In the three years I've been working as a lifeguard, I've noticed some things that just about every member at the pool does at some point. Most of the time, people don't seem to realize what they're doing is a problem. But often it is, and often the lifeguard doesn't realize that they need to tell people not to do these things. Many pools have signs up advertising the rules (for example, where I work we have a "No Breath Holding" sign), but others don't, assuming that many of these things that should be rules are common sense.
Much of what I have listed here is really common sense. Yes, much of it is also rules, but here I explain the rules so you know why they are rules. Some of this is general advise as well, such as the point about swimming lessons, but I strongly recommend you follow all ten points next time you go to the pool.
1. Even if it’s sunny, be prepared to have to leave the pool because of thunder.
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-38453104/stock-pho...
Trust me, it happens, and you still can’t be on deck or in the pool per Red Cross safety regulations.
2. Don't practice your dead man's float in the pool
http://www.memecenter.com/fun/1821489/dead-mans-float
http://www.memecenter.com/fun/1821489/dead-mans-floatIt’s essentially pretending to drown, and it desensitizes us to people actually drowning. Just don’t do it.
3. Don't participate in breath holding contests.
http://www.quickmeme.com/Futurama-Fry/page/487/
The reason for this is essentially the same as the previous point, except that this is more dangerous because if you hold your breath for too long you can black out and look like one of those swimmers who is practicing their dead man’s float.
4. If you’re not confident in water over your head, don't go where water is over your head
http://freelifesavingsociety.com/swimming/lifesavi...
You can still learn to swim in water that is chest deep. Many pools have mandatory swim tests, but these are most often just for children. Management assumes that if adults can't swim, they don't try to go in water over their head. you would be surprised by how many adults don't follow this rule.
5. If your kid can’t swim, DON’T LET THEM SWIM IN WATER OVER THEIR HEAD ALONE.
http://www.mnn.com/home-blog/guest-columnist/blogs...
Often kids will overestimate their swimming ability because they’re used to swimming with a floaty, but unless they have a lifejacket, it’s a bad idea to let them go there. If you’re in the water with them, don’t go over your head, because if your kid is in trouble, you need to be able to hold them. Even if you’re a strong swimmer, your kid is not.
6. Most pools offer swimming lessons for all ages, including adult.
http://isd194.org/community-education/home/4-child...
If you’re an adult who can’t swim (or even if you just want to become a better swimmer), ask at the desk about adult lessons, and you should be able to start a class at the beginning of the next session.
7. Don’t run on the pool deck.
My image
Or walk quickly with your kid (forcing them to run) because you’re late for swimming lessons. Seriously. This is for your own safety. It’s often as easy to slip and fall on the pool deck as it is to slip on ice in the winter, and concussions from people slipping are the most common serious injury I have to deal with as a lifeguard.
8. Listen to the lifeguard.
My screenshot from YouTube
I promise everything they’re telling you not to do is for your safety.
9. Anything the lifeguard tells you that isn’t an immediately obvious safety issue is probably coming from management, and the lifeguard is forced to enforce that rule whether they like it or not.
http://fictionalcharactermbti.tumblr.com/post/1353...
If the lifeguard doesn’t listen to their boss, they’re often fired.
10. If you don’t like something at the facility, or the way things are run at the pool, don’t blame the lifeguard.
http://gravityfalls.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:78402
Or the person at the front desk. Chances are, these are things that management set up, so a call to the office will help solve your problem. Yelling at the 16-year-old who was hired last week will not.
