Articles
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.
Responding To An Opioid Overdose
In the event of a medical emergency, who is the best person to respond? We’ve all watched the scenes from medical dramas—first responders rushing to the scene of an emergency with flashing lights and blaring sirens.
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.
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.
Safe Water
An essential factor in the safe operation of any pool is clean, crystal-clear water. This becomes increasingly important when one begins to consider wave-pool design and operation.
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.
Pooling Resources
Hiring, training, and retaining a quality lifeguard staff presents many challenges. Managers depend on the lifeguards to keep the pools safe, the public happy and the facilities clean. While safety
Elevator Advice
As I write this, summer is looming. Planning is underway. Is there water in the pool? Check. Chlorine? Check. Cash registers installed? Check. Lifeguards hired? Oops! Couldn’t check off that box? Couldn’t get
Think Ahead
As waterparks and spraygrounds continue to grow in popularity across the country, it is important to consider the inherent risks associated with these attractions. As such, owners and operators have
Aquatic Safety Audits
How many times have you visited a swimming pool, water park, or beachfront and noticed the lifeguards on duty? What about their appearance made you realize they were there protecting the guests? Was
The Value Of Four Minutes
Four minutes. Under most circumstances, four minutes is unimportant and forgettable. The time it takes to gas up your car. To pay the monthly bills online. To order a sweater on Amazon. At other times it can feel
Parents, Watch Your Children At The Beach
What do some parents see when they think about a lifeguard? A kid sitting in a big chair working on a tan? Someone trying to boss swimmers around just to prevent them from having fun? And then there are the
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
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
For Safety's Sake
Ask any water-park operator about the park’s top priority, and hopefully he or she will say guest safety. Danger is inherent anytime millions of gallons of water are mixed with thousands
The Competitive Edge
Many people in the industry who have been around the pool more than a few laps have developed strategies that are counter to many of their peers. The ideas are not necessarily
On The Lookout For Lifeguards
Compared to other seasonal hiring practices in the parks and recreation industry, lifeguard recruitment can be one of the most challenging.
Lifeguard Competition
Do you have what it takes to make a splash in the lifeguarding business?If you are in Connecticut, put your skills to the test in the 2011 Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association Lifeguard
Everything H2O Q&A
Q: What kind of caulking are peopleusing in their pool to seal the expansionjoints on the floors as well as the walls?A: We are presently using Seka Flex 1aand Seka Flex 1sl. This seems to be