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Lifeguard ManagementAmerican Red Cross Lifeguard Management replaces and improves on the ARC Head Lifeguard course.
(Links for instructors on how to update are at the bottom of this page.)
According to the Red Cross:
"The Lifeguard Management course provides participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage lifeguards and to create an environment that keeps patrons, lifeguards and the aquatic facility safe. The Lifeguard Management course covers the responsibilities of a lifeguard supervisor, the selection and training of lifeguards and team building principles of injury prevention, risk management and emergency response planning.
Course materials for the Lifeguard Management course include:
Lifeguard Management Participant's Manual
Lifeguard Management CD-ROM. The CD-ROM includes sample in-service trainings and records and reports."
This participant's kit (manual and CD-ROM) will cost $26.95.
The Winter 2003 edition of ARC Instructor Flash, with details about the new program, is at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/resources/flashv1n3.pdf
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The Santa Cruz California ARC chapter offered the first instructor training in California on March 22. Wendy Sato, Alan Ahlstrand and I attended along with instructors from as far away as Oakland and El Cerrito. It was really great to get answers to questions in detail.
Here are some of the basics about the course:
There are no prerequisites, but a current Lifeguard Training cert or previous experience or previous management experience is recommended.
The target audience includes lifeguard supervisors, head lifeguards, camp directors, pool management personnel, homeowners associations, recreation directors and more.
The Lifeguard Management course takes around 7 hours, 10 minutes, depending on class size and the experience and abilities of the instructor and participants.
The video includes patron surveillance portions of the lifeguard training, waterfront guard and waterpark guard videos redone for the management audience plus 3 segments on trouble at your pool for group discussion.
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At De Anza College we have taught the Head Lifeguard class along with Lifeguard Training since its inception. The new Lifeguard Management course takes all the best parts of Head Lifeguard, updates some of them and adds lots more great info.
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The How to Minimize Risks chapter has the same basic details about
Duty to Act
Standard of Care
Record Keeping, etc.
but it also adds specific ways to fulfill these responsibilities.
There are case study discussions about applications of legal considerations.
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The appendix from Head Lifeguard on guidelines for asking non-discriminatory interview questions is now a part of a chapter and has been updated.
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Motivating Your Lifeguard Team includes a new method for establishing goals, the "S.M.A.R.T. goal:
Specific (one idea, not different ideas presented together)
Measurable (progress can be evaluated)
Attainable (challenging, but possible that the goal can be achieved)
Relevant (compatable with the supervisor's goals and facilitiy's mission
Time oriented (can be achieved with in a defined period, before a proposed deadline)"
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Many forms are now not only in the textbook , but also on the CD-ROM, so for example, a Sample Maintenance Checklist can be customized for each facility. You can add or subtract items to check or put a site logo or design on the page.
The Red Cross national website has a new Lifeguard Management site with feature articles, links to related lifeguard training sites, and a Powerpoint presentation for the class.
Lifeguard Management is at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/aquatics/lgm.html
Featured articles:
Effective Patron Surveillance discusses the YMCA/Ellis-type 10/20 rule at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/aquatics/lgm.html#2
International Life Saving Federation info is at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/aquatics/lgm.html#3
From that site there are links such as: "The medical commission of ILS has worked hard in developing position statements regarding aquatic topics of particular importance. Some of these position statements include:
· The use of abdominal thrusts in near drowning;
· The use of automatic defibrillation by lifesavers and lifeguards;
· The use of oxygen by lifeguards; and
· Communicable diseases.
To view these position statements and others developed by the medical commission, visit the following ILS website link: http://www.ilsf.org/medical/position_statements.html. "
The Resources section includes Lifeguard Management Resource Links at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/aquatics/lgm.html#6
If you are an instructor read this:
All Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors and Instructor Trainers will need to update to the new material by completing a self-study or attending a group orientation before the end of their current authorization period.
Go to Instructor's Corner at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/resources/forinsts.html#swim
and scroll down to
Swimming and Lifeguarding
and click on the following sections:
Lifeguard Management Course Released
Updated Lifeguarding Program Overview
Self-Study Guide
Verification Form
Lifeguarding Instructor's Update
Section 1: Preparation
Section 9: Lifeguard Management Course
Section 10: Basic Water Rescue Course
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