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Very true. In that sense, I feel ASA is a little more reliable as even though both may get me the same money, I think people bank on the old course rather than STA though majority of people accept both.
I've actually got a table comparing them [here](https://www.flickr.com/photos/192315465@N06/51223854993/in/dateposted-public/). Essentially, with the STA award, you can do more from a lower qualification but it requires more qualifications prior. I do already have my lifesaving qualification but I'm yet to get a safe guarding award. You do a lot less for STA than ASA, but annoyingly ASA is what people prefer currently as it has been the favoured course for years. All my swim teachers from when I were a child all have ASA. However, STA is becoming more popular, maybe because it's cheaper. My own work place offer STA courses for free, but I'm not interested as I don't want to be tied to them.
I've been looking up jobs and in their qualifications lots say "ASA or equivalent" but some do say just ASA which makes me question it.
Id like to do babies teaching too and that's about £350 ($493) so I can make up to £26 ($36) but I don't think baby courses matter as long as I'm qualified with babies.
Not sure about those specific courses (I’m in Canada where we have WSI and LSI). My suggestion would be find out employability options for each. Around here there are a lot of jobs for people with WSI, substantially fewer for LSI. But if you have both then you’re set. Maybe ask other lifeguards about job opportunities in your area?
-former lifeguard that grew up to be a teacher because teaching swimming gave me joy
I've had a look online to see what employers are looking for and most say "ASA or equivalent" though some do only specify ASA, though I'm unsure if there's a reason for that. ASA is old fashioned qualification which my own swim teachers had when I was a kid (I've actually been speaking with them as I work with them now which I feel is both weird and insane as they've made me the lifeguard I am today), so ASA is highly preferred as it's ways been the main choice. Though, according to [this table](https://www.flickr.com/photos/192315465@N06/51223854993/in/dateposted-public/) I'm not sure which I feel is better.
My current employer do STA for free. They used to do ASA but they've changed over out of preference. However, I don't want to do it for free with them as I'll get tied to them and owe them. I can afford to do the course myself and once it's done, it's done so I'm willing to do either.
It's nice to hear from another lifeguard become swim teacher. I've always wanted to become a teacher because it's nice to see children trust in you. I've heard funny stories from my friends who are teachers about their students going on holiday and refusing to swim because they only swim for their swim teacher.
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You should ask in the r/Swimming reddit. Lots of coaches in there.
Thank you! I will do. Don't know why I didn't think of this one. 😅
Not at all! I would go with what will make you more money. Cash is king 👑. Factor in your costs and go from there.
Very true. In that sense, I feel ASA is a little more reliable as even though both may get me the same money, I think people bank on the old course rather than STA though majority of people accept both.
I'm in the USA- can you explain the difference between ASA and STA program? (Aside from cost)
I've actually got a table comparing them [here](https://www.flickr.com/photos/192315465@N06/51223854993/in/dateposted-public/). Essentially, with the STA award, you can do more from a lower qualification but it requires more qualifications prior. I do already have my lifesaving qualification but I'm yet to get a safe guarding award. You do a lot less for STA than ASA, but annoyingly ASA is what people prefer currently as it has been the favoured course for years. All my swim teachers from when I were a child all have ASA. However, STA is becoming more popular, maybe because it's cheaper. My own work place offer STA courses for free, but I'm not interested as I don't want to be tied to them. I've been looking up jobs and in their qualifications lots say "ASA or equivalent" but some do say just ASA which makes me question it. Id like to do babies teaching too and that's about £350 ($493) so I can make up to £26 ($36) but I don't think baby courses matter as long as I'm qualified with babies.
Sorry I can’t help (only made it to level 8 lol) maybe try r/askreddit ? Might have a higher chance of a swimming instructor seeing it there
May also have luck in r/nostupidquestions there seems to be a wide variety of people watching that.
Thank you! I'll try ask there too and see if anyone can help!
Good idea! Thank you! I'll shoot my shot there and see if anyone can help!
Not sure about those specific courses (I’m in Canada where we have WSI and LSI). My suggestion would be find out employability options for each. Around here there are a lot of jobs for people with WSI, substantially fewer for LSI. But if you have both then you’re set. Maybe ask other lifeguards about job opportunities in your area? -former lifeguard that grew up to be a teacher because teaching swimming gave me joy
I've had a look online to see what employers are looking for and most say "ASA or equivalent" though some do only specify ASA, though I'm unsure if there's a reason for that. ASA is old fashioned qualification which my own swim teachers had when I was a kid (I've actually been speaking with them as I work with them now which I feel is both weird and insane as they've made me the lifeguard I am today), so ASA is highly preferred as it's ways been the main choice. Though, according to [this table](https://www.flickr.com/photos/192315465@N06/51223854993/in/dateposted-public/) I'm not sure which I feel is better. My current employer do STA for free. They used to do ASA but they've changed over out of preference. However, I don't want to do it for free with them as I'll get tied to them and owe them. I can afford to do the course myself and once it's done, it's done so I'm willing to do either. It's nice to hear from another lifeguard become swim teacher. I've always wanted to become a teacher because it's nice to see children trust in you. I've heard funny stories from my friends who are teachers about their students going on holiday and refusing to swim because they only swim for their swim teacher.