Emergency Action Procedure

When a lifeguard recognizes an emergency, it is not only his job to act, but to also signal to other lifeguards for assistance.

STEP 1: is when the lifeguard recognizes that there is an emergency. This most likely occurs through the use of one of the 5 senses. Most likely a lifeguard will visually recognize through sight that a victim needs assistance. Hearing a victim scream or cry out may also alert a lifeguard. The use of smell can also alert a lifeguard to the presence of a fire or gas leak. It is then up to the lifeguard to decide whether there is an emergency. Remember to take into account many aspects such as the facial features of the victim as well as body position to differentiate between simple horseplay and a true emergency.

STEP 2: Once the lifeguard determines that assistance is needed, they must then signal using a designated sign such as three short whistle blows. This signal will alert the other members of the lifeguard team that assistance is needed. Each individual that is part of the lifeguard team should start to prepare their specific tasks to backup and assist such as taking over the post of the primary lifeguard, clearing all other individuals from the pool and calling 911.

STEP 3: The lifeguard will then approach the victim to assist whether it is on land or in the water. Lifeguards should try and secure the victim and keep them calm but indicating who they are and reassuring them if they are conscious. Once the victim has been secured and brought to safety proper first aid and CPR procedures should be taken if needed. The use of breathing barriers and gloves should be used if needed.

STEP 4: Follow-up interviews and accident reports should be filled out no matter the severity of the emergency. This is important because in many cases, information for hospitals, lawyers, or families may be collected months down the road. Written reports will help individuals remember exactly what happened instead of relying solely on memory. All equipment used during the rescue should be assessed to make sure they have not been damaged and used supplies should be replaced. Just as the equipment is checked for damage, lifeguards should assess not only their physical condition but also their mental state whenever an emergency has occurred.

STEP 5: Learn from what happened. All aspects of the rescue from start to finish should be examined so that any problems that may have occurred may be corrected so that things only go as smoothly as possible. All individuals of the lifeguard team should share their input in this process to make sure all areas were covered as efficiently as possible.