Managing Risk Through Staff: Creating A Culture of Safety By Changing

Lifeguard Behavior

Don’t let new, bored or unsure staff jeopardize safety at your pool. Challenge you lifeguards through high expectations following proactive

recruitment, training and orientation.

Rick GreenwoodMetro Risk Management and Aquatic DirectorGreater Wichita YMCA

Introduction

Safety is our # 1 goal always

Allowing our patrons to enjoy, exercise and learn in the aquatic environment is our intention

The risk that this environment presents is inherent but can be managed

As managers and experienced aquatic professionals, we all know what to look for when

scanning our zone of responsibility

Difficulty of the Job

We know:•It is not like seen of TV•Victim is not splashing , waving or calling for help•Victims are hard to see•Drowning s are quick and silent

Difficulty of the Job

New Guards Need To Understand:•How important vigilance is to their performance•How to scan effectively•What to look for . . . . See what they need to see•What are their priorities

Difficulty of the Job

•Recruit the best applicants for the lifeguard position

•Train these candidates thoroughly and responsibly

•Check the basic skills of any applicant that comes our way

•Orientate every new guard to our facility with specific on site procedures and practices

Our Job as Manager

•Establish clear and definite performance guidelines for guards

•Conduct ongoing training with periodic staff meetings and in-services

•Communicate consistent assessment of guards behavior and performance

•Ensure guards know specifics concerning any Special Events, Features and Groups

•Develop these guards by continually coaching them towards peak performance

Our Job as Managers

• Attract and recruit the best lifeguard candidates

•Candidates that are: Reliable, Mature, Courteous, Alert, Well Groomed, Positive and Professional

•Guards of good character with leadership skills

Lifeguard Recruitment

•We are looking for guards who are ready to respond and assist when needed

•Going out and looking for these candidates is an effective, proactive endeavor

•Current staff recommendations and recruitment of quality candidates is a positive option

Lifeguard Recruitment

Training . . . . .

the next step in developing excellent guards

Lifeguard Training

•Lifeguard training course should be challenging and engaging

•Course work and instructor should be demanding of the student

•Candidates should be interested and inquisitive about the material

•Set stage for a knowledgeable, dynamic and engaged guard

•The guard will understand their role and responsibilities

Lifeguard Training

At the beginning of the hiring process, candidate skills should be assessed

Let candidates know that these skills are important and will be assessed throughout their employment

Pre-employment Skills Check

Skills to be assessed are: •200/500 yard swim•Passive and active surface rescues•Submerged victim rescue•Water entries and victim removal•Backboarding

Pre-employment Skills Check

Employee orientation always involves HR issues such as: •Emergency procedures and contact numbers•Workman's compensation procedures•Equipment and supplies•Facility organization and floor plan•Employee harassment policy•Payroll and compensation•Dress code

Employment Orientation

Orientation is an important step in the staff training process

This should include: – Policy and enforcement– Customer service– Schedule familiarization– Special groups and events guidelines– Professionalism and conduct

Employee Orientation

Staff have a lot of information thrown at them all at one time!

Don’t let Expectations take a back seat to Processes and Procedures

Have a form to document the pre-skills and any immediate coaching for each candidate

Employee Orientation

Who sets your staff expectations?• American Red Cross• YMCA• Ellis and Assoc.…….or another entity such as: • Insurance company• City offices• Your own personal expertise –

Expectations need to be clearly set, communicated and accounted for

Lifeguarding Guidelines

Procedure: Guard will be identifiable with staff shirt, whistle, and rescue tube in hand.

Practice: Usually has staff shirt on, but is really hot or shirt got wet today.

Practice: Guards have been holding tube vertically between their knees because….

Lifeguarding Guidelines

Procedure: Guard will scan their entire zone of responsibility every 10 seconds.

Practice: Guard is looking out from their stand across the water but not moving their head.

Lifeguarding Guidelines

• Procedure: Guard will change position every 5 minutes – sitting to standing

to roaming

• Practice: Guard finds a comfortable position sitting or leaning for duration of

shift

Lifeguarding Guidelines

In-service training: – Essential for guards skills, retention, and documentation there of

– Regularly scheduled and attendance required

– Opportunity for coaching staff skills

– Practice team work and team building

– Opportunity for staff recognition and improving staff morale

– Tool for staff buy in of program and facility procedures

On Going Staff Training

Between regular in-services, lifeguard assessments should be conducted

– On-going and frequent– Post results – Follow-up coaching

Performance Assessment

Common assessment tools:• Red cap drill• Red ball drill• Lifeguard quick check• Silhouette drill• Manikin drop drill• Live audits etc…..

Performance Assessment

What are you looking for as a supervisor?

• General Scanning of Population• Identification of Individual or Situation• Scanning a Specific Location• Response of EAP, Rescue or CPR skills• Communication or Teamwork

Performance Assessment

On what do your guards need the most work?

• Scanning• Communication• Response• Rescue Skills• CPR Skills• Teamwork

Performance Assessment

What is going to minimize the most risk for your facility?

• Consider a combination of drills– Do not confuse priorities– Every drill has a specific purpose– Support your overall goals

• Set clear expectations of successful drill performance

Performance Assessment

All drills and assessments have beneficial applications

• Lifeguard Quick Check – Readiness and Professionalism

• Manikin Drop Drill – Recognition, Response, Rescue & CPR skills

• Silhouette Drill – Scanning and Response

• Live Audits – Recognition, Response, Rescue, Teamwork & Communication

Performance Assessment

As important as the orientation and on site training is for each of your facilities

Every feature has unique and specialized requirements for supervision, response, rescue

and communication

Guarding Special Features

Give as much attention to these differences as you do on your facility as a whole

Guarding Special Features

Practice and check off these skills with your staff as you would do the skills that you include in

your in services for your whole pool

Guarding Special Features

Safety is our # 1 goal always

Allowing our patrons to enjoy, exercise and learn in the aquatic environment is our intention

The risk that this environment presents is inherent but can be managed

In Review

Our guards can benefit from a challenging, motivating, and character building experience

with our helpOur guards can be and integral part of our managing the risk if we give them the tools,

support and the expectations to do so.

In Review

THANK YOU!