International Lifeguard Training Program and vanGUARD™ Aquatics Leadership Program Earn Distinctions for CDC Safety Standards
Ellis & Associates, Inc. (E&A) has achieved Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) Certification for two of its premier programs: International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP) and vanGUARD™ Aquatics Leadership.
An international aquatic safety and risk management consulting firm, E&A is known for its dedication to the prevention and elimination of drowning. The firm offers various aquatic risk management services, educational programs, and trainings.
Launched in 2018, the CMAHC certification program helps educate the public about products and services that meet the strict, science-based standards in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). If followed, the guidance in the MAHC helps reduce the risk for disease outbreaks, drownings, and chemical injuries at public aquatic facilities. The CMAHC awards certification to services or products that comply with the relevant or applicable standards in the latest MAHC edition.
“At E&A, we are dedicated to providing solutions to operational challenges that enhance overall safety for all types of aquatic facilities around the world,” said Joe Stefanyak, Senior Director, E&A. “Earning the CMAHC Certification for our exclusive ILTP and vanGUARD™ Aquatics Leadership programs is a testament to our comprehensive aquatic risk management offerings, as well as our innovative trainings and customizable risk prevention strategies.”
CMAHC certification is not a single occurrence. Rather, the intent is to build a long-term quality control partnership. After initial certification, the CMAHC re-evaluates each certified service or product annually to ensure it continues to meet the same high standards required in the MAHC to maintain certification. Services or products that earn a CMAHC certification are said to be “CMAHC certified” and may display the CMAHC certification emblem to demonstrate they have been evaluated for conformance with the requirements in the latest MAHC edition.
About Ellis & Associates:
Founded in 1983, Ellis & Associates, Inc. (E&A) is an international aquatic safety and risk management consulting firm dedicated to the prevention and elimination of drowning. E&A provides lifeguard instructor training, aquatic risk management services, accident investigation, litigation support, emergency care training, Learn-to-Swim and continuing education programs for all types of aquatic facilities around the world. Learn more here.
About the International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP):
The International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP) is a proactive and professional approach to preventative lifeguarding that has established new “Standards of Care” within the aquatics industry. This comprehensive lifeguard training program includes healthcare provider-level CPR, AED training, Emergency Oxygen Administration training, First Aid training, and comprehensive rescue techniques training. For more information, click here.
About the vanGUARD™ Aquatics Leadership Program:
The vanGUARD™ Aquatics Leadership Program provides training for Lifeguard Supervisors on topics related to leading lifeguard teams, managing lifeguard scanning and vigilance, techniques for developing and evaluating Zone of Protection® areas, practice development of facility-specific Emergency Action Plans, and preventative safety measures in an aquatic facility environment. The program is a certificate, e-Learning, CEU course that meets the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) lifeguard supervisors training requirements (MAHC section 6.2.2).
About CMAHC:
The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) was created to manage updates to, and promote voluntary adoption of, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), the only all-inclusive national model pool code. The MAHC is kept sustainable, current, and complete because the people who use it also research, develop, discuss, and vote on proposed changes through membership in the CMAHC. The CMAHC submits proposed changes to CDC as advice on how the MAHC needs to change to keep up with the latest science and best practices. Throughout the year, CMAHC staff educate local and state authorities, aquatic facility owners and operators, designers and builders, manufacturers, and suppliers about the MAHC and its potential to ensure a healthy and safe swimming experience for everyone. To learn more, visit cmahc.org.