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...

1. Communication with patrons2. Facility safety checks3. 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