Serving the Community by Keeping the Waters Safe
Across U.S. communities, lifeguards are indispensable personnel who keep swimmers, bathers, and others in recreation safe. Beyond convenience, they are an absolute need at pools, lakes, and beaches. Drowning, which ranks among the most frequent causes of worldwide accidental deaths, can be first prevented, if at all, by lifeguards.
However, an alarming, years-long shortage of lifeguards threatens the safety of public waterways and the ability of communities to provide safe swimming environments. The intersection of such dire needs creates an opportunity for the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), one of the leading organizations in lifeguard training, to enter the scene on behalf of a solution.
Why Lifeguarding Matters
Lifeguarding is not confined to summer but is a vital public service and a tool of life to empower communities. Lifeguards undergo training that lends itself to the protection of victims and their well-being during moments of crisis-wether that be the rescue of a swimmer from an emergency, CPR assistance to an individual with a heart attack, or first aid for a bodily injury. The knowledge that in case of an emergency, someone is there who can secure the safety of people enjoying water supplies comfort.
Beyond lifesaving, the hypothetical exists in capacity building and teaching. It teaches water safety skills, enforces rules to avoid rule-breaking accidents, and creates a responsibility and awareness culture concerning water. The most unsung heroes of the community are the lifeguards who tirelessly work behind the scenes to keep our waters safe.
Influence of Lifeguard shortage on Communities
The shortage of lifeguards, coupled with other severities, has a debilitating effect on communities nationwide. According to reports, rural areas already struggle to have community swimming facilities, but because of this, rural communities are being forced to shut down public pools, which now do not give them a safe place to swim.
The same goes for under-staffed beaches and pools in urban areas, where overcrowding increases the risk factor for swimming. Some private facilities, such as hotels and resorts, also have been hit by a shortage of lifeguard employees.
The ongoing situation has severed existing working lifeguards. The present pool of lifeguards is worked upon for longer periods and covers larger areas. This will increase the risk of burnout and reduced job satisfaction. When there is no sufficient staffing, the quality of supervision will go down, and the chances of accidents will increase.
ALA Making Difference
American Lifeguard Association is trying to make an effort to counter proactive measures toward the lifeguard shortage and keep communities safe with well-recruited lifeguards. One of the main forces of action by the ALA is the outreach and recruitment program. This program encourages mobilizing community and local government as partners in raising awareness of the need for lifeguards and encouraging certification.
Flexibility is also reflected in the training options availed by the ALA. These flexible training options include online training modules that allow candidates to complete part of their certification at their own pace rather than relying solely on in-person courses. This way, candidates are able to undertake the lifeguard training side by side with another activity, such as school or work.
Another concern for ALA is diversity and openness. Lifeguarding must be made available to everyone, including people from all backgrounds and abilities. By diversifying the profession of lifeguarding in America, the ALA helps make the lifeguard teams mirror the communities they are reaching out to serve.
The advantages of being a lifeguard
There are a million reasons why anyone should contemplate becoming a lifeguard. Apart from making a difference in the lives of other persons, guarding gives one a chance to acquire valuable skills that can go a long way in various aspects. Lifeguard’s communication, leadership and problem-solving capabilities are very transferable to almost all other careers.
Besides personal gratification from saving lives, lifeguarding can be the link to many opportunities in public safety, healthcare and education careers. Lifeguarding is a profession that many choose to become paramedics, firefighters or swim instructors, applying skills gained during this job while pursuing their passions.
How Communities Can Help
Community, local government and organizations like the ALA would have to work together to resolve the lifeguard shortage. Training and certification programs are the best methods for communities to stand by lifeguarding. Communities can “bring ALA to the party” for lifeguard training courses or even scholarship funds for candidates who may otherwise be deterred from obtaining an ALA certification due to financial hurdles.
Pay and Benefits Offered by Local Governments
Competitive pay and benefits can entice and retain lifeguards. Contribution from the community makes it easier for one to realize how valuable the profession is. The aquatic facilities can be staffed adequately for water safety, and lifeguards will recognize that they are valued and supported.
Final Word
The lifeguard shortage is a problem that requires quick resolution because the failure to ensure trained lifeguards on our waters exposes swimmers to risk and invites tragedies from which communities can be spared. Organizations such as the American Lifeguard Association are at the forefront of addressing this shortage through training and certification programs in addition to propounding water safety and encouraging youngsters into the lifeguarding profession.
Doing all lifeguarding initiatives and investing in the next generation of lifeguards, can save communities and make everyone feel secure when using the water. Lifeguards perform more than just the watchful eye; they are lifesavers, educators, as well as heroes to their communities. Together we can overcome the shortages of lifeguards so that future generations can continue to have safe waters.
