Open water 730 tuesday, & we have the red carpet laid out!

Next swims

Lifeguards: When the right thing to do is the wrong thing to do?

We train Lifesavers and Lifeguards – so what’s the difference?

A lifesaver provides assistance wherever they happen to be, a lifeguard provides assistance in a dedicated place be it pool or beach

An article on the BBC shows what can happen to a lifeguard when they operate outside their area of responsibility or “zone”. In the article “Florida lifeguard fired for helping drowning man“ they tell the story of beach lifeguard Tomas Lopez who was sacked after helping save a man in trouble in an unguarded area of the beach. You can read the article here.

If you want to become a lifeguard or already are one this is worth discussing.

Why the issue?

If a specific area is Lifeguarded we might expect that the levels of personnel / equipment are agreed in advance. A lifeguard leaving their area of responsibility reduces the levels of cover available. An example of bad lifeguard practice might be if they snuck off to the shops while they were supposed to be on duty.

Planning for eventualities

We would expect that their training and written instructions, known as normal operating plans (NOPs) and emergency operating plan (EAPs), would state what they should do. For example after a rescue a Lifeguard may be committed to providing aftercare and would not be watching their zone, is there a mechanism for covering them. In this circumstance it might state what to do if an incident occurs outside the rescue zone. Might it include engaging the Coastguard or RNLI Lifeboat.

Is it any different if they are outside their zone doing a rescue?

If the area being protected by the Lifeguard is compromised is there is a threat to water users? That’s the issue here

Think of it this way; a lifeguard in a swimming pool leaves to assist a collapsed person in a shop next door and while they are away someone gets into difficulty in the pool.

To encourage debate think about other possibilities say

- A Lifeguard on Rush North Beach attending a rescue on Rush South Beach.

- A lifeguard on Claremont Beach attending a rescue on Ireland’s eye

So who is in the right?

It’s hard not to support the employer, Ellis & Associates. They employed the Lifeguard to do a job at a specific place and time. But it’s impossible not to have sympathy for a lifeguard who rescues someone.

Tomas, without question, is the lifesaver you want if you are in trouble, is he the lifeguard you want on your beach?

Let the debate begin

next swim

Saturday 2.30 Claremont Beach

Tuesday 7 Claremont Beach

Fixed: lifeguard Beach safely sign

Am promised!

Loads of beach photos coming in,  we'll start loading them all up this week

Next swim 230 Claremont Beach Howth

What colour lifeguard flag?

Walkers and swimmers in Claremont beach Howth today did a double take on the new and improved signage.....  as rolf says..  Can ye see it yet?

Quiet swim on a wet,  blustery and cold week night. 

Big difference to the Howth triathlon numbers at the weekend.

Next swim sat 2.30,  beach lifeguards have a separate timetable

Swims and pictures

We're back to the beach Tuesday 3rd at 7 pm
....... and on Saturday at 230

Remember you need a brightly coloured swimming cap

timetable

Beach Lifeguard 10.30 DCU
Everyone else - 10.30 Sunday on the beach , bring a brightly coloured swimming cap