Effective Lifeguard Surveillance & Emergency Protocols

Lifeguard Surveillance: Core Principles

Monitoring is the task that occupies most of a lifeguard's time. Throughout their shift, many minutes are spent near the water, with the rescuer alert to any eventuality that may require intervention. When establishing a monitoring system, it must adhere to several key aspects to ensure maximum effectiveness:

• Number of lifeguards
• Location of the lifeguard station
• Static or dynamic monitoring
• Strategies for area control
• Surveillance shifts

Lifeguard Staffing: Determining Optimal Numbers

Lifeguard numbers should be determined based on:

• Configuration and size of the swimming area to cover (e.g., number of pools, their layout)
• Number of users
• Available equipment (e.g., high chairs, first aid stations)
• Activities taking place in the swimming area (e.g., slides, wave pools)

Pool Lifeguard Recommendations

For example, in conventional, rectangular pools, the recommended number of lifeguards is:

• 20-25 meters x 8.5-10 meters: 1-2 lifeguards
• 25 meters x 12.5 meters: 2 rescuers
• 33.3 meters x 12.5 meters: 2-3 lifeguards
• 50 meters x 25 meters: 2-3 lifeguards

Beach Lifeguard & Rescue Station Guidelines

For beaches, it is recommended to have a rescue station at least every 200 meters, staffed by one lifeguard. In addition, the following personnel are essential:

• A Beach Head or coordinator with expertise in aquatic rescue, similar to a lifeguard
• Two rescuers per boat, with at least one holding a skipper's license
• A lifeguard stationed at the First Aid post to support medical personnel
• A two-rescuer patrol for every 400-500 meters of beach

Emergency Plans: Incident Response Protocols

Emergency Plans define the intervention procedures a responder will follow during an accident or threatening situation. An Emergency Plan aims to organize what, when, where, and how to act effectively in unexpected situations.

The plan must cover everything from minor incidents (e.g., first aid for minor injuries, lost children) to serious or life-threatening situations (e.g., heart attacks, drowning incidents, violence).

Action Sequence for Accidents in Emergency Plans

In general, the sequence to follow is:

• The responder identifies the problem (directly or indirectly).
• Notifies relevant parties (e.g., peers, medical personnel, third parties) and initiates action.
• Provides support to the primary lifeguard (e.g., another rescuer entering the water, a rescuer covering the bathing area, medical personnel moving to the scene, notification to other emergency teams, assistance from bystanders).
• Stabilization of the situation: The situation is brought back under control, returning to its pre-accident state.
• Evaluates the emergency and provides relief or rest (if necessary and possible).

In addition to accidents, other situations requiring the deployment of an Emergency Plan include: adverse weather conditions (e.g., thunderstorms, heavy rain), criminal acts, fires, riots, toxic gas leaks, structural failures, and more.