Kiddie Knowledge

Since lifeguards have the responsibility to guard their aquatic patrons’ lives, it’s very important to know how to interact with swimmers while on the job. Children especially can be both the most fun and simultaneously the most frustrating to watch over. As a guard who’s worked at summer swim clubs and summer camps, a large portion of my patron interaction has been with kids.

While they do provide you with a lot of entertainment opportunities with their Marco Polo and diving board games, they are also most prone to becoming victims of drowning incidents. Since not all kids take swim lessons, it’s essential for you to keep an observant eye on them. I remain especially vigilant when kids are around the three- to four-foot deep water mark, as they can go from being able to touch the bottom with their feet to swimming too far into the deep end, in a matter of mere seconds.

Children often tend to be the swimmers you end up blowing your whistle at the most. In my opinion, some of the most common rules broken by kids are the ones most likely to pose a safety hazard to them. From running on the pool deck (though they may insist they were only skipping) to diving in shallow water, you should stress to children the importance of these rules and their purpose.

If your pool has discipline polices, for example having kids sit out of the pool for a set amount of time, do not hesitate to utilize them. Keep in mind you are a lifeguard—not a baby-sitter—and you should never feel shy about stressing the importance of safety and keeping an eye on their own kids to parents and guardians.

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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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