As summer temperatures go high, millions visit a beach, pool or water park to stay cool and enjoy the season. But there is a crisis looming over the water’s surface that threatens the safety of water lovers everywhere—lifeguard shortages. With fewer trained water safety professionals on duty, the chances of drownings and water-related accidents increase.
This article will focus on lifeguard shortages, and what organizations like the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) are doing to address this crisis. For those who swim, parents and guardians, or anyone who wants to consider a career as a lifeguard, understanding this crisis is key for safe enjoyment in the summer months.
Why Is There a Lifeguard Shortage?
The lifeguard shortage is not a new issue; however, it has worsened in the last few years due to certain considerations:
Pandemic Related Disruption
The COVID-19 pandemic led to pool and beach closures, which created a very long gap in the training and certification of lifeguards. Some experienced guards left the vocation, while some new candidates were certified through the lockdowns.
Low Pay and Seasonal Work
Lifeguarding is considered by many a low-paying job when compared with other summer jobs, putt $50 an hour in a summer job versus $12 an hour: why work? Very few candidates are willing to earn less than the retail and food-service higher-rate jobs.
High Certification Costs
Certification of a lifeguard incurs expenses concerning training, time, and equipment. The entry and recertification costs are burdensome for some up-and-coming lifeguards and discourage them.
Increased Demand for Lifeguards
As more communities are opening public pools and aquatic centres, the demand for lifeguards has gone up; the supply of lifeguards has not kept up.
Consequences of Lifeguard Shortage
Risks increase when there are few lifeguards on duty:
- An Increase in Drowning Cases: Close to 4,000 fatal drowning cases in a year are cited in reports from the CDC, with an even greater number of non-fatal drownings. Fewer lifeguards equal longer emergency response times.
- Limited Accessibility of Pools and Beaches: Staff shortages have resulted in some facilities cutting down on hours or completely closing their doors; this leaves communities with fewer safe swimming options.
- Overworked Lifeguards: With long shifts and increased stress to burnout and reduced alertness, current lifeguards are becoming overworked.
Support from the American Lifeguard Association
One of the ALA’s functions, along with others, is to be a lead organization in the training of lifeguards to effectively meet this need. Here is how they work to make things better:
1. Training That Is Managed Affordably and Within Reach
The ALA provides affordable lifeguard certification programs that blend online work with on-location training in water safety. This makes candidacy for certification easy on the budget.
2. Certification Programs Nationwide
Lifeguard training from basic water-rescue skills to advances in CPR and first aid is offered by the ALA so that citizens can have excellent training wherever their training centre might be located within the country.
3. Encouraging Lifeguarding as a Career
Lifeguarding, rather, according to the ALA, promotes itself as a viable life-saving career with opportunities to advance into other fields, like aquatic management, emergency response, and public safety.
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4. Working With Communities and Employers
Working with the cities, resorts, and water parks, the organization seeks to keep pools and beaches open for public use and safety through staffing solutions.
How Can Water Lovers Avoid Unsafe Situations?
Although the lifeguard shortage is a grave issue, swimmers and their kin may take steps to safeguard themselves:
1. Swim at Places Where There Is a Lifeguard
Whenever possible, select beaches and pools that have lifeguards supervising the facility. Avoid swimming in areas where lifeguards are not on duty, as assistance may not be available in times of need.
2. Learn Basic Water Safety
Even if they are not lifeguards, people should learn CPR basic rescue techniques and water safety regulations could save lives.
3. Keep a Close Eye on the Kids
Drowning can happen in seconds with little to no sound. Never leave children unattended near water even in the presence of lifeguards.
4. Support Local Lifeguard Recruitment
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a lifeguard, encourage him or her to gain certification through the ALA or any other legitimate organization.
Final Word—Call for Action
The lifeguard shortage issue affects all who swim, be it on the beach, in the pool, or anywhere, which makes it pretty critical. The American Lifeguard Association is putting forth great efforts to train more lifeguards and sustain aquatic facility operations, but they need support from the respective communities, employers, and policymakers.
Enabling all of us to contribute, together we can raise awareness, improve pay and benefits for lifeguards, and make certification training more accessible so that summer days remain for fun, not tragedies.
Are you interested in being a lifeguard or supporting water safety programs? The American Lifeguard Association is what you need to become a lifeguard. Together we can turn the tides on lifeguard shortage and ensure safe waters for all.
