Keeping certifications updated throughout the summer
For businesses or nonprofit organizations hiring lifeguards, proper training is essential. So make sure you can offer an easy way for these valuable employees to maintain their certifications. Lifeguards are vital to water safety. You want to make sure they get the best instruction. Group training can be a great chance to hire and retain employees and boost staff morale.
Safety Solved will bring the training to you. All sessions can be held at your facility: classroom instruction and water testing can be done onsite. You can also choose virtual courses for the classroom portion. Book the sessions at our Aurora facility and receive a discount. If your facility hires multiple lifeguards, onsite training is ideal. Safety Solved will even send certification reminders with expiration dates to ensure everyone remains compliant with state regulations. Currently, the Lifeguard/instructor review and recertification (LGI), previously extended during COVID, expires on August 31st with a 30 day grace period.
Importance of Lifeguards
About 4,000 people die every year from drowning, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Roughly 60 percent of those deaths occur in swimming pools. Even skilled swimmers can be at risk when distracted at crowded pools. Some communities struggle with decisions about maintaining lifeguards at their facilities due to costs. The CDC has concluded that throughout the history of lifeguarding, the benefits far outweigh the expense. Case studies show when lifeguards are eliminated, the incidents of deaths significantly increase. Lifeguards are essential to risk management and help enforce rules and safety. Without them, a facility is likely to be disorganized with a lack of structure, causing deadly mistakes.
The necessity of lifeguards to prevent drownings and other dangerous health hazards has been proven. The CDC has conducted many studies, including one following two drownings and 40 near-drownings during a six-year span at a state park in Hawaii. After hiring lifeguards in 1992, no drownings have been reported at the park. Properly trained lifeguards are essential to public safety.
Facilities that choose not to provide lifeguarding services may be opening themselves up to potential lawsuits. In most states, lifeguards are expected to act within a standard of care set by their training and protocols. Laws protect safety providers at swimming pools. Typically, the costs of drowning deaths are far higher than the cost to provide lifeguarding services.
Benefits to Training Lifeguard Employees
There are many advantages to workplace training. Employees are generally more committed when their employer invests time, effort, and money into their success. It’s no different with lifeguarding jobs. Here are a few reasons to consider training lifeguard candidates at your facility:
- Builds loyalty and teamwork among staff
- Easy and convenient
- Consistent training practices
- Trainees can receive it as a free perk of the job
- Sets your company apart from the competition
- Allows you to train and keep good employees
Lifeguard training covers a wide variety of topics, including water safety, surveillance, rescue techniques, the human body, and dealing with accidents and sudden illnesses which may occur. A lifeguard must be ready to respond to any emergency situation at any time. Let Safety Solved handle your lifeguard training needs. View our training packages here, visit us on our Facebook page to learn about upcoming events, and contact us to schedule learning opportunities for your employees!
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