Aquatics

Lifeguards are responsible for monitoring Recreational Sports and Fitness Services aquatic programs and activities.  Lifeguards will be expected to achieve a current American Red Cross or national recognized Lifeguarding/First Aid and CPR/AED certification.  Further, they are to comply with all the policies and procedures of the Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Department.

Lifeguards will be under the general authority of the Aquatics Director and the Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Department.  Ultimately, a Lifeguard will report to their Guard Supervisor during their shifts.  

The Staff

• Lifeguards must be model employees of this program and lead by example.
• Treat all staff with equal respect.

Lifeguards are expected to help raise the level of safety in their pool through:

• Attending and delivering trainings for the Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Pools.
• Explanation and demonstration of the major aspects of life guarding.
• Evaluating guards regarding their positioning, pool policy knowledge, and enforcement.
• Continually educating other guards by providing constructive feedback.  

The Participants

• Treat every participant in a fair, respectful and consistent manner.  
• Never under any circumstances become aggressive, belligerent or rude.
• Never give an unruly participant any cause to continue their behavior.

Lifeguards are expected to be able to handle the following situations:

• Injured participants – attend to their injury and document everything.
• Ejected participants – must be removed from facility and documented.
• Closing a pool for any reason – biohazard, weather, etc.  

Paperwork

Lifeguards must ensure all paperwork is correctly completed and returned to their correct locations.  In the case of an incident, accident, ejection, or injury, complete the report that correlates with the case.   

The Pool and Equipment:

• The safety of all participants and staff is our highest priority.
• Check the pool and equipment for any issues that might impair the safety of the participants of staff.
• Maintain the equipment and ensure that it is properly returned from the pool deck after every shift.
• Ensure risk management procedures are adequately followed – Certifications are up to date  

Building Specific Pool Binder

Each Rec Sports Pool is provided with a specific binder, which contains valuable information and resources.  The Lifeguards are required to regularly update and review the information contained in these binders.

Included in the binder are all the necessary forms that a Lifeguard may need in the course of their duties (injury, incident, ejection forms, etc.).  

Performance of Duties

A Life Guard carries the same rank, and is expected to perform at the same level, regardless of which pool or event they are assigned.  Life Guards must know the policies or the Intramural Participant Handbook as well and the policies and procedures of the facility.  This includes but is not limited to the American Red Cross Regulations and the RECsports Employment Handbook.

Lifeguards are charged with:

• The competent and efficient management of all pools.
• Proficiency in all lifeguarding and rescue skills.
• Proactive surveillance of all Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Aquatic Facilities.
• The completion of all required paperwork (incident, injury reports, etc.).
• Encouraging and maintaining the morale of the staff.
• Being the representative of this Department during each and every shift.
• Performing and other tasks assigned by the Aquatics Director.