General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Lifeguard requirement Rss Feed  
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2011-02-14 12:10 PM

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Master
2504
2000500
Southwest Iowa
Subject: Lifeguard requirement

What is the lifeguard requirement for the lifeguards working an open water swim.  I know that an ocean swim requires one lifeguard for 35 swimmers and it is 50 per lifeguard.  That is not my question.  I am a certified Red Cross lifeguard, but what is required for the lifeguards in a sanctioned usat event?  Our insurance says to talk to the Red Cross and the Red Cross says it depends upon the insurance company, but the Red Cross also says there is another certification for water parks, that should be taken before the event.  Even though waterpark is part of the standard Life Guard certification training.  Not that it is touched on much in the book or the videos or the training.

 

Any help??



2011-02-14 1:03 PM
in reply to: #3354297

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Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Lifeguard requirement

My understanding is that you have to have an Open Water Certification from a certified USLA Agency.  Usually that is the local entity that oversees lifeguards.  In my case that is Sarasota County who hires and trains the lifeguards for our public beaches.

Not sure if that answers your question or not.

Mark

2011-02-14 1:18 PM
in reply to: #3354448

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Master
2504
2000500
Southwest Iowa
Subject: RE: Lifeguard requirement
Thanks.  I can see that on beaches on the ocean, but not sure how common that is in the middle of the cornfields in Iowa. 
2011-02-14 1:39 PM
in reply to: #3354297

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Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Lifeguard requirement

Got offered a job in Muscatine, IA years ago.  The guy kept telling me it was a "waterfront community" just like Sarasota, except it had the Mississippi River instead of the Gulf of Mexico...

Mark

2011-02-14 8:16 PM
in reply to: #3354297

Extreme Veteran
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Washington, Utah
Subject: RE: Lifeguard requirement
Red cross offers a "waterfront" certification. It is different from an ocean or pool certification and used for lifeguards who work at places like summer camps.
2011-02-14 8:18 PM
in reply to: #3354297

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Master
2504
2000500
Southwest Iowa
Subject: RE: Lifeguard requirement
That is what we are trying to clarify and the costs to get them certified a second time.


2011-02-14 8:25 PM
in reply to: #3354297

Extreme Veteran
409
100100100100
Washington, Utah
Subject: RE: Lifeguard requirement
Waterfront certified is going to be different than waterpark certified. Have you looked in to becoming certified LG instructor yourself? Depending on how many guards you are going to have, it may be more cost effective for you to get certified and then run the course yourself.
2011-02-15 6:38 AM
in reply to: #3354297

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Master
2504
2000500
Southwest Iowa
Subject: RE: Lifeguard requirement
I quit working as the aquatics director about two years ago, so I am not planning on spending the money or time to become a Red Cross certified instructor.  We are trying to figure out what we can do.  Thanks for the help.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Lifeguard requirement Rss Feed