Work begins on lifeguarding standards.

The American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA and the U.S. Lifesaving Association announced Jan. 4 their plan to establish minimum guidelines for lifeguards in controlled environments.

The three organizations have pooled their resources as experts in lifeguarding, water safety and aquatic education to review scientific research and grading of the evidence to develop the first national lifeguarding guidelines, containing minimum standards and a research agenda on lifeguarding. The group has worked on an informal basis since 2003, exploring standards for lifeguard training and vigilance.

"Developing the nation's first guidelines developed purely from scientific research and analysis will have a tremendous effect on lifeguarding and water safety, and will improve the public's confidence in lifeguards," said Dr. David Markenson, chair, Red Cross Advisory Council on First Aid and Safety. "Much like the 2005 National Guidelines for First Aid and CPR we've been hearing so much about, they will become a standard for aquatic education and water safety."

For more information, visit the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.