Lifeguards at swimming pools, beaches, lakes, and other aquatic facilities must be trained to respond to injuries, potential drowning, and other medical emergencies. They must also maintain order and enforce safety rules, and may also be responsible for assisting and instructing customers on these rules. Lifeguard training focuses on water rescue techniques. Most employers also require lifeguards to learn CPR and first aid, which are part of lifeguard requirements courses approved by the United States Lifeguard Standards Commission.

Physical requirements

Anyone who turns 15 by completing a lifeguard training course could qualify for training if they demonstrate they can swim 50 yards (45.72 m) without stopping to be a lifeguard in shallow water or 300 yards (274.32 m) without stopping to be a lifeguard in deeper water. Very deep water training candidates must also swim 10 yards (9.14 m) with a 20-pound (9.07 kg) weight attached to their bodies, while shallow water lifeguard candidates may walk the distance while holding the same weight. The full 300 yard (274.32 m) swim event includes both breaststroke and front crawl and shallow diving. Lifeguard courses in coastal areas require non-stop swimming 550 yards (502.92 m), plus shallow water diving,



Water rescue training

Aquatic rescue training consists of instruction in methods for entering the water and rescuing a swimmer in trouble. These methods prevent damage to lifeguards as well as protect the person being rescued from further harm. Some of the methods lifeguards learn during their training are side entry, which is used to enter the water when a victim is in shallow or populated water near shore, front or rear rescue for victims who are they are drowning and the use of boards to pull out an injured swimmer.

Injury stabilization

Basic lifeguard training miami usa includes instruction in caring for neck and back injuries. These injuries must be supported before a victim can move, and techniques taught in an approved lifeguard training course include the use of a kickboard and head and chin supports for victims lying on their backs. and upside down. Deep water spinal stabilization techniques are included in deep water or waterfront lifeguard training courses.

First Aid and CPR

The first aid and CPR training that accompanies a lifeguard course consists of training lifeguards in one and two person CPR for adults and children, as well as learning how to use a cardiac defibrillator. Use of a breathing valve, application of splints and slings, and control of bleeding are also included in lifeguard first aid training. Once a lifeguard has completed a full course, she must demonstrate mastery of all the skills she has learned and then take written lifeguard tests before being certified as a lifeguard by the American Red Cross.

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