Articles

Not Enough Lifeguards
Features Jefferey Spivey Features Jefferey Spivey

Not Enough Lifeguards

Throughout the last two years, many industries have struggled to recruit, hire, and retain workers. Aquatic departments haven’t been immune to these challenges, but unlike other employers, they faced a labor shortage before the pandemic.

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Lifeguard Bootcamp
Aquatics, Most Popular Terri Fisher and Jennifer Schmitt Aquatics, Most Popular Terri Fisher and Jennifer Schmitt

Lifeguard Bootcamp

“Tweet, tweet, tweet.” “Call 911.” “Grab me the backboard.” These are some of the sounds you’ll hear on the pool deck during the annual, preseason Lifeguard Bootcamp at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina.

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Lifeguarding Procedures
Aquatics Greg Schmidt Aquatics Greg Schmidt

Lifeguarding Procedures

Most of us as aquatic center managers have adopted one program or another to certify lifeguards. Whether it’s the Red Cross, YMCA, Ellis & Associates, Canadian, or other, we tend to stick with the procedures taught by the program we chose.

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Goosebump Moments
Columns Bill Plessinger Columns Bill Plessinger

Goosebump Moments

The monotony of these days is occasionally broken by outstanding moments. Some memories are personal. I can recall the exact spot on the road on which I was driving when I heard on the radio that a second plane had slammed into the World Trade Center, and that it was an attack, not an accident.

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Invest In Equipment And Training
Aquatics Guest User Aquatics Guest User

Invest In Equipment And Training

Thousands of families, including children and the elderly, visit municipal pools and water parks every year seeking a fun and relaxing experience. Although providing such an environment can be a challenge,

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Hey, Lifeguard, Look At Me!
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Hey, Lifeguard, Look At Me!

This past June, I paused to observe an energetic 5-year-old who was getting a lifeguard’s attention by yelling, “Hey, lifeguard, look at me!” As an aquatic manager, I’ve heard those five

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Raising The Bar
Aquatics Guest User Aquatics Guest User

Raising The Bar

In the world of aquatics, you are only as good as your team of lifeguards. Aquatic facilities across the nation have struggled to recruit lifeguards, and the city of Round Rock, Texas, was

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Take Time To Train
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Take Time To Train

In a lifeguard-certification course, participants learn the skills necessary to protect swimmers and provide emergency care when required. They learn a lot in a 25- or 30-hour course, but

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Safeguard Aquatic Facilities

By N. Jonas OhrbergThousands of families, including children and the elderly, visit municipal pools and water parks every year seeking a fun and relaxing experience. Although providing such an

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