Lifeguard intimidation

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Bill Sive — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 11:22:30 GMT

I am sad to report some of my pool life guards have let me down. In one pool a young man with autism drifted into the deep end of the pool The lifeguards were trying to get his attention by yelling at him. The young man did not respond. Since I was in the pool, and in the deep end anyway, I swam over to the young man, and towed him to the side of the pool. He was slippery, since he was covered head-to-toe with sun block. When I got him to the side of the pool the lifeguards did not pull him out. I towed the young man again to shallow water where I could stand up. By that time the lifeguards located the mother of the young man and the young man finally agreed to climb up the pool ladder and exit the pool. In another pool a young child 2 1/2 - 3 years old decided she wanted to get in the pool. This young child walked to the opposite side of the pool from her parent. She sat down, and slid herself into the pool. Myself and another pool patron jumped into the pool and pulled the young child out of the pool. I am also sad to report that the young child was the daughter of the swim coach. The lifeguard was not on the pool deck, and most likely did not see this incident, because I fully expected the lifeguard to come racing out of the pool office, but did that did not happen. Shame on the Swim Coach for not being aware of his own daughter, and Shame on the lifeguard for sleeping on the job.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Celestial — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 04:31:03 GMT

That was a beautiful clip - thanks for sharing!

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

pendaluft — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 07:13:12 GMT

I have spent a lot of time trying to explain to the early morning lifeguards the importance of watching the pool (seriously). Many mornings, at 5:30 am, I am the youngest person swimming (50 today!) so I think the safety issues are obvious. Nevertheless I found myself explaining how you can't sleep, shave, text, read, or wander off while guarding. Eventually, I pass it upwards. Eventually the lifeguard gets replaced and a new comes to do the same thing. I do think it is hard to many young people to see it from the safety side. Also, the non-present aquatics director doesn't help. I always try to put it in terms of safety and liability when discussing it with Y leadership.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

moodyrichardson — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 10:04:58 GMT

That is automatic termination from my facility. Also, we have at least 2 guards on duty at all times. Unfortunately, many kids just see it as a summer job and don't think they are responsible for lives. Of course it doesn't help that some only get paid minimum wage. That creates even more apathy. I prefer that the people that are responsible for my life be paid well. That goes for police and firefighters as well.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

DeniseMW — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 09:34:39 GMT

I'm fortunate in that Fairfax County lifeguards are really awesome. They man both sides of the pool at all times and there are always two at least walking the deck to keep an eye on things. I wouldn't swim in an un-manned pool because I'm not that good or confident, and I'd hate to think it would take an incident for these facilities to wake up and realize life-guarding is serious business, not just a way to make an easy buck.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Bill Sive — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:19:30 GMT

That has happened to me a few times this year. Twice I was the only person in the pool, and the Lifeguard was not even in the pool office. Once the Lifeguard stated (s)he was going to get a snack, and once the Lifeguard stated (s)he was going to take a shower. I keep thinking about the liability potential if anything happens.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 09:51:17 GMT

I have a good one. How about the non-existent lifeguard? No, not at a beach; it was at a city pool! I am visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Gatlinburg Community Center indoor swimming pool had NO lifeguard on deck during my entire workout. Instead, he stayed holed-up in the office, sitting at a desk, chatting with co-workers who came in and out. There was a glass window looking out to the pool deck; however, I doubt he looked out much. I wasn't the only one in the pool either. At one point, there were several parents with their children at the far end of the pool from the office. Meanwhile, the two lap lanes were on the other side of the pool from the office, and there is no way he could have seen me at the closest end of the pool near the wall. There were dive blocks and a diving board, and I couldn't see him until I was quite distance out into my swim lane. That was a first for me!

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

FindingMyInnerFish — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 10:39:47 GMT

I tried, too. But after 30 years of trying, I'm tried out. (I enjoyed the video anyway -- it was very cool. But it could have been cooler). Agree! Re ocean lifeguards generally--I think the bar is higher for these folks. You can't sit around flirting, texting, etc., if someone's caught in a rip current, and you'd better be able to handle ocean conditions if you're to successfully rescue someone. So they no doubt HAVE to hire people who are serious about their jobs. Pool lifeguards--kind of depends on the specific pool, I suppose, so you can get totally oblivious or serious and responsible--but you have to pay for the latter.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

philoswimmer — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 11:04:26 GMT

Yes, great video, thanks! But one small bone to pick: despite the impression you might get from the video, there are women lifeguards on Oahu (I checked). A bit of a sore point for me as a former beach lifeguard, but I wouldn't have thought I'd need to say that almost 30 years later...

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

philoswimmer — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 10:20:29 GMT

philoswimmer, I thought the same thing and wondered why they only focused on these guys. But I enjoyed the video and tried not to be disappointed that women were not included. I tried, too. But after 30 years of trying, I'm tried out. (I enjoyed the video anyway -- it was very cool. But it could have been cooler).

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

DeniseMW — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 08:36:23 GMT

That was beautiful. And it gives you a whole new perspective on what it means to be a lifeguard. I love how these guys work so hard to keep fit and jump into the surf every day just to train and get ready in case they're needed.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

DeniseMW — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 03:24:47 GMT

philoswimmer, I thought the same thing and wondered why they only focused on these guys. But I enjoyed the video and tried not to be disappointed that women were not included.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

gobears — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 09:49:11 GMT

That was awesome - thanks for sharing :)

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Bill Sive — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 07:57:57 GMT

On the other hand: www.youtube.com/watch

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Former Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 15:07:29 GMT

If the lifeguard staff is that inattentive, it is a direct reflection of the management of the pool. Their supervisor obviously does not care about the patron's safety. That place is asking for a lawsuit. All it takes is one drowning and their closed for a while and branded with a bad reputation.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Bobinator — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 06:13:33 GMT

If this were me I'd probably not think they were glaring at me in anger for having the audacity to swim, I'd just think that was their face when they were very bored. Honestly, unless the guards were verbally accosting me I'd just ignore it and go about with my swim. These are just kids. No one should have to have a sitting job for 8 hours, but if we want to swim safely someone's got to do it. Just keep being grateful to them and do your thing.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

DeniseMW — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:01:52 GMT

Thanks, rxleakem. I am familiar with Bennington. I've been there a number of times. It's a lovely town. And it was an easy drive from when I lived in Mass. We used to go up to buy pottery and leisurely strolls through downtown. I've also been up to Montpelier for the post grad creative writing workshop at VCFA. I love Vermont. We've even talked about retiring there, but I don't know if I could handle the winters. It's one of the most beautiful states, IMHO. So when I do get up there, I'll pem you and you can steer me toward the best pools with the nicest lifeguards.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Former Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:02:34 GMT

I hope that if you were guarding now, you'd feel differently. That is their job, and other than going through rigorous lifeguard certification training (which I've done and passed), how often do they actually DO ANYTHING? I never had such a cream puff job in my lifetime. They need a reality check on what would happen if anyone actually drowned.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Former Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:00:40 GMT

yes, and to elaborate - they wear tons of makeup, don't want to get the hair wet, and even sport glitzy earrings. Gotta love it.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

DeniseMW — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:15:10 GMT

Let's not mention the shower caps.:D

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

DeniseMW — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 09:28:22 GMT

Where in Vermont? When I travel I like to know where the good pools are.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

rxleakem — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 02:47:33 GMT

Where in Vermont? When I travel I like to know where the good pools are. I live in Bennington, about an hour east of Albany, NY. We have a great (albeit older) pool here in town, and I can get you more info via DM about times and other places to swim if you are headed up this way. :)

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

__steve__ — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:32:20 GMT

The pool I typically use has no lifeguards. 8749

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

DeniseMW — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 07:38:52 GMT

Hi, evilwatersprite. From what folks are posting here, it appears outdoor pool lifeguards are the worst. I swim indoors at the county rec center, and most of the lifeguards there are great. They county's strict because they don't want to get sued. They also deal with cranky parents who want to make sure their kids have a good experience. Water aerobics and kid classes are pretty much on-going in the shallow end, and there are always people in the deep end, so the lifeguards have a lot to do. My friend who got kicked out of the Paris pool also swims at his gym, and he has all sorts of crazy stories about rude people in the pools and apathetic lifeguards. But lane cutters bug me the most, along with the people who hog a lap lanes to do water aerobics when the shallow end is completely empty.

RE: Lifeguard intimidation

Former Member — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 07:30:26 GMT

oh please, Denise, we can start an endless rant on that topic! hate those morons with noodles and styrofoam barbells - and the thing is they are sooooo out of shape, and years later, still the same shape. We also have "treadmills" taking up entire lap lanes in our indoor pool. The treadmill is always placed in such a direction that no one else can swim in the lane. They utilize a small square of lane, it's infuriating. I blame management - they argue that they can't tell people what to do in the pool. Really? When I signed up, I was told all classes were in the therapy pool and the lap pool was just for lap swimming. uggghhhhh