Lifeguards are responsible to oversee the waters, whether that's the ocean or a swimming pool. It is their duty to recognize an emergency as quickly as possible and when noticed, they need to know handle the situation. Lifeguards are also responsible to enforce all rules to maintain a safe and orderly waterfront.
Initial Requirements
The minimum requirements for all lifeguards is a full completion of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course or a course that is of equal quality. Lifeguards for open waters usually are required to complete additional training. Lifeguards must be certified in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Additional training is often given relative to where life guards will be working, such as open water swimming tests.
Lifeguard Training
In addition to the mandatory Red Cross course, First Aid and CPR certification, lifeguards are required to undergo additional training outlining various aspects of lifeguard procedures and handle any given situation when on duty. Some of the main lessons include the use of safety equipment and a review of water rescue and EMS skills, emergency communication procedures such as having the contact information of local fire, rescue and law enforcement departments and risk management such as identification of hazards and potential issues.
Supervision
Lifeguards should have a completely unobstructed view of the area they are watching. A few additional rules that should be taken into consideration for lifeguards are:
30-second rule: Survey one end of the area being covered to the other and back again in at least 30 seconds.
10/20 rule: A lifeguard has 10 seconds to determine if a situation requires intervention, and if so, they need to position themselves correctly to intervene within 20 seconds.
10-by-10 reaction rule: A lifeguard must survey their zone within 10 seconds to look for any hazards, and if necessary, intervene within 10 seconds.
Plan of the Recreational Water
Knowing the waters that lifeguards patrol is just as important as knowing what to do in a given situation. All lifeguard staff must have a plan of the recreational water. This plan should detail both the vantage and access points of the water, blind spots, potential hazards that need to be marked and positioning of emergency and rescue equipment. Having a detailed plan will enable a lifeguard to handle a situation as quickly and efficiently as possible when necessary.
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