Lifeguards

A lifeguard is someone who is trained to provide professional assistance to drowning persons. A lifeguard is employed by a rescue team to supervise and provide assistance in, on and along the water. This is usually along the coast, but can also be done in inland waterways and in swimming pools. You may also encounter a lifeguard as a supervisor at water-related events. 

Duties of a lifeguard:

• Front lights: Be a point of contact for and educate recreationists and visitors.
• Supervision: Supervise beach goers, bathers, swimmers and (water) athletes. Recognize individuals who may be or are in trouble.

• Early intervention: Act proactively to prevent incidents. For example, by posting signs or raising flags.

• Provide assistance: Acting in the event of (water) accidents and providing first aid at incidents.

• Report: Track activities and incidents in a daily report; to learn from and for reporting.

To perform these duties responsibly, our lifeguards have good local knowledge. They need to know where and when it is safe and where and when it is not. A lifeguard must be in good shape to be able to use the knowledge and skills in practice. A lifeguard must be able to properly handle the life-saving equipment available at the lifeguard station and train with it regularly. A fully trained lifeguard masters rescue techniques to perform rescues. Which ones are used depend on the situation, every rescue is different.