Water sports hold dangers for everyone, experienced and inexperienced swimmers alike. Lifeguards rescue approximately 100,000 people annually in the United States, but still about nine people drown every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some of these deaths have occurred with lifeguards or swimming instructors present, including the following:
An 18-year-old high school student died while trying to hold his breath under water. Prolonged underwater breath-holding is a very dangerous practice that can lead to underwater blackout (also called shallow water blackout), inhalation of water, cardiac arrest, brain damage, and death.
Institutions can help reduce the risks of accidents by focusing on lifeguard training and supervision and by using new technology and other advancements in lifeguard safety.
Guarding Is a Life-and-Death Responsibility
A lifeguard’s responsibilities cannot be underestimated. If a lifeguard spots a struggling swimmer within a few seconds, the guard is likely to prevent a drowning. Speed is essential because seconds can mean the difference between life and death. The longer a swimmer is submerged, the greater the chance that he or she will suffer permanent brain damage. However, lifeguards who are distracted, inattentive, poorly trained, or involved in other duties may react too slowly.
The Challenge to Be Alert
The primary responsibility facing lifeguards is to be alert to what is happening in the water so they can prevent accidents. However, noise, heat, stress, fatigue, monotony, and other environmental factors at pools make it difficult for them to stay emotionally, physically, and psychologically vigilant.
Swimming pools are usually busy facilities with a lot of socializing and action. Lifeguards may become distracted and shift their focus from the activity in the water to their friends or other goings-on outside the pool. They may also become bored from the uneventful hours of watching, and boredom easily leads to inattention.
Heat, too, can present difficulties. It may drain them physically so they tire and lose concentration. The sun may also cause glare on the water, which makes it hard for lifeguards to see the bottom.
Even if a lifeguard is alert, he or she may not be aware of what is occurring in all areas of the pool simultaneously. Yet that awareness is what may be necessary to save a life.
Guards may have only 10 seconds to detect someone in trouble and 20 seconds to provide assistance, according to Ellis and Associates, a lifeguard training organization. The estimated response time, known as the “10/20 Patron Protection Rule,” is based on the premise that a swimmer may drown in as little as 30 seconds. If a young child is struggling, lifeguards may have to work with even greater speed. A youngster may drown in as few as 20 seconds, according to research by Frank Pia, an aquatics safety consultant. Swimmers practicing underwater breath-holding present special problems because they may not appear to be in trouble, even after they’ve lost consciousness.
A study of lifeguard vigilance by Ellis and Associates shows how difficult it is to make a speedy rescue. In more than 500 tests in 2001, the firm found that it took an average of 74 seconds for lifeguards to respond to a life-sized manikin at the bottom of the pool. Although many lifeguards appeared to be scanning the area, they were concentrating on the surface of the water only.
Advice
Institutions can take a variety of steps to ensure lifeguards remain on guard at all times. Perhaps the most important is to have enough guards for the people in the pool. The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) recommends that collegiate institutions have at least two lifeguards on duty at all times. Their reasoning could apply to other pools as well. The additional person provides more comprehensive surveillance during routine periods and, should someone get in trouble, enables one lifeguard to manage the accident while the other monitors swimmers. If it is not possible to have two lifeguards, NIRSA advises institutions to consider providing CPR and first aid training to an office employee, facility supervisor, or other staff member.
Consider implementing the following additional steps:
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While a lifeguard is on guard, limit his or her responsibilities to surveillance. Any other responsibility, including checking in patrons, giving lessons, or cleaning up, may distract the person just when someone in the water needs help.
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Instruct lifeguards to head count every five minutes to remind them to keep their eyes on their zone of coverage.
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Give lifeguards frequent breaks. The American Red Cross recommends a 15-minute break every hour. However, never reduce the number of guards on duty. If two lifeguards are on duty and one of them takes a break, bring on a replacement instead of decreasing the number. Otherwise, the lifeguard left at the pool may not be able to respond effectively in an emergency.
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Encourage lifeguards to request breaks if they become tired. Don’t risk having a lifeguard fall asleep on the job.
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Direct lifeguards to exchange seats after their breaks. A change in scenery and people helps keep them alert.
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Lifeguards should splash water on their face frequently to help stay cool.
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Because posture plays an important role in staying alert, be sure lifeguards find a comfortable sitting position. Encourage them to sit upright in a chair with feet planted on the floor. That posture forces them to look attentively at the water.
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Post accident reporting boards in the lifeguard office. On them show where accidents most commonly occur so lifeguards will pay special attention to those danger spots.
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Prohibit swimmers from practicing endurance breath-holding in your facility.
For more information on pool safety, please contact the RCM&D Risk Control Department.
This article is a modified version of the full article that was originally published by United Educators, appearing in their newsletter “Safety Dispatch”. United Educators Risk Management Department wishes to thank Lee Yarger, Aquatics Coordinator at Ball State University, for his assistance.
