A U D R E Y C O R C O R A N

V I S U A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

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LIFE GUARDING

INTRODUCTION

Lifeguarding isn’t just another job– it’s one that saves lives. One must go through various training, from CPR to First Aid, to be able to guard. At the YMCA, to be a guard isn’t just being there in case of an emergency, but also to be part of the community and to become friendly with other members and staff. Our job is to be there for others, in an emergency situation or if someone just wants to talk. Being friendly and responsible are a few of the important requirements of being a lifeguard. Lifeguarding gives back to the community but is also very rewarding, knowing that people trust you enough to put their lives in your hands.

KEEPING THE WATER SAFE

One of the

responsibilities

of a lifeguard

is to keep the

water’s

chemicals

balanced

and safe.

Periodically

throughout

the day,

lifeguards

check the ph

and chlorine

levels to

make sure it is

safe to swim.

HEAD COUNT

Another

responsibility

a guard must

do is keep

track

throughout

the day of

where

everyone is

by counting

whoever is in

the pool.

CLEAN AND ORGANIZED

Lifeguards must

also keep the

deck safe by

making sure all

equipment is

put away and

organized. This

is to make sure

no one will trip

but also so

members know

where the

equipment is

kept.

ALWAYS SCANNING One of the most

important

responsibilities

of a lifeguard is

scanning. A

lifeguard must

always have

his/her eyes on

the pool at all

times. There are

even certain

techniques to

scanning to

make sure the

lifeguard

doesn’t get

tired and to

make sure the

members are

safe.

THE ENFORCER

Lifeguards must

enforce the pool

rules to ensure

member safety.

Pool rules

include no

diving or running

on the pool

deck. “Be

preventive

rather than

reactive.”

RESCUE READY

Guards must

always be

prepared for

any situation.

This includes a

suit, guard

shirt, whistle,

guard tube,

and a mask in

case of an

emergency.

LIVING LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

In the main

pool at the

YMCA, there

is often lap

swimming.

Guards must

always follow

the schedule

and its

changes so

fixing and

changing the

lanes occur

often.

WATCHFUL EYE

Guards must

always be

attentive to the

members in the

pool. These

members lives

are put in the

guards hands

and so the

guards must

always be

watching the

pool and deck.

THUNDERSTORMS?

Guards must

also look out

for thunder-

storms in

order to

keep the

members

safe. It is the

YMCA’s

policy that

no members

are allowed

in the deck

area during

a storm for

their own

safety, as

well as the

guards.

GREETED WITH A SMILE

Lifeguards main

goal is to ensure

the safety of

swimmers but

also to be

friendly with

members and

staff. Members

want to come

to the Y to have

a fun while

exercising.

Lifeguards can

add to the

atmosphere by

greeting others

and being

personable.