What is a lifeguard?

 

lifegurardLifeguards are an essential part of protecting the public in both beaches and recreational swimming pools around the world.  These trained and qualified individuals must have the obviously essential skill of being a strong swimmer but to also be trained in administration of lifesaving treatment should a swimmer get into trouble in the water and need resuscitation. It is often a popular choice for students to look for summer work on beaches as lifeguards and it soon becomes apparent to them that it is not an easy job to obtain or to maintain!

 

The main component of lifeguard’s duties is the prevention of in-water accidents as well as on land e.g. the beach. This prevention can involve warning of strong currents, rocks and being constantly aware of how the public around them are behaving and reacting to the environment. In observing the public in the water there are three categories and conditions that the lifeguard will be on watch for. The first are swimmers who are inactive in the water known as a passive drowning victim. The second is for swimmers who are showing difficulty in staying above water and usually exhibit the instinctive drowning response where their arms flail vertically but have no supporting kick. The third category is the distressed swimmer. This case usually involves someone who has become tired and knows they have gotten themselves into trouble. Any of these problems can occur at any times which means that a lifeguard must be constantly vigilant, physically and mentally fit and have strong communication skills in order to perform his duties.