Dear Moms, Dads, Sisters, Brothers, and Babysitters,
I see you. I see you even when you don’t see me.
I’m the one you count on to protect your children when you visit the pool. I’m the one spending long hours in the hot sun so you can enjoy the water. I’m the one spending my breaks cleaning the bathrooms and scrubbing the droppings of yet another ice cream sandwich off the concrete.
Have you figured out who I am yet?
That’s right, I’m the lifeguard.
You either love me or hate me, there is no in between.
To the ones who love me, thank you. I appreciate your support even when I'm undeserving of it. I'm no superhero, but you are the ones that make me feel like I am. Thank you, you're the reason that I choose to return year after year when I could so easily go work somewhere else.
To the ones that hate me, I’m sorry you feel that way. Believe me, I’m not telling you to walk or asking you to go down the slide one at a time to take away your fun. I’m doing these things to keep you safe, and there are a few things you should know.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that between 2005-2014 an average of 10 unintentional (non-boating related) drowning deaths occurred per day. Drowning is preventable, but we as lifeguards count on you to help us.
My coworkers and I are not your personal babysitters, and with hundreds of kids each day it's unrealistic to think we can be. When we are on the stand, we are continually scanning to identify any potential hazards or drownings. Please don't expect us to watch your child and your child only. As a caretaker, it is your responsibility to keep a close eye on the child(ren) you bring to the pool. This means getting into the water with your children, it's not only one of the easiest ways to prevent drowning, but it's also one of the most neglected. There is never a text, call, or notification that is more important than the safety of a child.
As lifeguards, each one of us has undergone hours of training to properly respond in the event of an emergency, but that doesn't mean we want to utilize our skills. Our reluctance to use our skills doesn't come from laziness, but instead from a place of compassion. It sounds strange, I know. However, when a lifeguard must utilize their skills it means that an emergency has occurred that most likely could have been prevented.
Whether the person is five or 50, the possibility of drowning is still present. Too often I see people drop children off at pools without any supervision under the assumption that the child can swim. However, this is not always the case. Even if your child visits the pool every day, they may demonstrate weak swimming skills that can quickly get them into life-threatening trouble.
Although you may place your child in water wings, that doesn't mean they are safe. Not only do they give children a false sense of security, but they can also easily slip off creating yet another situation for children to drown. Always invest in a United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket in the appropriate size for your child. Although it may become expensive as there is a chance you will need to replace the jacket each year, it is never so much that it is worth the loss of a child.
As lifeguards, we want each person who walks through the pool entrance to have a fun and enjoyable time. Therefore, we don't makeup rules just based on what we feel like doing that day. Each facility has their own set of rules laid out and clearly displayed for patrons to see. These rules are in place to help keep you having a fun and enjoyable time while being safe. We aren’t here to be the bullies, so please respect us and teach your children to do the same. We are only trying to prevent a tragedy.
Sincerely,
A Lifeguard
P.S. - If you are the parent of a young child, please sign them up for swimming lessons now or if you cannot swim, find a class and sign yourself up too. You are never too young or too old to learn how to swim. Most swim programs will have scholarships available for those who may not be able to afford the price of lessons. Check with your local Red Cross, YMCA, swim team, or wellness center for different programs available.
