A person or group that protects, watches over, restrains, or controls somebody or something.

To protect somebody or something against danger or loss by being vigilant and taking defensive measures. 

It still blows my mind when I see inattentive Lifeguards going about their work as if nothing could possibly go wrong. I mean, something happens in pools every day and yet a significant minority of Lifeguards don’t get it.

The cornerstone of Lifeguarding is and will always be prevention. Prevention has many elements one of being surveillance. If you’re not engaged in constant surveillance – always watching to the best of your ability – you’re going to miss something. Once an event has happened, it’s generally easy to detect; had the Lifeguard being paying closer attention, they may have noticed the event unfold or materialize before it became critical – that is what preventive Lifeguarding is all about. Some things happen so fast, such as a toddler bolting out of a change room, that an inattentive guard could miss everything.

Effective surveillance means being three things:

·      Alert

o   Quick to notice and respond to potential danger or problems

·      Vigilant

o   Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties

·      Attentive

o   Paying close attention 

Lifeguards can’t be alert, vigilant , or attentive if they are engaged in unnecessary distractions such as socializing, or trying to combine maintenance, and guarding.

What’s even more confounding is that research clearly shows that multitasking is at best inefficient and at worst dangerous for those occupations that require single focus. And yet, some guards defy this logic and claim they can handle multiple tasks while lifeguarding.  When the day comes when these unconvinced “multitasking” Lifeguards miss something while lifeguarding we can assume, by their own claims, that they chose to ignore an important critical signal. Explain that to an inquest.

Hey! Just guard the pool; it’s your job.

LP

·         Everyone knows what to do

·         There are no surprises

·         No rogue techniques

·         Everyone knows what the other rescuer is going to do and can anticipate the next step

·         With time, the rescues becomes very slick, fast, and smooth

·         If you run multiple sites, and a spare guard is working from another site – no problem, everyone is trained the same; orientation is minimal. Consistency is maintained.

·         Teaching and training is easier and can be delegated

·         Everyone teaches the same thing

·         Practising a set way is easier

·         One tends to master the skills sooner

·         Staff following in-house protocols, in good faith, are indemtified by the employer. 

To give an example, I was practising with the City of Winnipeg Lifeguard Instructor Team just a while ago. We decided to do a 3-Rescuer Non-Breathing Beavertail Deep-End Rescue. We stuck to the script. There was little communication other than what was necessary; everyone knew what to do. Forty-five seconds from the vice-grip-turn to the deck; we weren’t rushing. I remember in times before, it would have taken us around three minutes to accomplish that same rescue. The feeling of team spirit when you pull off a stellar group skill like that is beyond words. Even with a set approach to a rescue, decisions within the rescue still have to be made. It’s not choreography even though you may practise it like it is. Standardization is simply a common path; there will always be parameters so lifeguards can adapt to their conditions – you’re still making decisions. At least everyone is on the same path. 

I’m sold on standardization. I know it doesn’t apply to all aspects of the job, and for some people it may be perceived as stifling innovation. However, to decide which technique to use on a spinal during an actual rescue is impractical; this is not the time to experiment. If standardization, of certain rescue techniques, makes us better Lifeguards, and offers better service to our patrons, it’s the way to go.

By Lloyd Plueschow

Modern lifeguard training should focus on the rudiments of good lifeguarding. It makes no practical sense to introduce advanced skills like oral pharyngeal airways (OPAs), manual suction, and cervical collars, particularly if EMS is close at hand, when pool deck management and basic first aid skills are lacking. Lifeguards do need solid first aid skills, but not at the expense of basic scanning skills, rescue skills, and situational (sits) role responsibilities. 

Lifeguards do provide professional first aid

Lifeguards should be adept at the standard first aid (SFA) level. The difference here is that they are doing it at a professional level. The response should always remain within the scope of the job; lifeguards are not paramedics and paramedics are not lifeguards. At some point, a line of minimum basic care must be drawn. Consider as well, that changes are always coming – Auto Defibrillators are making their way into more and more public areas.  Lifeguards today have more in-depth first aid training than ambulance attendants (now called EMTs and Paramedics) did in the 1960s. There are some techniques lifeguards carry out that are not taught to the general public and are expected by EMS to be preformed by the lifeguards. These include:

·         In depth spinal cord injury management.

·         Basic skin closure techniques.

·         The ability to focus on a patient, and still respond to relevant external critical signals such as a two-way radio or other sources.

·         Oxygen equipment. 

Are advanced skills a waste of time?

No, but they should reflect what is needed and should be provided by the respective employer to address specific needs. The level of treatment provided would be in relation to the EMS response – the longer the expected wait, the greater the care provided; in most large communities, this is not an issue. NLS training should focus on the rudiments of professional lifeguarding, and be broad-based; the successful candidate would be able to gain employment in most aquatic environments. This training would include:

·         A thorough understanding of the job of a lifeguard.

·         Thorough applied understanding of scanning. This is what we do most of the time so let’s keep the training focused here. The job is prevention.

·         Well-entrenched rescue skills including spinals.

·         A comprehensive applied understanding of role guidelines on the handling of major emergencies, minor emergencies, and public relations.

·         This includes a clear application of “shift to cover” and back up.

·         The specific role and function of each guard in the emergency or situation and in general, and the ability to role shift in a logical manner.

·         Fitness. (Get your class to do one-rescuer CPR, for 5 minutes non-stop.)

·         In-depth Standard First Aid skills. These include:

·         Rock-solid Scene Assessment and Primary Assessment skills.

·         Minor wounds, bleeds, scrapes, minor bone and joint injuries, and burns should all be a no-brainer.

·         Total immersion in all modalities of CPR.

·         A good basic knowledge of typical medical emergencies.

·         Doing a proper SAMPLE interview.

·         Complete a thorough head to toe examination when appropriate.

·         Knowing when to do a “local examination” instead.

·         Confidently obtaining a set of vitals at regular intervals AND recording the clock time of each.

·         Detailed reporting skills. 

In a nutshell, let’s train Lifeguards to Lifeguard, and while we’re at it – make it fun.

Lifeguard Lloyd