1. American Red Cross Lifeguarding
Ch. 1
The Professional Lifeguard

2. Purpose
To teach lifeguard candidates the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.
The course content and activities prepare lifeguard candidates to prevent drownings and injuries and to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.
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3. Characteristics of a Professional LG
Starts with training and certification.
You have to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared at all times.
Professional LG’s must be-
Knowledgeable and have appropriate skills
Reliable
Mature
Courteous and consistent
Positive
Professional
Healthy & fit
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4. The Professional
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5. Responsibilities of a LG
The primary responsibility of a professional lifeguard is to ensure patron safety and protect lives.
Preventing injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors.
Enforcing rules and regulations
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6. Responsibilities cont
Respond quickly to all emergencies
Administer first aid, CPR/AED
Communicating- when more help or equipment is needed
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7. Responsibilities cont.
Secondary responsibilities of a LG are the other tasks they are responsible for:
Secondary responsibilities must NEVER prevent the LG from meeting his/her primary responsibility.
Performing maintenance (pool chemistry, equipmt checks, vacuum and clean)
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8. Responsibilities cont.
Secondary responsibilities can include
Filling out required records and reports
Performing maintenance (pool chemistry, equipment checks, vacuum and clean)
Inspecting the facility daily and reporting any unsafe conditions to supervisor.
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9. Lifeguard Work Settings
Swimming pools-indoor, outdoor, enclosed
Multi-attraction-pools and play structures
Waterfronts-open-water areas:lakes, rivers, ponds and oceans.
Waterparks
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10. Decision Making Important component to lifeguarding
When and how to make a rescue
When and how to perform first aid or CPR
How to work with as a team
How to interact with patrons
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11. Decision Making
Decision making can be difficult, especially in an emergency…
F – Figure out the problem
I - Identify possible solutions
N – Name the pros & cons for each solution
D – Decide which solution is best
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12. Legal Considerations Duty to act Standard of care Negligence
Good Samaritan laws
Consent
Refusal of care
Abandonment
Confidentiality
Documentation
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13. Duty to Act
As a professional rescuer you have a duty to act at the scene of an emergency.
Scope of Practice-you may act in w/in what you you were trained for
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14. Negligence Failing to provide care
Providing care beyond your level of training
Providing inappropriate care
Failing to control or stop any behaviors that could result in further harm or injury
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15. Consent State your name
Tell the victim you are trained to help & what level
Ask the victim if you can help
Explain what you planned to do
Battery-touching a person without consent
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16. Refusal of Care Some injured or ill may refuse care
You must honor their wishes
A parent can refuse care for a minor
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17. Advanced Directives
Written instructions regarding medical treatment: DNRs, living wills.
Confidentiality- you may learn something about the victim that is private and confidential. Do not share this info, except with EMS personnel.
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18. The Lifeguard Team
Whenever another lifeguard is on duty with you, you are part of a lifeguard team.
The aquatic safety team is a network of people who prevent, prepare for, respond to and assist in an emergency at an aquatic facility.
All staff must practice the facility’s emergency action plans (EAPs)
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19. EAPs-Emergency Action Plans
Written procedures that guide the actions of LGs and other staff in emergencies.
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20. Facility Management and Professionalism
How does management support lifeguard professionalism?
By providing a policies and procedures manual
By conducting an orientation and regular in-service trainings
By providing opportunities for recognition and career development
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21. In-service Training Might address: Potential hazards of facility
Facility rules & regs
EAP’s
Surveillance and water rescue skills
CPR/AED, FA training
Physical conditioning
Facility operations
Records and reports
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