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When You Are Lifeguarding:
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Taking Care of Your Pool:
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Take proper care of you.
When lifeguarding, protect yourself from overexposure to the sun, drink plenty of water, wear sunglasses, and change posture/position per your training. On your time, get the proper amount of sleep, exercise consistently and maintain a healthy diet free from drugs/alcohol.
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Chemical Guidelines
Read caution labels on chemicals. Understand the hazards involved, and take the necessary precautions. Adequate ventilation is a primary concern. Never mix chemicals. Protect the environment from spills and chemical discharges. If the pool is cloudy, close and call.
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Scanning your zone of protection.
When one or more patrons are in the water, you must be in the guard chair conducting vigilant patron surveillance. 10/20 Rule at all times. Conduct a proper Lifeguard Rotation.
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Maintain your swimming pool.
Keep it clean and organized. Avoid slips and falls, wipe up spilled fluids immediately. Keep walkways clear of debris, pool cleaning tools (poles) and materials.
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Be Identifiable
Wear proper life guarding attire to work to be clearly identifiable. Proper attire also includes your name badge and safety hip pack.
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Testing Your Pool
Consistently test and adjust water chemistry, adhering to state and local jurisdictions as trained. Monitor flow rates for proper operation.
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Emergency Action Plans
Know how call EMS at your facility, the location of the pool, and proper location and proper use of all safety equipment and Emergency Action Procedures.
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Unsafe Conditions
Correct or immediately report any unsafe conditions or practices to your supervisor. Keep the poles away from live power lines, report power lines that are close to the pool.
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In-Service Hours
Take advantage of safety training when available. Maintain in-service hours. Understand and maintain a test ready position for all training, including Lifeguard Training, CPR, First-Aid and Vigilance Awareness Training (V.A.T)
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Improving Safety
When you have an idea on how to improve the safety environment, make that suggestion to your supervisor. It's all of our responsibility to provide the safest environment. When in doubt, close and call.
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Gate Control
Maintain proper procedural gate control as discussed with supervisor or property representative.
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Protect Yourself from Hazards
Wear protective equipment (goggles, gloves, CPR mask, etc.) as required, for your own protection.
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Opening & Closing
Double-check your fences and gates at the beginning and end of each day. A drowning can happen after pools close due to unlocked gates, windows or loose fencing. Report any unsafe conditions immediately to the office.
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Broken Glass
Check your pool at the beginning of the day, for glass at the bottom of the pool or on the deck. If you find any, close and call. DO NOT LET ANYONE IN THE POOL.
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Attitude toward Safety
Talk to your patrons about the rules and why they are important to follow. When they see that you care, they will have a better understanding as to "why?" The pool will then become safer for all of the people using the facility.
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Bathroom Cleanliness
Prevent the spread of disease by checking your bathrooms. Make sure there are supplies; soap, toilet paper, paper towels, no trash on the floor. Be sure that all the toilets/fixtures are also kept working, flushed and clean.
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