ACA Certification & Standards Flashcards
6 cards from real ACA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ACA Certification & Standards flashcards as text
What does the ACA's 'duty of care' require of a certified paddling instructor?
Answer: Instructors must act with the competence expected of a reasonable professional, taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to participants
ACA instructors have a legal and ethical duty of care requiring them to meet a professional standard of conduct and take reasonable precautions to protect participants from foreseeable risks.
What is an ACA 'Instructor Workshop,' and why should certified instructors attend them?
Answer: Professional development events that update instructors on curriculum changes, safety developments, and new teaching methods
ACA Instructor Workshops provide professional development opportunities that keep instructors current with evolving standards, teaching approaches, and safety practices.
What is the ACA's stance on instructor liability waivers for adult participants?
Answer: Waivers can reduce but not eliminate liability, and instructors should still meet their duty of care regardless
While liability waivers can offer some legal protection, they do not eliminate the duty of care, and gross negligence typically voids waiver protections.
How does the ACA define 'negligence' in the context of an instructor's on-water decision?
Answer: Failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably competent instructor would exercise in the same situation
Negligence is defined as deviation from the standard of reasonable professional care — what a similarly trained instructor would have done under the same circumstances.
What is the ACA's approach to 'adaptive paddling' for individuals with disabilities?
Answer: ACA offers specialized adaptive paddling instructor training and curricula to make paddlesports accessible to all
The ACA is committed to inclusion and offers adaptive paddling instructor training with specialized curricula, equipment modifications, and risk management strategies for participants with disabilities.
What is required for an ACA instructor's certification to remain in 'good standing'?
Answer: Maintaining current First Aid/CPR, completing renewal requirements every 3 years, and adhering to ACA standards of conduct
Good standing requires current First Aid/CPR certification, completing renewal requirements within the 3-year cycle, and maintaining compliance with ACA's Code of Ethics and standards.