History

1974

• NASCO founded in Athens, Georgia.
• Advanced lifesaving course offered for lifeguards.
• Facility inspections first started in flat water community.

1977

• NASCO moved to College Station, Texas.

1978

• NASCO moved to Dickinson, Texas-its present home.

1983

• Waterpark service began with facility inspections, advanced lifeguard course and rescue techniques for guards developed.
• One of the original aquatic consultants for Six Flags.

1985

• Top Gun course – leadership and advanced lifeguard course introduced and taught at various waterparks throughout North America.
• Neoprene sleeve developed for rescue tubes.
• Silhouette dolls developed and introduced.
• Lifeguard performance inspection procedure developed and introduced at various waterparks throughout North America.
• Litigation support for aquatic facilities.
• Risk Management techniques from work in aerospace industry introduced.

1987

• River rescue course introduced for first responders.
• Canoeing Program developed.
• Author of The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) syllabus on canoeing.

1988

• Rising water course introduced for first responders.
• Recipient of National Award from the Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics.
• Recognized as Master Instructor by The Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
• Consultant to the Houston Fire Department on Aquatic Training.

1989

• Chairman of the Lifeguarding committee of the Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics.
• Board Member of the Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics.
• Top Gun for Hard Rides introduced.

1990

• Member of the US Coast Guard National Advisory Committee on small boat handling.

1992

• Hard ride operation inspection procedure introduced.

1993

• Introduction of the abdominal maneuver into aquatic rescue.

1995

• Recipient of Kelly Olgle Memorial Safety Award from the World Waterpark Association.

1997

• Began work with Texas Municipal League, an intergovernmental risk pool , with facility inspections and lifeguard training.

1999

• First basic level certification offered for lifeguards:  Waterpark Attendant, Shallow Lifeguard, Basic Lifeguard and Deep Lifeguard.
• Lifeguard Textbook placed on website.
• Hosted first annual National Aquatic Safety School.

2000

• Recipient of a second Kelly Olgle Memorial Safety Award from the World Waterpark Association.

2001

• Water Sentry Course for water based hard rides introduced.

2002

• Inducted into the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame.
• Junior Lifeguard program introduced.

2003

• Integrated Risk Management for Aquatic Facilities (IRMA) introduced.
• Ride Operator Certification (ROC) Course introduced into the hard rides community.

2004

• Client list tops 60 different organizations.
• The number of facilities reached with NASCO programs and services exceeds 150 different facilities including some of the largest waterparks in the country.

2008

• Client list tops 73 different organizations.

2009

• NASCO celebrates it’s 35th year anniversary.