Outdoor vs. Indoor Guarding

As a lifeguard with experience in both indoor and outdoor environments, I can relate to guards who’ve been in both situations. Besides the fact that no SPF is required at an indoor pool, there are definitely significant differences between the two. Lifeguarding techniques will certainly vary, depending on where your chair is located.

For those who enjoy getting their tan on while working, guarding at an outdoor pool is more than a day at the beach. Pools and beaches are just as different as indoor and outdoor places. Bodies of open water require knowledge of aquatic life, wave size, tide times, etc. and often require a certification beyond a typical lifeguarding one. Whether you’re on the sand on poolside, however, sunscreen is a must—even on overcast days. Attire will differ, for example, a windbreaker, sunglasses, or visor may help depending on the weather. As Mother Nature is unpredictable, outdoor lifeguards may lose shifts during inclement weather and should also be familiar on emergency procedures (like how to clear the pool in case of thunder and lightning).

If your place of employment lies within a Recreation Center or YMCA, than you know that there’s fun outside of the sun. It’s important to always dress for the weather you’ll be guarding in, not the weather outside and you may have to bring your bathing suit to work to change there (especially if there’s snow on the ground!). Although all aquatic environments can pose a slippery risk to people on deck, it’s often more of a possibility at indoor locations, as the water takes longer to dry and decks are often made of slick tile.

But no matter where you guard, our mission is still the same: To protect the lives and wellbeing of swimmers, whether pool or beach, outside or inside.

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Tips on Staying Attentive

Fall asleep on the job and someone’s life can potentially be lost. The cornerstone of lifeguarding truly lies within staying alert and ready for action at any time. However, it can understandably be difficult to sit or stand alone in one place for an extended period of time, especially under a hot sun or in a humid indoor environment. Therefore, here are some tips on staying bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

-Never underestimate the power of sleep: It’s going to be hard to keep your eyes open if you didn’t receive enough shut eye. When you know you’re going to working a long shift the next day, make an effort to get to bed early the night before.

-Eat before work: When it’s difficult to hear your own whistle over the roar of your stomach because you’re hungry, you’re not going to be on your A-Game. Always be sure to go into work well fed (although not so you’re uncomfortable), so your focus can be on the swimmers and away from your appetite.

-Count swimmers: At some pools, it’s required to know how many people are under your watch at any given time. Whether or not you’re obliged to, it’s still a great technique to not only keep your eyes on the water, but also to know if one of your swimmers becomes submerged.

- Avoid socializing on duty: Sure, it’s perfectly acceptable to talk to a patron who is unsure of a rule or to administer first aid. But guards should refrain from holding long conversations with anyone if they are responsible for watching the pool at that time. Tell your friends you’ll talk to them on your break.

These are just a few tips on staying attentive. If you have any advice of your own for lifeguards, feel free to comment!

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The Legalities of Lifeguarding

It may not be a commonly discussed aspect of the job, but it certainly is one of the most important. All lifeguards should be aware of the rights and responsibilities associated with guarding. As a paid and certified position, lifeguards are expected to deliver a certain level and standard of care to their patrons. Failure to do so can result in suits brought against the company you are working for or you even you yourself. The standard of care expected would fall under how any logical person would behave in the given situation.

Lifeguards have an added responsibility of performing medical assistance and can be sued if they fail to properly execute care, given that they are certified. Malfeasance is the term associated with misconduct causing harm by a person in an authoritative position (i.e. lifeguards). Failing to notice a distressed swimmer would fall under negligence, also punishable by the law.

According to Lifesaving Resources Inc. and based upon the review of several lifeguarding court cases, there are six common elements associated with aquatic injuries and drowning where guards are on duty. They are as follows: personnel, prevention strategies, distracting factors, recognition, response and emergency care, and legal implications.

A common misconception of lifeguards is that they are protected under “Good Samaritan Laws;” however, in most states this is not the case. Because the purpose of a guard is to protect swimmers, he or she can be held liable if there is a lack of care (similar to how doctors and firefighters can be prosecuted). So always make sure your certifications are up-to-date and don’t get caught snoozing in the chair!

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Want to Guard in the Aquatic World?

To tweak a well-known saying: With lifeguarding comes great responsibility. Just as the surface of the water may look deceiving, so too can the job of a guard. There is a false stereotype out there framing lifeguarding as an easy job for lazy teens looking to get their tan on. Not only have many guards graduated from their teen years, but many others work at indoor pools where the sun certainly doesn’t shine. Addressing the most significant assumption, lifeguarding is not a job for the idle.

In order to become a lifeguard, certain qualifications must be met. Though it may vary from one location to the next, most lifeguarding certification classes require participants to be at least 15 years of age (although a junior lifeguarding certificate can be obtained for those as young as 14) and you must be physically fit (the standard is being able to swim 300 meters). To give you an idea of the commitment involved, the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Class requires anywhere from 30-37 hours and is valid for three years.

In addition to possessing a lifeguarding certification, successful completion of classes in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and First Aid will likely be the minimum requirements. Other possible certifications include AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and WSI (Water Safety Instructor). Specialized certifications could also be involved, for instance if you wanted to guard at an open water location or at a water park.

If you are a responsible and observant individual who would like to find certification classes in your area, your best bet is to contact your local branch of the Red Cross, YMCAs, Recreation Centers, and the like!

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Lifeguards in Action

Oklahoma City's KOCO Channel 5 news reports on a lifeguard who saved a drowning girl's life. James Booth completed this save by rescuing a young swimmer, after he recognized the signs of a seizure.

It was his first save in four years of guarding--an important reminder that it only takes one rescue to save a life.

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Welcome

Welcome to my blog! This is a site dedicated to sharing all aspects of a lifeguard’s life. Lifeguarding can definitely be a lifestyle all its own. It is more than merely a job which pays the bills (well, maybe at least one bill). From the Red Cross certified to the YMCA, from those who get their tan on while guarding to those who guard indoors while snow falls outside, lifeguards are undoubtedly more than the stereotypical, Baywatch images of babes in red suits jogging in slow motion down the beach line.

Lifeguards must be medically-minded individuals, fully prepared to utilize their first aid skills to those darn kids, who refuse to listen to our whistle blows and shouts not to run and end up falling and skinning their knees. Or how about knowing the proper way to give CPR to the elderly gentleman, who spent too much time in the hot tub? Few jobs outside of the hospital environment require the medical certification guarding does. A vigilant attention span is also essential, as prevention is everything in maintaining a safe environment for swimmers.

In the event of an unfortunate accident, correct technique in making water saves can literally become the difference between life and death. As first responders during emergencies, lifeguards need to know the legal implications involved. But lifeguarding can certainly be fun—guards enjoy a unique sense of authority over the aquatic environment, often resulting in strong bonds to their fellow guards. And don’t forget about the fact that bathing suits and flip flops are appropriate work attire. This blog will most certainly address all components of this job…happy guarding!

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