What is the best way to ensure lifeguard readiness during a shift?

The best way to ensure lifeguard readiness during a shift is to conduct regular drills and refresh skills through training exercises. This approach reinforces the lifeguards' preparedness to respond effectively to emergencies, ensuring they remain proficient in their rescue techniques, communication skills, and basic first aid and CPR. Regular drills simulate real-life scenarios, allowing lifeguards to practice their responses in a controlled environment, which builds confidence and sharpens their skills.

Reinforcing these skills not only helps in familiarizing lifeguards with their roles and responsibilities but also fosters teamwork and communication among the staff. By continuously practicing and updating their knowledge through training exercises, lifeguards are better equipped to handle unexpected situations, which ultimately enhances safety for all individuals in and around the water.

While monitoring social media for important alerts and staying seated to observe the water are also important, these actions do not directly contribute to skill proficiency or readiness. Limiting interactions with other staff members may lead to reduced teamwork and communication, which are crucial in a rescue scenario. Therefore, regular drills and training exercises are fundamental to maintaining a high level of readiness among lifeguards.