Lifeguard: Before, During, After

Along with the above characteristics that are expected of a lifeguard, many actions must be taken before, during, and after work to ensure that they are in their top form.

Before (Trained/Rested/Food/No Drugs/Sunscreen/Hydrated/Etc.)

A. Training: Make sure you are trained properly, take training seriously, do not simply memorize procedures that you may forget in a day or a week, and learn the material and skillsets. Try and think of how things work physically, not just a bunch of numbers or steps so that you will always know what comes next and be ahead of the game when it matters the most. If you are ever filling in for an individual that may have a higher possession or have different duties than those that you are used to, make sure that you possess the skills necessary to complete these added duties.

B. Rest: It is recommended to have at least 8 hours of good sleep before starting any day. Lifeguards should meet or exceed even this amount due to the often physically demanding aspects of the job. Bedtime is not rest time, hours spent reading, watching TV, or lying awake in bed do not count. It is also key to make sure you are fully awake before starting the job. Quickly rolling out of bed minutes before you are supposed to go on duties or taking a quick nap in the car before work can create a groggy lifeguard, one who is not prepared to accurately perform their duties.

C. Nutrition: We have all heard that food is fuel and that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so let’s follow it. Balanced meals are important to the ongoing energy on the job. The food that you eat for breakfast is a main source of fuel for the rest of the day. Nutritious foods like almonds, bananas, low-sugar cereals, etc. are all good ways to start the day.

D. Drugs and Alcohol: These can greatly impair the judgment and motor skills of any individual.

E. Sunscreen: As a lifeguard, you are in charge of the protection of many individuals including yourself. One of the best ways to cut down on one of the most harmful intruders is by simply using sunscreen. Harmful UV and UVB rays can cause great damage over time to the body’s largest organ. The use of sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher at least 30 minutes before sun exposure is key to letting the lotion have enough time to adequately soak into the skin for proper protection. Key areas are the face, nose, and shoulders.

During (hydrated, sunscreen, alter, in-service)

A. Hydrated: It is key to keep your body not only nourished with the proper foods but also with hydration. A hot environment coupled with increased physical movement can cause disaster. Dehydration is just one of many factors that can greatly affect a lifeguard’s judgment and wellbeing, but it is something that is easily prevented. As fluids leave the body in the form of sweet perspiration, one must replace those fluids to avoid dehydration. Replacing fluids at least every 15 minutes with water or sports drinks is key. The use of soft drinks will only increase dehydration and shouldn’t be used to replace fluids. Lifeguards that are feeling the pains of a headache, dizziness, and drowsiness may need to seek attention to overcome the effects of prolonged dehydration.

B. Sunscreen on the job: Make sure to reapply sunscreen regularly at least every 80-90 minutes or after rigorous activity in the water.

C. Alert: Staying alert on the job is important. Surveillance of the pool area is often the most important job of a lifeguard. Constant breaks and rotations are keys to remaining alert. This will allow a lifeguard to have a change in motion and location as well as a period to refresh and stay alert.

After (Mental health/improvements/in-service training)

A. Maintain Proper Mental Health: It is important to prepare yourself for work and keep yourself alert while on the job at all times. Almost equally important is keeping your mental health in check after it’s all over. Fatigue and the demand for everyday work can often create high levels of stress. This coupled with traumatic events such as possible drowning and death that may have occurred can often create an imbalance in the mental health of many professionals. Lifeguards that experience higher than normal levels of stress or may need further assistance when dealing with traumatic incidents should contact their supervisors for help. It is most important to express your feelings before they get the better of you and create further damage.

B. In-Service Training: One of the best things a lifeguard can do to make sure they are performing their duties correctly is to be constantly learning and progressing. If a lifeguard’s skills are not practiced or used on a normal basis, much can be forgotten. It is important to be sharp so that you know you are ready for any emergency that may arrive. In-service training is often the best way to do this. Managers will organize practice exercises that lifeguards must perform with fellow guards to make sure everyone can work well together. This will also allow lifeguards to become familiar with specific aspects of their pool that may not have been addressed before since all pool areas are different.

C. Safety Checks: Equipment checks should be conducted throughout the day. This includes before opening, during the day, and also conducted as part of the daily closing routine. Whenever damaged or missing equipment is noticed, corrective action should be taken either by the lifeguard or by contacting a supervisor. It is never good to wait until the end of the day or even a few minutes to take corrective action because an injury could occur at any time. It is also important for a lifeguard to ask individuals that may have been injured how they became injured. A reply such as being cut by a jagged edge of the pool, or on a sharp piece of the fence can quickly alert the lifeguard to what needs to be fixed so that no additional individuals are injured from the same object.

D. Bringing your skills into everyday life: Lifeguards are equipped with the knowledge oflifesaving skills. They can carry these skills into everyday life from the home, school, and the workplace. Sometimes the most rewarding things come from helping someoneand possibly saving their life, expecting nothing in return.