In most cases, a whistle is used in the recreational installation of the pool (public and private), the following signals are used by some lifeguards with a whistle (note: it is always important to remember that each facility may have its own standards and procedures for its whistle protocol). In many water sports facilities, their lifeguards receive additional training for the duration of their certification. [15] The nature and frequency of this additional training depends on the aquatic facility and the certification body the aquatic facility takes. For example, a beach facility may practice beach rescue and search and rescue scenarios, in which an indoor pool whose lifeguards are responsible for the entire building can practice scenarios that simulate emergency situations in different parts of the building. [16] These on-the-job trainings are intended to serve as a practice to maintain and develop the skills taught during the certification process. [16] Examples of this training include First Aid, CPR and AED competency assessments and Aquatic Emergency Action Plan exercises. [17] The main task of rescuers is to monitor their area of responsibility. To do this, the lifeguard needs an optimal position to observe the public. This is often best achieved from an elevated position, which can be a chair, a platform or the roof of a vehicle. This allows them maximum visibility into their monitored area and can facilitate communication between them and their team. There are three certification bodies for lifeguard qualifications in the UK: Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC), the Swimming Teachers Association[47] and the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS). [48] The organisations` qualifications are STA Level 2 Award for Pool Lifeguard / STA Professional Award for Pool Lifeguard (title in Scotland), HABC Level 2 Award in Pool Lifeguarding (QCF) and National Pool Lifeguard Qualification.
The National Lifeguard Pool qualification is administered by the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards (IQL)[49] on behalf of the HSLN. The RNLI is the largest operator of lifeguard units in the UK, patrolling over 230 operational beaches on the coast of England and Wales,[52] helping around 7,000 people each year. [53] In Portugal, the rescue service is coordinated by the Portuguese Institute of Lifeguards (ISN). Under the technical guidance of ISN, several organizations provide lifeguard services on Portugal`s maritime and river beaches. Companies that have a concession to explore a beach are required to hire a lifeguard service to be provided in the respective concession area. For beaches that are not allowed, the commissioning and provision of lifeguards is usually carried out by local communities. The ISN is responsible for setting standards for lifeguard training, equipment and uniforms. In the event of an active emergency, rescuers must act and ask permission to provide care in any situation. Ill or injured individuals can give informed consent to care.
A person who does not respond, is confused, seriously injured or ill (such as in a non-fatal drowning) may not be able to give consent. In these cases, the law presumes that the victim would give consent if they were able to do so. This is called implied consent and also applies to a minor victim whose parent or guardian is not present. [4] In most countries, lifeguards use similar flag signs to signal their presence, certain areas, and potential dangers to swimmers:[23] Lifeguards patrol many different types of waters, and each type has its own characteristics, tasks, and challenges. Places where lifeguards can be found include: Lifeguards may have other secondary tasks such as cleaning, filing documents, checking a pool`s chlorine and pH levels, or as a general information point. It is important that rescuers never let their secondary responsibilities interfere with their primary duties. [4] In Italy, lifeguards are certified by the Italian Swimming Federation[38], the National Lifesaving Society[39] and the Italian Aquatics Rescue Association. [40] The diploma of the Italian Swimming Federation is recognized abroad by the ILS member country, while the National Lifesaving Society is an active and internationally recognized member by the International Federation of Maritime Rescue. [41] There are differences between pool, lake and lake diplomas.
The Italian Red Cross also has a special service called OPSA[42] (Multipurpose Nautical Rescue Operators), which performs some lifeguard functions in some regions of Italy. Lifeguards in Italy are not organized in a single service: each site has its own lifeguards, depending on licenses, dangers and requests. Public beaches are not monitored by an organization, but each municipality uses independent lifeguards during the summer or at certain events when public funds can cover costs. On some beaches where hotels or other structures have licenses, there is an obligation to have lifeguards paid by the structure itself. Ongoing training is necessary to maintain the skills and knowledge of rescuers. Formal competitions have evolved to promote education, but also as a social activity. In Australia, the annual surf lifesaving competition at Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast is the largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics with tens of thousands of lifeguards. Lifeguard competitions include physical and technical (medical) tests. Technical events are sophisticated accident simulations in which safety officers are checked for compliance with standards of treatment. These events are controversial among some rescuers because of their subjectivity.
Purely physical competitions have become more popular recently, often with various combinations of running, swimming, paddling, and skiing surfing. Most lifeguard competitions involve an Ironman event that combines three different physical activities. In Germany, there are three major organizations that train people in swimming, lifesaving and maintain lifeguard services on public beaches, lakes, etc. All three are primarily based on volunteer work. The DLRG (Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft) is the largest water rescue organization in the world with more than 1,000,000 members and sponsors. [34] The Wasserwacht is a department of the German Red Cross. In third place is the water rescue service of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland. Firefighters will also maintain lifeguards on rivers, coasts and lakes. In India, the longest coastline occupied by lifeguards is Goa`s coastline, which stretches for 105 km.
Drishti Marine holds government contracts with a panel of 710 professionally trained lifeguards in Goa and Mumbai. They have 5000+ rescues since operations began in 2008. Rescuers are trained by the Special Rescue Training Academy (SRTA) and recruited as the government`s first response for emergency services such as flood relief. Goa rescuers are also being trained to rescue stranded marine mammals as part of Ocean Watch, a collaboration between Drishti Marine, Terra Conscious, the Goa Forest Department and IUCN India. They regularly intervene with turtles and dolphins trapped in ghost nets. In Denmark, lifeguards are divided into two main groups. Beach lifeguards, which are set up on a voluntary basis by the beach managers (in most cases the municipality). There are three main lifeguard providers, one of which is heavily sponsored: TrygFonden Kystlivredning[32], which is supported by TrygFonden (Danish foundation), while Den Nordsjællandske Kystlivredningstjeneste[33] is sponsored by the North Zealand Coast Councils. In Copenhagen, there is the Team Bade lifeguard service, which is operated by the city of Copenhagen. All public pools (commercial and governmental) are required to “provide a safe environment” and therefore lifeguards.
Unlike lifeguards on the beach, they must pass a state-approved test as well as an annual physical exam and first aid test. In Australia, lifeguards differ from surf lifeguards. Lifeguards are paid employees who patrol beaches, lakes and swimming pools/water sports facilities. Beach lifeguards are usually employed by local government agencies and patrol the beach year-round. Surf Lifesavers is a large volunteer organization that patrols the beaches on weekends and holidays during the warmer months (usually mid-September to the end of April) and also organizes public trainings for children, tongs as well as competitions such as the surf carnival or winter swimming events. Belgium has a coastline with a length of 68 kilometers (42 miles). The coast is urbanized practically along its entire length and is visited by thousands of tourists every year.