Does USA Swimming require lifeguards during practice?
USA Swimming does not require lifeguards to be on duty for swim practices or meets. USA Swimming Rules and Regulations require all coach members to be certified in three different areas in order for them to be on deck coaching: Safety Training for Swim Coaches, CPR and First Aid. If the facility being used has a requirement for lifeguards to be on duty in order for their insurance to be in effect, then this is a facility regulation. Many states also have laws that require lifeguards to be on deck in certain situations. I need to renew my Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC) certification. My local ARC chapter has informed me that a course called Sport Safety Training has replaced STSC. If I take Sport Safety Training instead of STSC, have I met the membership requirements? No! Sport Safety Training does fulfill the First Aid and CPR requirements, but it has not replaced Safety Training for Swim Coaches.
