Dubai Municipality guidelines state that public pools must have qualified lifeguards on duty at all times when people are swimming. According to these guidelines, all lifeguards must be trained in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other approved techniques for lifesaving. It is also stated that resuscitation equipment must be provided, and that any person using it must be trained and qualified in its use.
In addition, the UK’s Health and Safety Commission identifies a competent lifeguard as someone who is physically fit, mentally alert and self disciplined, and is a strong, able and confident swimmer.
Lifeguards must also possess a recognised lifesaving qualification, have been inducted in the site-specific requirements of the pool, and be participating in regular, ongoing training.
But what does all this mean for your business?
Physical requirements
A lifeguard must be a minimum of 16 years old and be a healthy, fit person with good vision and hearing. As they must be able to communicate with the pool users, they must have the basic language skills of the common spoken language at the pool facility.
Swimming abilities
As a minimum, any individual who wants to become a pool lifeguard must be able to do the following:
• jump or dive into deep water
• swim 50m in one minute or less
• swim 100m continuously on their front, and 100m on their back
• tread water for 30 seconds
• surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
• climb out of the pool unaided, without using steps or a ladder
As a beach lifeguard they must also be able to:
• swim 200m in less than four minutes
• surface dive to a depth of 2m
• tread water for two minutes
Lifeguard qualifications
Having gained professional lifeguarding qualifications, the lifeguard should possess job-specific skills relevant to their position by a pool or on a beach. They should know how to perform CPR on adults, children and infants, how to use a pocket mask, the correct procedure for spinal injury management, and they should have a good understanding of first aid.
The training should be to internationally-recognised standards and follow actual CPR protocols set down by the European or American Resuscitation Councils.
Such lifeguard qualifications are generally valid for two years and must be renewed after this time.
Site-specific induction
Even if a lifeguard possesses a valid qualification, they must be made aware of the specific requirements and hazards of the site where they work.
The recreation manager or the facility’s lifeguard supervisor should conduct this induction, which is necessary to ensure that the lifeguard knows all the normal operating procedures and emergency action plans. It also supports the integration of the lifeguard into the team.
Some less experienced lifeguards will require additional, close supervision from other experienced lifeguards during the first phase of their work assignment.
Regular ongoing training
Lifeguards must have the opportunity to practice their skills onsite with their team to ensure that they maintain the required standards.
By doing this, the lifeguard will also improve their teamwork skills and gain confidence in their ability to react to emergency situations. The absolute minimum requirement for such training is one hour every two weeks, although ideally, some training should be carried out on a weekly basis.
It is highly recommended that training records be kept of such training sessions – if lifeguards can prove regular ongoing training, plus an additional 20 hours training with an Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) trainer or assessor, they can then benefit from a shorter re-assessment course when the time comes to renew their qualification.
Heike Glassner is the training manager for PRM International, an authorised training provider for the UK’s RLSS that offers lifeguard training courses and education for recreation managers responsible for lifeguard services.
For more information, contact [email protected]
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