Clone of United States Lifesaving Association Personal Rescue Watercraft Agency Certification

United States Lifesaving Association

Personal Rescue Watercraft Agency Certification – Application

Thank you for applying to the United States Lifesaving Association’s Personal Rescue Watercraft (PRWC) Agency Certification Program.

To be eligible for PRWC certification, your agency must already be certified under the USLA Lifeguard Agency Certification Program. Please ensure the following before proceeding:
- Review USLA Guideline 007 to confirm your agency complies with all personnel, equipment, and training standards. Visit: usla.org/guidelines
- Ensure your agency has departmental policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines for rescue craft operations ready to upload.
- Verify that your agency’s basic training course includes all required curriculum elements listed in the guideline.
- Confirm that each trainee has access to the most recent edition of Open Water Lifesaving – The United States Lifesaving Association Manual.
Important Notes:
- Red Asterisk * – Required fields must be completed before moving forward.
- Back Navigation – Do not use your browser’s back button. Use the Back button at the bottom of each page.
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- Printing – If you'd like a copy for your records, please print your application before clicking the submit button.
Fee – The application fee is $500. The USLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS (Federal Tax ID #23-7067234). Approved agencies are certified for a three-year period, provided they continue to meet or exceed the standards outlined in their application.

The Personal Rescue Watercraft Agency Certification Program is reviewed on an ongoing basis by the USLA Board of Directors. Requirements may be updated periodically to reflect evolving standards in professional open water lifesaving.

If you have questions, please contact:
USLA Executive Director – ed@usla.org
National Certification Committee Chair – certification@usla.org
Phone: (866) 367-8752
Choose the description that best describes your agency:*
Enter the official name of applying agency:*
Title and Name of Agency Director:*
Agency Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Agency Director's Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Agency Director's E-mail*
Agency Website (Website will be linked to your agency name on USLA.org):
Agency Permanent/Year-round E-mail (if any)
Agency Director's Off-Season Email

Confirmation Email
Agency Director's Off-Season Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Name of person completing this form:*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number of person completing this form:*

Area CodePhone Number
E-mail Address of person completing this form:*

Confirmation Email

Personal Rescue Watercraft Agency Certification
Personal Rescue Watercraft Lead Instructor(s):

The following are standards for instructors of personal rescue watercraft training programs. These are the standards for lead instructors. This does not preclude the use of assistants, field training officers, or others who do not meet these standards. Personal Watercraft Rescue Instructors are directly responsible for ensuring that standards are met and that all training modules are taught by persons with proper credentials.
Prerequisite Qualifications
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires by policy that PRWC Lead instructors must have worked a minimum cumulative total of 2,000 hours of employment compiled in no fewer than five seasons as a seasonal open water lifeguard or a full time open water lifeguard at a lifeguard agency which meets the standards of the USLA.
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires that PRWC Lead instructors must possess a high school diploma or equivalency certification.
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires that PRWC Lead instructors must have at least 1,500 hours experience assigned as a Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator at a lifeguard agency certified by the United States Lifesaving Association.
Standards to be Met and Maintained
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires that PRWC Lead instructors must be currently employed by a USLA certified lifeguard agency and meet all required standards for open water rescuers.
Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewperson (PRWCC)

A Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewperson (PRWCC) is an integral component of any Personal Watercraft Rescue Unit and qualification as a PRWC is required prior to acting as a Personal Watercraft Rescue Operator (PRWCO). The primary function of the PRWCC is to retrieve victims, load them onto the rescue sled, and to provide them immediate basic life support and care. A PRWCC should be thoroughly familiar with all basic and intermediate functions of day-to-day maintenance and operations of the rescue craft.
Prerequisite Qualifications
Minimum age required for Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewperson trainees (PRWCC) ?*
Note: A minimum age of 16 is required for USLA Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewperson
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires that all Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewperson (PRWCC) trainees must have successfully completed a course in open water lifesaving provided by an agency certified by the United States Lifesaving Association.
Training
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires all Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewpersons to successfully complete a course consisting of a total of not less than four (4) hours in a course which meets the curriculum requirements of the United States Lifesaving Association for Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewperson.
Standards to be Met and Maintained
Click to verify*

I verify that our Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewpersons must be currently employed by our agency and meet all required USLA standards for open water rescuers.

Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator (PRWCO)

A Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator (PRWCO) is a rescuer appointed the responsibility of operating and supervising an agency’s assigned rescue craft unit for the purpose of regular patrol and rescue operations. A PRWCO oversees, maintains, and is responsible for the rescue craft unit, including the rescue vehicle, trailer, and rescue craft. After successfully meeting all standards and obtaining a PRWCO certification, the PRWCO must successfully meet all annual requirements set forth by the USLA for open water rescuers as well as any and all annual requirements set by the employing agency to maintain PRWCO status.
Prerequisite Qualifications
Minimum age required for all Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator (PRWCO) ?*
Note: A minimum age of 18 is required for USLA Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires that all Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator (PRWCO) trainees must have successfully completed a course in open water lifesaving provided by an agency certified by the United States Lifesaving Association.
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires all Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator trainees to have 1,500 hours experience assigned as a rescuer at a USLA certified agency. (In cases where a PRWCO moves from the agency where the initial training took place to another, I understand that it shall be the obligation and discretion of the new agency to ensure thorough familiarity in local agency operations with regard to PRWCO as well as familiarization and knowledge of local areas prior to assignment as a PRWCO.)
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires all PRWCO trainees to first successful complete a USLA certified course for Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewperson and to meet all requirements for PRWCC.
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires all PRWCO trainees to successful complete a course in Boating Skills and Seamanship (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary), or State or Federal approved equivalent.
Upload the Boating Skills and Seamanship course (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary), or State or Federal approved equivalent course(s) your agency requires for all your PRWCO trainees.*

Browse Files

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Training
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires all Personal Rescue Watercraft Operators to be certified as successfully completing a course consisting of a total of not less than thirty-six (36) hours in a course which meets the curriculum requirements of the United States Lifesaving Association for Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator.
Standards to be Met and Maintained
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires that all Personal Rescue Watercraft Operators must be currently employed by a USLA certified lifeguard agency and meet all required standards for open water rescuers.
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency requires all Personal Rescue Watercraft Operators must successfully complete twenty-four (24) hours of annual refresher training conducted by a Personal Rescue Watercraft Instructor as defined in this guideline.

Affidavit
Click to verify*

I hereby attest that the information contained in this form is true and correct, and that it accurately reflects the standards, requirements, and training procedures of this agency: (Both signatures are required for processing.) Use the mouse to write signature.
Print Name of Person Completing Form and Date*
Signature of Person Completing Form*

Clear
Print Name of Agency Director and Date*
Signature of Agency Director*

Clear
Conclusion
Payment Method*

I would like an invoice sent to our agency.I already paid by credit card.
Thank you for completing the USLA Personal Rescue Watercraft Agency Certification Application.

A confirmation email with a copy of your submission will be sent to the address you provided once you click Submit.
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United States Lifesaving Association

Personal Rescue Watercraft Agency Certification

Personal Rescue Watercraft Curriculum

Personal Rescue Watercraft Crewmember (PRWCC) Curriculum Checklist

Responsibilities and Operational Duties

Introduction to Personal Rescue Water Craft

Personal Protective Equipment

Sled Rigging

Rescue Craft Pick-Ups

Rider-Active Tandem and Sled Riding Techniques

Basic Life Support Techniques

Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator (PRWCO) Curriculum

Boating Rules and Regulations

Daily Post/Pre-Shift Maintenance and Dry/Wet Troubleshooting of Craft

Risk Management Practices for Routine and Emergency Operations

Launching and Recovering Craft

Precision Operating and Righting

Wave Judgment

Personal Rescue Watercraft Pick-Up

Search and Rescue Operations Utilizing a Personal Rescue Watercraft

Specialized Ancillary Rescue and Support Equipment

Aircraft Support

Certification Skills Testing

Conclusion