Lifeguard

Roles and responsibilities

A Lifeguard is a trained professional responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals at swimming pools, beaches, waterparks, lakes, or other aquatic environments. Their primary duty is to prevent accidents and drowning by monitoring the water and responding quickly to emergencies. In addition to rescue operations, lifeguards are also responsible for enforcing safety rules, performing first aid and CPR, and sometimes assisting with general facility maintenance.

Key Skills for a Lifeguard

1. Swimming Skills

• Strong Swimming Ability: Lifeguards must be proficient swimmers with a high level of physical fitness, able to perform strong, controlled strokes and endurance swimming to rescue individuals in distress.
• Diverse Stroke Techniques: Knowledge of various swimming strokes (e.g., freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke) to effectively navigate through the water and assist swimmers.

2. Water Rescue Techniques

• Rescue Skills: The ability to quickly and safely rescue individuals in distress using appropriate techniques, such as reaching assists (using poles, ropes, or flotation devices), wading, or performing water-based rescues.
• Spinal Injury Management: Recognizing signs of spinal injuries and using safe rescue techniques to prevent further harm, including stabilizing the person’s neck and back during a rescue.

3. First Aid and CPR

• Basic First Aid: Knowledge of first aid practices to address minor injuries such as cuts, bruises, or abrasions, and to stabilize injured individuals until medical help arrives.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Proficiency in performing CPR on individuals who are not breathing or whose heart has stopped, including using an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.
• Advanced Life Support (ALS): Some lifeguards may be trained in more advanced life-saving techniques such as administering oxygen or advanced airway management.

4. Observational and Surveillance Skills

• Constant Vigilance: Maintaining a watchful eye on swimmers and guests at all times, scanning the water for signs of trouble, such as struggling swimmers, dangerous behavior, or potential hazards.
• Anticipating Risks: Recognizing situations that may lead to accidents or emergencies (e.g., overcrowded areas, swimmers going beyond their limits) and taking preventative action.
• Attention to Detail: Keeping track of the number of swimmers and ensuring that all are following safety rules, including watching for subtle signs of distress that others might overlook.

5. Communication Skills

• Clear and Calm Communication: The ability to give clear instructions to swimmers and visitors, whether it’s enforcing safety rules, warning swimmers of potential risks, or directing others during an emergency situation.
• Team Coordination: Lifeguards often work as part of a team, so effective communication with other lifeguards and emergency responders is essential during rescues or evacuations.
• Public Announcements: Comfortably using a public address (PA) system to communicate safety information or issues to a large group.

6. Emergency Response and Decision Making

• Quick Decision-Making: The ability to make fast, decisive actions in an emergency, such as initiating a rescue, administering first aid, or evacuating swimmers from the water.
• Calm Under Pressure: Remaining calm and composed in high-pressure situations, especially during rescues or when dealing with distressed swimmers or crowds.
• Incident Documentation: Keeping accurate records of accidents, rescues, and any first aid administered, in case follow-up care is needed or for reporting purposes.

Desired candidate profile

• Supervises swimming activities at the pool facility and ensures that policies, guidelines, and safety procedures are followed.
• Ensures the guests in the pool are do not do any improper and dangerous activities and enforces pool regulations and water safety policies.
• Administers first aid in the event of injury, rescues swimmers in distress or danger of drowning, and administers CPR and/or artificial respiration, if necessary.
• Evaluates conditions for safety and initiates emergency action plan as required.
• Inspects pool facilities, equipment, and water to ensure that they are safe and usable.
• Supervises and assists in cleaning the pool and related facilities and equipment, assists with chlorine residual water tests and with records and charts of water tests and records of accidents, and adds chemicals to pool water as directed.
  
  

Requirements of a Lifeguard:

• Experience in leisure and fitness
• Ability to adapt to changing service environments
• Pro-active with a hands-on approach
• Passion for the hospitality industry
• Ability to manage work ensuring that tasks assigned are delivered
• Ability to find creative solutions, offering recommendations
• Personal integrity, with the ability to work in an environment that demands excellence
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Good IT skills
• Ability to work collaboratively at all levels within the department
• An open and positive personality
• Ability to handle challenging priorities and assignments