Lifeguards must reinforce their skills to ensure patron safety, and the key is to make this repeat training more effective and more fun
BY RON OESTREICH AND KAREN ELY
|
Reinforcement of skills enhances reputations for safely run facilities, builds confidence within the lifeguards, leads to successful audits, builds teamwork within the entire staff, and allows the guards opportunity to showcase their talent in front of their peers. |
Lifeguard skill training and reinforcement of this
training are essential for a safe and efficient aquatic
operation. This statement raises several questions:
What skills should we reinforce? How often should
we reinforce skills? How can we make training more
interesting and fun for the lifeguards?
The Essential Lifeguard Skills
Lifeguard skill reinforcement should cover anything that the guard may need to use in a rescue situation, such as the following.
• Active and passive victim rescues are great for realistic reinforcement of basic rescue skills.
• Spinal injury management is excellent for team life-guarding, communication, and careful handling of victims.
• Scanning drills enhance the guard's ability to observe and react to potential situations.
• Conditioning can also be included, which keeps guards in shape for a potentially lengthy water rescue.
• Scenario-based rescues using all of these skills combined with the facility's emergency action plan, are also effective.
• The discipline that requires the most practice is CPR. Variations include 1-rescuer CPR on an adults children and infants, 2-rescuer CPR on all, and 3-rescuer CPR on all as well. Included into all of these rescues are conscious and unconscious choking, rescue breathing, CPR, and in some cases the use of oxygen, bag-valve masks, and even defibrillators. First aid should also be included which results in 20 to 25 different CPR-related skills to practice with each guard.
Train and Repeat, Train and Repeat, Train and Repeat
There are several opinions regarding how often guards should reinforce their skills. Lifeguards trained by Jeff Ellis and Associates are required to reinforce their skills through "in-service" training (on-site at the agency where they work) a minimum of four hours per month. American Red Cross trained lifeguards are also encouraged to reinforce skills for several hours each month. Some aquatic facilities do the minimum required but others increase hours based on facility size and attendance.
Skill reinforcement can be done whenever time permits. Some facilities such as the waterparks at Walt Disney World, in-service everyday prior to opening. Others in-service on the same day and time each week so that all guards can attend regardless of busy schedules. Others in-service every other week.
The rule of thumb is to schedule in-service trainings so your guards can practice skills and be confident in a rescue situation or a skill audit. Also, leave time at the end of the in-service to discuss the session, make changes, answer questions, and to praise your staff.
Are We Having Fun Yet?
With all of these training options, making skill
May/June 1999 /33
reinforcement interesting can be a challenge. Develop a routine for training and then change it to add some spice. Be creative with skills to keep guards interested and skill activities fun.
Not Your Ordinary Skill Training
For example, instead of the normal CPR practice, blindfold the rescuers. This will create good communication between rescuers and reinforce the importance of hand placement and vocal counting.
Conduct rescue contests between your guards such as "Speed Spinals." Guard teams are awarded points for proper spinal extrications while at the same time are being timed. The winning team does not have to tread water with the rest of the staff. Another fun way to train is to hold a "Guards Choice Day" in which the guards choose the practice schedule.
Combined Staff Training
Skill reinforcement can also be conducted with other facilities. In 1994 Buffalo Grove Park District and West Chicago Park District combined their staffs for an in-service/social event. In subsequent years, other agencies joined them and with the help of the Aquatic Division of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), "Combined Staff Training" events were scheduled throughout Chicagoland.
The idea behind the events are for all aquatic staff members to share in the training, learn how other facilities handle rescue situations but, most of all, intermingle with peers in similar situations. These events allow staff members to share stories, practice skills, learn together, play together, and develop relationships beyond aquatics.
In 1998, nine different sites hosted an after-hours Combined Staff Training event. Each host facility conducted a training with unique topics including customer service, team-building, risk management, and open water rescues. The training was followed by a fun activity and food for everyone.
The concept started small but has grown to include several dozen agencies and hundreds of aquatic staff members. Host sites for 1999 are already scheduled, and all agencies are invited to participate.
Lifeguard Games
Finally, there is no better way to combine a staff and show off the skills that have been reinforced all summer than by attending the 1999 IPRA State Lifeguard Games on August 7 at Des Plaines Park District's Mystic Waters Waterpark. This annual event has grown from the original 6 teams to more than 40 teams in seven short years. Teams of four guards, two male and two female, compete in events that are not only challenging but unique. Cold weather clothing swim races (swimmers wear sweatpants and sweatshirts in the water), blindfolded 3-rescuer CPR, scanning, and sand volleyball are just a sampling of the games.
Sponsors such as Evolution Marketing Group and Lake County Products help to provide T-shirts, dinner, awards, and giveaways to all participants. The cost per team is $60 and the start time is 6:00 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for guards to "show their stuff" and have a blast as well.
Reinforcement of skills is an important part of aquatics because it enhances reputations for safely run facilities, builds confidence within the lifeguards, leads to successful audits, builds teamwork within the entire staff, and allows the guards opportunity to showcase their talent in front of their peers. Reinforcement of lifeguard skills is a win-win situation for everyone involved and all it takes is some effort and creativity!
RON OESTREICH
is the Aquatic Manager for Bolingbrook Park District and the
Director of the IPRA Facility Management Section.
KAREN ELY
is the Aquatic Supervisor for Carol Stream Park District and an
Aquatic Division Coordinator.
For additional information about the IPRA Combined Staff Training or the State Lifeguard Games, call Karen Ely at 630.665.2311 and Jennifer Boys at 847.391 .5700.
34/ Illinois Parks and Recreation