross
is for individuals 15 years of age or older while the organization also offers the younger GuardStart
program for ages 11 through 14. Lifeguard careers can involve volunteer work, paid government jobs
or companies such as hotels, apartment complexes and theme parks that offer swimming facilities.
