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• UTAH DEPARTIlfE!'Io' OFr: HEALTH

Sincerely,

6l~/)/~Ron Marsden

Program Manager

Environmental Sanitation Program

(a) Be trained and certified by the American Red Cross, Ellis and Associates, or an equivalentprogram as approved by the department in Standard Level First Aid, CPR for professionalrescuers, and Life Guarding

After careful analysis, we find that the training offered by NASCO is not equivalent to the Red Cross norEllis and Associates as the training teaches the use of abdominal thrusts during a drowning victimrescue, while the training accepted by rule does not recommend the use of abdominal thrusts. We findthat the evidence presented is not sufficient to make a change that deviates from national standards andtherefore does not meet the rule standard which requires equivalency.

Thank you for your Interest in becoming certified In Utah If you decide in the future to modify theNASCO training protocol to exclude the routine use of abdominal thrusts, we Will be happy to takeanother look at the application.

Thank you for your application for the Natrona: Aquatic Safety Company (NASCO) to become approvedby the State of Utah to certify lifeguards We have reviewed the application and unfortunately we cannotapprove NASCO's certification at thrs timeUtah rule R392-302 reads as follows: "A lifeguard must meet each of the following:

Mr Cole.

Bnan ColeSenior Operations ManagerThe National Aquatic Safety Company. LLC1506 Village Glen DriveRaleigh,NC 27612

December 3 2013

Spencer J. CO.T

I.teutenant Gn\trnor

Bureau of Epidemlolo~ensue CheslerBureau Direct.»

(iARY R HERBI.RTC;,.-.vemor

Disease Control and PreventionJennifer G Bro....n, JD. M5Division Director

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Utah Department of HulthW 1)11,id Pauon. Ph ()£'UCUII\·tVirector

State of Utah

December 10,2013 Ron Marsden Program Manager, Environmental Sanitation Program Utah Department of Health P.O. Box 142104 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2104

Mr. Marsden,

Thank you for your 12/3/13 letter regarding the National Aquatic Safety Company's [NASCO) 9/13/13 application to become approved by the State of Utah to certify lifeguards.

We understand that Utah rule R392-302 currently requires an equivalency to skills provided by the American Red Cross or Ellis and Associates and that NASCO's use of abdominal thrusts during a drowning victim rescue has been identified as a deviation from that standard.

The NASCO Lifeguard Textbook, Chapter 2-General Principles, contains instruction to "Adapt the Course to Your Facility." Under this concept, a facility may adapt the skills to the unique facility and its procedures. Some skills may not be taught or be employed if they run contradictory to state or local requirements.

In order to continue operation in Utah, NASCO directs the facilities in Utah using the NASCO program to no longer require the use of the abdominal thrusts as a means to initiate artificial respiration while doing an in- the- water rescue of an unconscious swimmer. See attached letter [dated 12/10/13) with protocol clarification to be distributed to NASCO instructor's and facility managers operating within the State of Utah.

With this modification in training protocol, NASCO respectively requests reconsideration of the National Aquatic Safety Company's Lifeguard Program application to become approved by the State of Utah to certify lifeguards. We look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of aquatic safety to the citizens of Utah. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards, ^ 6^ !&/<&€*£»

Eric "Chet"jfacobson Sr. VP & COO The National Aquatic Safety Company

NASCO The National Aquatic Safety Company Ll.C.

1002 Avc. 1,. Dickinson. Texas 77539 (281) 337-5628 Fax (281) 337-0043

Our Mission: To Reduce the Loss of Life Due to Drowning

Februarys 2014

NASCO Facilities and Instructors operating and teaching in the State of Utah:

In recent months, the National Aquatics Safety Company (NASCO) Program has been reviewed by the State of Utah's Aquatic Advisory Board. The Board has expressed concerns over the use of the abdominal thrusts as a means to initiate artificial respiration while doing an in-the-water rescue of an unconscious swimmer.

A cornerstone of the NASCO Lifeguard Program is adaptability. Located in the NASCO Lifeguard Textbook, Chapter 2-General Principles, there is instruction to "Adapt the Course to Your Facility." Under this concept, a facility may adapt the skills to the unique facility and its procedures. Some skills may not be taught or be employed if they run contradictory to state or local requirements.

In order to alleviate the concerns of the Board, NASCO is required to direct the facilities in Utah to no longer use ahdominal thrusts as a means to initiate artificial respiration while doing an in-the-water rescue of an unconscious swimmer, to not teach this skill in the lifeguard courses, and to not require mastery of this skill for certification.

NASCO recognizes that providing abdominal thrusts is a key skill that has proven beneficial in aquatic rescues in the past. However, NASCO's mission has always been to Reduce the Loss of Life due to Drowning. This mission would be significantly and adversely impacted if aquatic facilities were unable to use the NASCO program in the State of Utah.

The approval of the NASCO Aquatic Safety Program in Utah is contingent upon these conditions, and also requires that this letter be kept on file at each of your facilities for review by local health department personnel.

We appreciate your support of the NASCO program and look forward to continuing to provide the highest standards of aquatic safety in the State of Utah.

Regards,

CAM. 'c^/Cr yiC-a^/^Wr—

Eric "Cher Jacobson Sr. VP & COO

Cc: Ron Marsden, Program Manager, Environmental Sanitation Program Utah Department of Health

NASCO The National Aquatic Safety Company LLC.

1002 Ave. L, Dickinson, Texas 77539 (281) 337-5628 Fax (281)337-0043

Our Mission; To Reduce the Loss of Life Due to Drowning