Providing safe aquatic facilities.

In today's aquatic environment there are a variety of ways to perform rescues and provide safe aquatic facilities. National training agencies such as the American Red Cross, Ellis and Associates, the YMCA, and the Boy Scouts of America provide the necessary skills needed by lifeguards to perform a specific technique to make water rescues; however, some differences in the rescue philosophy of these agencies do exist. Examples of these differences include: The American Red Cross advocates the rear approach with all active-drowning victims; Ellis & Associates advocates the use of the Heimlich maneuver as the first step in protocol for a suspected drowning victim; and the YMCA continues to advocate the use of contact rescues and escapes as a part of its rescue protocol. Whatever the agency or certification, there are a variety of ways to reach the bottom line -- which, of course, is the prevention of accidents and the safety of our patrons in and around the water. Whatever training program you choose to use in your facility, it is up to you as an aquatic professional to take responsibility to ensure that your staff is given the best training possible.

Dr. Tom Griffiths, aquatics director and safety officer for Intercollegiate Athletics at Pennsylvania State University, wrote in a reply to an editorial feedback column in the November 1997 issue of Athletic Business magazine that "a lifeguard's certification card is his or her passport to a lifeguarding job, but on-site is where the real training should take place." In other words, facility management must take a proactive approach in training staff to the specifications of their facility. Managers of aquatic facilities need to enhance the basic training of lifeguard personnel with in-service training and stop depending on national training agencies to educate lifeguards for every possible situation.

Responsibility for being a good lifeguard should be both an individual commitment and a facility priority. As far as the individual commitment is concerned, the quality of training that a lifeguard retains is directly proportional to the amount of sincere effort that the individual applies to his or her training and continues to practice on the job. The basic rescue training advocated by each national training agency is competent and enables an individual to make a successful rescue. If the individual chooses not to take his or her training seriously or fails to follow the training procedures properly, it is a personal decision, and he or she may not be suited to be a lifeguard at a responsible aquatic facility. Since screening and pretesting of lifeguarding personnel is a reality in today's aquatic environment, the mechanism should be in place to allow facility managers to effectively recognize an individual with poor rescue skills applying for a job.

The honored tradition of hiring someone simply because he or she possesses an agency certification is no longer valid in our litigious society. In the case of poor rescue skills, you might want to look at his or her course instructors before you blame a national training agency. It does not take a competent facility manager long to know which local lifeguard instructors provide him with good candidates for lifeguard positions. Remember that a lifeguard certification, or in the case of Ellis Training, "licensing," from a national training agency only means that the individuals passed the required in-water skills test, a CPR competency requirement, and the necessary written exams at the end of a short training period.

Also, these authorizations are only valid for specific periods of time. The American Red Cross lifeguard certificate, for example, is valid for three years. However, the CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPRO) certification, which is a part of this lifeguard-training program, must be renewed annually. National training agencies do have a responsibility to provide a strong base for lifeguards, and it is the opinion of the authors that these agencies do a very competent job with lifeguard training. This, however, does not guarantee that the candidate will continue to possess the skills necessary to qualify as a good lifeguard. An individual must demonstrate competency in skills such as in-water rescues, CPR, and personal fitness prior to assuming the responsibility for participants' safety in a swimming environment.

It is facility management's responsibility to provide the right equipment and support in order for staff to provide a safe environment for all patrons. Basic equipment includes such things as rescue tubes, backboards with head immobilizers, emergency communication equipment (as simple as a telephone on site), and personal protective equipment for direct contact during CPR or other life-saving procedures.

As we said before, it is the facility management's responsibility to provide training specific to the facility. This training must be continuous throughout the process commonly referred to as in-service training. Some aquatic professionals use portions of the techniques and procedures from other agencies during their in-service training to simply enhance the rescue skills of their staff. If you think that your staff needs some personal water-safety skills, then you need to teach those skills as part of your in-service training. In-service training sessions must be held on a regular basis, and a variety of topics can be discussed during these sessions. Avoid limiting your meetings and training to water rescues. Items of discussion should include a review of your emergency action plan (EAP), customer-service policies and procedures, the practice of CPR, and first-aid skills. Be sure to provide some variety to your meeting agenda to reduce boredom.

The Bowling Green State University aquatic staff plans at least one in-service session a semester that involves some type of fun aquatic activity. The staff is divided into teams, and they compete against each other while performing these activities. The activities are based on lifeguarding skills, but they are made to be fun. Whatever the activity, it is crucial to facility safety that in-service training is provided for your staff. If someone on your staff wants to learn how to make rescues in other aquatic environments (swift water, surf rescues, or some type of unique open-water rescues), then send them to an agency that provides training in those special areas or bring in an expert to provide the training. Budget commitments must be made for the additional hours needed for in-service sessions. Responsibility for maintaining a highly trained and reliable lifeguard staff falls on the facility management, not on the agency that provided the basic training for lifeguards.

Regular "mock drills" to test lifeguard alertness and preparedness should also be a part of the facility's commitment to safety for its patrons. At the University of Southern Mississippi, "mock drills" are conducted by management showing up unannounced during a swimming period, such as recreational swim, and asking lifeguards to "rescue" a designated victim while putting the facility's full emergency action plan into effect. This allows the risk manager to evaluate the actions of all personnel involved in the "rescue scenario." Other directors within the department are used to help with the evaluation and to stop the drill at the appropriate time. The university police are always notified in advance as to when these drills will occur. They sometimes choose to participate to also test their officers' actions. This participation is welcomed and encouraged.

Audits In Place

Some national training agencies do have programs in place to provide audits for lifeguards in the workplace after training. This practice is an excellent follow-up to training and should be a mandatory part of any responsible facility manager's in-service training program. Lifeguard skill evaluations can easily be self-imposed, documented, and carried out in-house without the assistance of the training agencies.

It is also important to get your local Emergency Medical System (EMS) involved in your in-service training. An example is the situation at Bowling Green State University. While working with the local EMS system, an agreement has been reached that lifeguards will stabilize, board, secure, and extricate a suspected spinal-injury victim. This follows the protocol outlined by the American Red Cross. Once the EMS is on the scene, they will apply the cervical collar if the situation warrants its use. This allows both participants in the rescue system to do the part that each one does best.

It is the responsibility of the national training agencies to review, in a timely manner, the techniques for proper life-guarding procedures. The American Red Cross and YMCA programs are reviewed every five years, while Ellis and Associates reviews its rescue protocol annually. Other organizations, such as the World Water Park Association, are exploring the possibility of adopting a set of safety standards for the industry. These standards may include appropriate lifeguard equipment, a system to activate and carry out an emergency action plan, appropriate equipment to care for a suspected spinal injury, and the location and contents of an emergency response first-aid kit that would meet the latest Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for prevention of disease transmission. Other standards being discussed are training procedures for life-guard personnel, levels of CPR and first aid, types of identifiable attire for emergency personnel, requirements for facilities to have plans in place for ongoing in-service training, and programs to include staff alertness/response drills and performance evaluations.

Standards for responsible aquatic management may also be adopted by the industry to include Certified Pool Operator/Aquatic Facility Operator (CPO/ AFO) certification, instructor training and certification in CPR and first aid, lifeguard experience, and formal management training. It is also important that aquatic professionals help ensure that their state public swimming pool, spa, and special-use pool laws and bathing codes reflect the current standards for lifeguarding.

Working with your state regulatory agencies will help to guarantee that facilities used by the public are held to a higher standard. To do this, contact your state department of health or other appropriate agency and get information on how to make sure your facility meets these standards.

Former lifeguards and competitive swimmers, fitness instructors, youth swimming coaches, and water-safety instructors represent just a few of the groups interested in making a career out of their aquatic abilities. Colleges need aquatic directors; health clubs need aquatic fitness instructors; local communities need facility managers, swimming coaches, and water-safety instructors to teach a multilevel swimming program. Also, many resorts around the country are adding aquatic facilities to their elaborate plans for guests.

Tourist destinations are looking for ways to expand the availability of aquatic opportunities. These areas must have a safe environment to be successful, and it is the responsibility of facility management and professional lifeguards to live up to the highest standards to provide this safe environment.

In summary, if an individual wishes to work in the aquatic field, he or she must take responsibility for acquiring the necessary training. Lifeguard skills and aquatic-management skills are acquired through hard work and dedication. Facility-management personnel should also do what is necessary to remain current in the aquatic profession. They must attend national meetings and conferences, obtain the necessary certifications, stay current with changes in staff training programs, and be on the lookout for the best young professionals available to work in their facilities. When both lifeguards and aquatic management personnel live up to the high expectations of those patrons who use their facilities, then America will have the safest aquatic facilities in the world.