Fundamentals of Proactive Swimmer Protection RAC Carroll Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc.

Transcription

1 Lifeguard Vigilance Fundamentals of Proactive Swimmer Protection RAC Carroll Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc.

2 The Problem Guests in Distress: May remain active on the surface of a pool for several seconds (best case scenario) May slip under water after only a few seconds of struggling May slip under water immediately with little or no struggle - moving below the water surface or directly to the pool bottom May be obscured from view by environmental conditions such as reflection, refraction, glare, turbidity, etc. Will loose consciousness soon after submersion The longer the guests are unconscious in the water, the more likely advanced measures will be required to save them

3 The Problem Lifeguards: Not taught to actively scan the bottom, middle and surface of the water Not conditioned to understand what a guest on the pool bottom may look like in a specific pool/attraction Allow vigilance to lapse during rotations, guest/staff interactions, etc. Not properly positioned to effectively view their entire area responsibility Supervisors are complacent to lifeguard vigilance

4 Contributing to the Problem Lack of sleep 22 hours without sleep equivalent to a 0.08 blood alcohol level Long hours long shifts, long durations at a station Heat Minimal protection from environmental concerns Monotony of task Cannot change position/behavior Allowed to take on a relaxed posture

5 Lifeguard Vigilance

6 Lifeguard Vigilance A closer look Appearance: Professional Equipment available Sunglasses Under shade Rescue Ready

7 Lifeguard Vigilance A closer look Scanning: Head and Body movement Outward scans Downward scans Left/right scans Immediately below his position scans Incorporating roving pattern with scanning pattern

8 Lifeguard Vigilance A closer look Rotation: Incoming lifeguard performs a Profound Bottom Scan Indication that the Bottom is clear (thumbs up) Exchange of equipment without loss of eye contact with the zone Outgoing lifeguard performs a Profound Bottom Scan Indication that the Bottom is Clear (thumbs up) Incoming lifeguard now has control of the zone Rotation complete

9 Factors that increase Vigilance The Zone of Protection area: Defining a workable zone size/number of zones based upon realistic, objective driven principles Confirming that a lifeguard can actually SEE everything he or she is expected to see within that defined zone at all times of day and operating conditions Conditioning lifeguards to what is typical about a zone so they can recognize when something is out of the ordinary Determining appropriate behavior for lifeguards to follow at each zone (standing, roving, sitting, in-water, etc.) Be prepared to re-evaluate on a regular basis to ensure past conclusions remain true

10 Factors that increase Vigilance Supervision Supervisors on deck stop and watch lifeguards performing their duties Look for signs of fatigue yawning, slouching, fixation, rocking back an forth, etc. Look for signs of distraction Unnecessary talking, picking at body/tube, unprofessional behavior, lack of rescue readiness, etc.

11 Factors that increase Vigilance Supervision Immediate correction when lack of vigilance is detected (culture of accountability) Intervening when guests have questions or to assist with rule enforcement Evaluating vigilance through operational drills Progressive remediation training plan to help lifeguards improve

12 Don t be fooled No inherently safe pool or attraction According to an ongoing study of lifeguard vigilance: Slowest simulated guest on the bottom recognition times occurred in water between 0.6 meters meters Second slowest simulated guest on the bottom recognition times occurred in water less than 0.6 meters Lazy River attractions were the most difficult to detect a simulated guest on the bottom Children s activity pools were the second most difficult attraction to detect a simulated guest on the bottom Wave pools and other pool types followed in difficulty

13 Lifeguard Vigilance Awareness through training Vigilance Awareness Training : Introduction of life-like manikins and other approximations of a guest in distress during the initial training of a lifeguard Zone Validation - logical defining of zones, confirming that lifeguards can see what is expected of them Pre-service training specific training of lifeguards on zones, BEFORE they begin working On-going in-service training Operational use of life-like manikins and other approximations of a guest in distress during the operational day Progressive Remediation plan for the ongoing improvement of lifeguard staff, relative to vigilance

14 Less attention to Vigilance. In otherwise well managed facilities without specific attention to vigilance and related training: Recognition of a simulated guest in distress on the pool bottom took 1 minute, 14 seconds on average Only 9% of lifeguards evaluated could recognized a simulated guest in distress on the pool bottom within 10 seconds 14% needed more than 3 minutes

15 More attention to Vigilance. At facilities that have implemented the strategies discussed herein, among others, as part of a Comprehensive Aquatic Risk Management Program: Median Recognition of a simulated guest in distress on the pool bottom took about 2 seconds 89% of lifeguards evaluated could recognize a simulated guest in distress on the pool bottom within 10 seconds Less than 1% needed more than 3 minutes

16 More attention to Vigilance. In 2013, at facilities that have implemented the strategies discussed herein, among others, as part of a Comprehensive Aquatic Risk Management Program: When a rescue of an actual unconscious guest is needed, 67% guests were breathing again within SECONDS of care beginning by a lifeguard About 78% of actual unconscious guests were breathing again within two minutes and before care was transferred to outside Emergency Medical Services (remaining survived as well) WHY? Because exceptional lifeguard vigilance resulted in fast recognition of guests before their condition deteriorated

17 Having Excellent Reaction Skills Helps Too.

18 For more information. Discuss with the speaker after presentation and/or Contact Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc. International Aquatic Safety and Risk Management Consultants Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc.

19 Lifeguard Vigilance Fundamentals of Proactive Swimmer Protection RAC Carroll Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc.