Tips

In the realm of water safety, lifeguards play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of swimmers. Among them, the head lifeguard is a beacon of expertise and leadership. The following interview with Esther Schreiber Zeigler provides valuable insights into the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of this vital role. From ensuring safety and managing a team to responding to emergencies, head lifeguards play a crucial role in maintaining water safety. Esther’s unwavering dedication, extensive knowledge, and commitment to saving lives make her a true hero in our community. Let us acknowledge and appreciate the immense value she brings to our swimming environments and the lives she protects.

 

1. Can you tell us about your experience as a lifeguard and how long you have been in this role?

 

I am currently the Aquatics Director at Camp David, where we provide swim lessons for children up to 3rd grade, and I manage a staff of 15 lifeguards for a total of 9 pools.  Outside of camp, I give private swim lessons and provide lifeguards for private pool parties.  These two positions are very different.  At camp, we are checked by the township, State, and Board of Health which requires specific safety measures in order to operate.  When sending lifeguards to a private pool, it is simply a certified lifeguard visiting a homeowner’s pool.

 

2. What certifications and training do you possess that make you qualified for the position of head lifeguard?

 

I have been a lifeguard for 26 years.  I am certified through the Red Cross as a lifeguard and a lifeguard manager - both of which need to be renewed every two years. I am also a Certified Pool Operator (CPO), which is required by the state and Board of Health to run a recreational pool and must be renewed every three years.  All certifications are online courses you take; however, the lifeguard course has an additional in-person training exam.

 

3. What are a head lifeguard's most important responsibilities and duties?

 

It is my responsibility to ensure each pool and surrounding area is safe for any swimmers as well as monitor the lifeguards' duties at all times.  I am responsible for building a staff of qualified and certified lifeguards and properly training them to work at the camp. I must ensure that the lifeguards are watching and have as few distractions as possible, in addition to providing them with the tools to fulfill their jobs with the least complications.  I am responsible for all the safety measures inside the pool area and ensure we follow the regulations to run our facility.

 

 

4. How do you ensure the safety of both the swimmers and your lifeguard team?

 

I am responsible for the safety of each swimmer who enters the pool area and the lifeguards' work environment.  Each lifeguard is equipped with a lifeguard bathing suit, whistle, fanny pack with first aid supplies, and a lifesaver on the deck.  They sit in an upright chair under an umbrella to avoid the sun's glare.  I always try to have an additional lifeguard, called a “roamer,” to walk around and see if any lifeguards or swimmers need additional assistance.  Lifeguards should have a break every hour or assistance during their shift.   I remind all guards, not only new, to be alert and scan the water at all times.  We do not sit for long periods of time as being active keeps us alert.   No obstructions, no cell phones, no distractions.  We never leave the decks unattended; children are not allowed on the pool decks or in the pool area if no lifeguards are present.  All of these measures are listed and taught in the lifeguard manager course and the CPO course, which gives you specific guidelines to follow per state for your pool.

 

5. Can you describe a situation where you had to handle a difficult or emergency situation as a lifeguard? How did you handle it?

 

The most common lifeguard emergencies are when there is a child bobbing up and down in the water in which they clearly are having trouble swimming, or they may not have realized they were in a deep pool.  At this point, I will enter the pool and retrieve them out quickly, assuring them they are ok.  Thankfully I have never had to rescue a fully submerged swimmer.  If I ever made a rescue in all my years, it was in the initial second of the swimmer having trouble.  I have never had to administer CPR.  Cuts and bruises often happen, and I always keep the swimmer out of the pool to see the extent of the bleeding since water stops blood.  There have been times when we have had cuts needing stitches, and that’s why it is best to have someone sit out of the pool for a few minutes to properly assess how bad their cut is.

 

6. How do you stay updated with the latest lifeguarding techniques, protocols, and safety procedures?

 

All my certifications must be renewed every two years, so if there is ever anything new, it is included in the training.  For example, when the CPR or choking protocol changes, you are updated through the training.  In terms of equipment for on-site pools and water quality, I look up the state codes on a yearly basis or am notified by the township or Board of Health if certain measures are added in order to operate legally.

 

7. What steps do you take to maintain a positive and cohesive team environment among lifeguards?

 

When running a staff of lifeguards at a summer camp, I need to ensure everyone is qualified and happy in their work environment.  I look for responsible and alert lifeguards who are reliable and eager to learn.  The guards must be open to working amongst others as well as interacting with children in a positive yet assertive manner.

 

8. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within your lifeguard team?

 

In order to avoid conflict within my team, I make sure all the lifeguards know they are equally responsible for all the duties at the workplace.  Unless specifically assigned a task by me, they are to work together at all times to ensure the environment is safe and know they are to help each other if they see otherwise.  If someone is unhappy, I encourage them to speak up so that I can resolve the situation.  We never want something to distract us emotionally while we are in charge of people's lives.

 

9. Can you explain your approach to training and mentoring new lifeguards?

 

New lifeguards who join our team are paired with senior guards.  They shadow them on the pool decks and are never left alone until I see they are fit.  They must be assertive and attentive.  They must constantly be vocal with the swimmers, alert them of any rules they are breaking, and prevent any dangerous situations.  As soon as I see they are fit to guard on their own, I watch from a close distance and monitor them for the remainder of the summer.  If you have a new guard visiting your home, I suggest you do the same.  The training of the Red Cross is a series of online tests as well as practice drills in a pool, there is no actual lifeguarding done to give the new guards experience.  I always recommend new lifeguards train at a facility before they visit a private pool.  If they do not have that option, I recommend they work with another guard for a few shifts before going on their own. 

 

10. How do you handle and enforce pool rules and regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all swimmers?

 

Before our swimmers enter the pool area, we have an orientation with the campers, where we go over all the rules.  Naturally, swimmers are reminded about rules on a daily basis, and we do not tolerate any modifications.  When rules are broken, people get hurt.  Lifeguarding is about preventing any emergencies.

 

11. What measures do you take to prevent accidents and injuries in and around the pool area?

 

Being in and around the pool area, everything is taken very seriously.  We do not allow shoes or bags on the pool decks so as not to trip or slip.  There is no diving since we have shallow pools.  There are no flips or twists to avoid scrapes or bumping into walls.  There are no throwing campers in or going on each other's shoulders.  We remind our swimmers not to touch each other while swimming and hold onto anyone while swimming underwater.   There is no running around the pool, and when jumping, we make sure the area ahead is clear.  The pool water must be clear so you can see to the bottom. If it is cloudy or murky, then that pool is closed for the day.  If it thunders, we stay out of the pool for 30 minutes until it has subsided.  All of these rules are taught in the lifeguard course and advised by the state code.

 

 

12. How do you handle and document incidents or accidents that occur under your supervision?

 

Any and all incidents that occur are documented on an incident report and taken from all witnesses present.

 

13. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult or unruly swimmer? How did you handle the situation?

 

Unruly swimmers are usually trying to have fun, but in turn, disrupting other swimmers.  We sometimes have older children who are playing rough In the pool where they are hitting each other with pool noodles or kickboards, and a younger or weaker swimmer nearby is being affected by the rocky water.  In this situation, the whistle is blown, and we make sure the troubled swimmer is ok and then take the unruly swimmers to the side.  There is always one warning. After the first warning, the swimmer is asked to leave the pool if it happens again.  There are no exceptions or tolerance for misbehaving in a pool.  It is too dangerous to take chances.

 

14. How do you communicate and coordinate with other staff members, such as pool managers or supervisors, to ensure smooth operations?

 

Pool managers and supervisors are always given schedules at the beginning of the day and any notices of a circumstance that would challenge their day in any way.  Teamwork is what makes a lifeguard staff at a facility work smoothly.

 

15. How do you promote water safety awareness and education among swimmers and the community?

 

● Sending the lifeguards to private homes in the community is a very risky and heavy responsibility.  I educate all the homeowners on what they can expect from a lifeguard and how to ensure their pool party at home is as safe as possible.  I always remind people that lifeguards are able to get certified at the age of 15, and they should never leave them alone in their homes as the only supervisor.  They are simply an extra safety measure. I have weekly meetings with my lifeguards and are constantly modifying how they guard and interact with the swimmers at each home.  If you hire a lifeguard, you should speak with them before they begin to make sure you are on the same page of what you expect by your pool.

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● I remind both the homeowner and lifeguard that their responsibility is to theswimmers.  When they are guarding a swimming pool, it becomes their pool, and they should do anything and everything to prevent any accidents they may anticipate.  Your guard should be alert and scanning the pool and area at all times.  If you notice they seem tired or distracted, you should offer them a break, especially if they are working alone.  Asking a lifeguard to stay longer than the agreed shift is inadvisable.  No obstructions, no cell phones, no distractions.  A guard should never leave the pool unattended, and a homeowner should ask if they need to use the restroom and take over during that time. We do our best to watch, but we are only human.  

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● There are so many factors that go into a safe swimming environment.  The pool itself has areas in which it needs to be safe for swimmers to enter and exit and accessories by the pool, which can become a hazard.   For instance, having large floats in the pool, too many swimmers at once, volleyball courts or any nets dividing the pool, and foam parties in the pool can all be hazardous. Anything that would obstruct the vision of the entire pool from corner to corner, top to bottom, is considered an obstruction.  

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● I also like to remind everyone that lifeguards are not responsible for knowing who can swim and who cannot. This is always the duty of the parent.  If you have a child who cannot swim or is learning, they should either wear swimmies or use a float, or you should be in the pool with them as they swim.  Asking a lifeguard to pay special attention to one child out of a group is inadvisable.  Remember that a guard's duty is to watch the pool, and although it may look like a simple task, it requires all their faculties.  

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● I get many requests for guards to act as “counselors” or run a series of pool games while they are lifeguarding. I stress every time that if a lifeguard feels the capacity of the pool is at a low, they will most likely interact with all the swimmers, but if it is a busy pool, they should always be scanning and moving around the pool.  When you ask a lifeguard to take on other responsibilities besides lifeguarding, you inject a risk factor into the scenario.

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● Having a first aid kit on hand is always a plus, as is a flotation device. However, at a homeowner’s pool, we always advise the guard to immediately go in and make a save, not to rely on any equipment.  Prevention is the key to lifeguarding, there are rules for reasons, and these rules help prevent accidents from happening.  If you have small children who cannot swim, please make sure they are always wearing something around the pool, even if they are not swimming at the moment, because, as we know, anything can happen.  Swimming lessons are a terrific idea and should be given when your child is ready.  

 

As always, be safe and have a wonderful summer!