It is the duty of the lifeguards to ensure that they protect people that visit the beaches as part of their leisure activities. The following are their duties and responsibilities which demonstrate that they require better training, fitness and vigilance. Before I write this article, I shall describe the different responsibilities of a beach lifeguard and why they are necessary so as to maintain the security of beach users.
The Beach My assigned beach was located at the Davison point.
Beach lifeguards are the kind of personnel whose duties and work tasks include being able to monitor the beach. They intently look out into the water and the shore to see signs of pain. This entails searching on swimmers who may be in trouble or situations that may cause likely risks. The examples of such implements are that the lifeguards apply optics among other things, to increase their visibility as well as their effectiveness.
Performing Rescues
The beach lifeguards are needed to respond to the emergent cases and be fast. They are instructed about water rescue work that can include swimming to a drowning swimmer, or about using the rescue sheets, or plane skis. The lifeguards should be able to swim well and they should be ready to handle more difficult situations in the water including currents and waves.
First Aid Directing
Lifeguards are numerous times the first-aid assistance when somebody is harmed on the beach. They are equipped to give the first aid, which can range anywhere between acquiring minor lacerations and damages in giving CPR. Being a lifeguard is a must since the lifeguard should be prepared with the knowledge and abilities in dealing with medical emergencies until further medical aid arrives.
Educating the Citizens
Education of the community is the other critical job of beach lifeguards. They also teach or even inform the individuals visiting the beach about the potential hazards like currents, aggressive marine organisms or other areas that are not allowed to swim. Lifeguards also carry out a mission of educating people about the safety of using water and prevent anyone or make anyone not perish in the water.
Enforcing Beach rules
Beach lifeguards will apply policies and regulations on beach conduct that may be in existence. All these standards are established with the motive of safeguarding all. The lifeguards ensure that the visitors observe measures like swimming within specific areas, no vandalizing and conservation of the wildlife. In such a manner, lifeguards assist in the maintenance of request and safety on beach with due consideration to the above principles.
Intervention in Safety Drills
In order to maintain readiness, lifeguards usually conduct safety drills. Such trainings simulate various emergency situations, which allow the lifeguards to train their reactions and improve skills. Training and collaboration during lifeguard trainings make the lifeguards prepared at all times.
Providing Help and Data
The sources of information and help to the people that visit the beach are usually held to be lifeguards. They answer you when you ask about weather conditions, tides and times and what is the appropriate way to take a swim. Provision of this information will mean that the visitors will spend a fulfilling experience at the beach without the need to experience different accidents.
Revealing Occurrences
They advise that the lifeguards ought to keep some form of the records of any incidences that occur. These include rescues, medical care as well as violation of rules. This detail process of revealing things precisely is important so that to understand the issues of beach safety and development in the creation of the next safety measures.
Training and Physical fitness
- Athletics and keeping fit
Beach lifeguards have to be very healthy at least in the aspect of body fitness. This involves practice where they improve some of their skills in swimming, running and their stamina. When it comes to doing the rescue operations and managing the physical demands placed on the job, physical fitness is needed.
- Certification and training as professional lifeguard
It is also worth mentioning that there are strict training sessions to be accomplished to one would qualify as a beach lifeguard. The skills are present in life guard classes some of which are swimming techniques, rescue, and first aid. Once such courses are passed, the aspiring lifeguards are required to have a lifeguard certification. This in my opinion serves to show that they are prepared and qualified to embark on the requirements of the job.
In this paper the author concentrates on some of the key issues that beach lifeguards encounter
- Coping with Tough Situations
Lifeguard services in the beach are usually offered in complex situations. They have to face vagaries of weather, currents and crowded beaches. All this is not an easy task, however, the lifeguards must be ready all the time and watch out to take immediate action during an emergency.
Coping with Stressing Situations
Being a lifeguard can end up being a very traumatic process. They ought to make prompt judgment in a case of an emergency and carry out various activities simultaneously. Stress is one of the issues that training and experience aid lifeguards to control and be effective at it.
- Emotional Capacity
The lifeguards must also be truly flexible. They can learn to deal with such bad situations and they should assist suffering people. They are also in need of strength at home or professionally available emotionally supportive resources.
The importance of Continuous Learning
This indicates that lifeguards must be ready to learn as well as get new ideas. Participation in lifeguard classes and the refreshing classes will ensure that they will be equipped with adequate safety measures and methods. Further learning also facilitates upgrading of knowledge to the lifeguard and equipping him/her to face the new challenges.
Final Word
The presence of lifeguards in the beach plays a crucial role in making sure that there will be order in the shore. Monitoring the beach and rescue in the event of swimming amongst others is also part of their duties alongside, to a certain extent, educating people and security through orders. They also need a capacity to train physically, a continuity and deep muscle tone.
By attending lifeguard classes close to them and given a lifeguard certification, people can be competent lifeguards. American Lifeguard Association is an ideal source of information and resource that has devoted training programs to the lifeguards to assist them in carrying their duties of protecting the beaches.