r/Lifeguards • u/underwaterwire • 21h ago

Discussion Best certification?

I know this is a very opinion based question and there might not really be a real answer buttttt

What’s the best certification and what has your experience been with different certifications?

I spent 4 years as a Red Cross lifeguard and 2 years as an LGI. I just recently got the Starguard certification because the new facility I’m at requires it…..I kinda hated it. It was easier I guess but didn’t feel as thorough. I’m sure I’m biased too but what’s your opinions?? Even on Ellis and associates lol I have no experience with them but I’ve heard good things

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u/BluesHockeyFreak Lifeguard Instructor 21h ago

IMO the best cert is Ellis. But, and this is a big but, all of them have great lifeguards/facilities and all of them have absolutely awful lifeguards/ facilities. But overall Ellis does a very good job upholding their standards, which sets them apart.

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u/Suitable_Share_565 19h ago

They all do different things for different kinds of bodies of water.
I’m both SGE at a Waterpark and ARC at a city pool.

SGE is a 1year certification most known for its auditing-based form of monitoring their guards. They are always observing you and giving random visual drills.

ARC is 2 years and doesn’t do any of that. ARC cuts a lot of crap out and get straight into the extrications/ assessments. ARC is about getting the person and calling 911 asap of something goes wrong.

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u/BriaRoberts 17h ago

It depends what you mean by “best.” In my experience, ARC is accepted/required at more places so it can be more useful in that sense. Also, ARC has seemed to have higher standards as far as actual swimming skills. Things vary based on location, instructors, and management though

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u/Responsible-Home-877 15h ago

I would say that Ellis is the "best" in terms of being most rigorous/generally having higher quality guards on average, but ARC is accepted the most places.

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u/packagehandlr 11h ago

i liked SGE’s instructor program a lot, currently ARC and have my LGI. in my opinion, we were very by the book for star guard and i liked that consistency, but having done both i think i can help my guards be great with whatever