The Professional Lifeguard and Injury Prevention

Decision Making Skills Decision making skills are not only important in lifeguarding, but in life as well.

Decision Making Skills Use the FIND Model to help you to make decisions F – Figure out the problem I – Identify possible solutions N – Name the pros and cons D – Decide the best solution

Decision Making Skills Work in groups of 3. Read the assigned problem Brainstorm together the steps of the FIND Model. One person record the ideas Present ideas to class Will count as a project grade

Legal Considerations Duty to act - responsibility to help in an emergency Standard of care - minimum standard of care Negligence - Do only what you’re trained to do! Good Samaritan laws Consent - Be sure to ask! Refusal of care - Cal 911 anyway Abandonment - Stay with them! Confidentiality - Don’t disclose info Documentation - Write it down!

The (Lifeguard) Team Teams may be trained and evaluated together Everyone working at the facility needs to know his/her role in an emergency Requires good communication and frequent in-service training

Facility Management Promotes (Lifeguard) Professionalism Management can support and help you by… - Provide a policy/procedure manual - Conducting frequent in-service training - Provide opportunities for career development

Preventing Injuries – Patron Safety Lifeguards use three injury prevention strategies Communication with patrons 2. Facility safety checks 3. Patron surveillance

Safety Checks Should be conducted before the facility opens, during daily operations, and at closing Correct any problems before opening If you can’t… 1. Use signs/ropes/cones to keep patrons away from hazard Document the problem NEVER perform safety checks while on duty lifeguarding

Management’s Responsibility Creating and reviewing EAP’s and policies Addressing unsafe conditions Maintaining records on facility and employees Assisting after an emergency