PROTECTING SWIMMERS

Lifeguard Positioning

Why Lifeguard Positioning is Important
Step-by-Step Process to Determine Lifeguard Positioning

Below we have summarized the process you can take to determine your lifeguard’s positions. Through this process, you will also be able to determine the minimum number of lifeguards that are needed to adequately guard the water.

Step 1: Begin with an Optimal Position
When you begin the process of identifying a lifeguard’s area of responsibility, an optimal position is generally:

  • Guarding one body of water
  • At the edge of the water
  • Where the lifeguard’s back is to the light
  • In an elevated chair, as every inch of elevation reduces the size of blind spots considerably. (Lifeguards should never guard from a standard height chair or lower.)

If you are completing this process with a natural body of water where you are unable to see the bottom, skip to step four. 

Step 2: Identify any Glare
Once an optimal position is determined, identify whether or not you are able to see the entire area of responsibility from the top to the bottom. If glare limits your ability to see an area of the water, we suggest identifying where the glare is coming from.

Step 3: Eliminate Glare
Below are different questions to ask in order to eliminate any environmental factors that may be causing glare:

  • Is there something on the deck causing the glare?
    • Sometimes objects light in color can cause glare on the deck.
  • Are there windows causing glare on the deck?
    • Can you purchase blinds, or tint the windows, in order to eliminate the glare?
  • Would elevating the lifeguard chair eliminate the glare?
    • Before purchasing a new chair, stand up in the current guard chair to see if elevating the chair would help.

If you are unable to eliminate the glare, consider the following:

  • Adjust the position until a position can be found for that area of responsibility that eliminates all blind spots
  • Keep the position the same, but reduce the shape or size of the area of responsibility to exclude the area that cannot be seen
  • Add an additional position to cover that area from a different angle

This process will help to determine how many lifeguards you need to minimally cover your pool(s).

Step 4: Test for Response Time
Once an optimal position has been selected, test to make sure that you can identify and respond to a victim anywhere within the area of responsibility. If it is determined that all areas of responsibility cannot be guarded properly, it is important that your organization reconsiders all positions, staffing, and programming. If needed, areas of the water should be closed.

Step 5: Create Positioning Maps
Once all positions have been identified, it is essential to communicate clearly and precisely with lifeguards about exactly where their area of responsibility is. Create positioning maps that show the entirety of the water, and where each area of responsibility begins and ends. Remember, it is best practice to have zones overlap to ensure that no area gets missed. After the maps are created, post them in a convenient location for all to see.

Below are sample zone maps. As you will see, the maps are for the same pool, but the lifeguard positions change depending on staffing, time of day, season, programming, etc.

Some additional examples can be found below:

Step 6: Educate Lifeguards
Establishing proper lifeguard positioning is an ongoing process. Regularly educate guards on how to properly position themselves, for example:

  • Educate lifeguards on the purpose of identifying proper lifeguard positions
  • Teach lifeguards the process, and empower them to be involved
  • Educate lifeguards on the positioning maps, and why certain positions exist
  • Empower lifeguards to speak up if they are unable to see something in their area of responsibility

In our State of Aquatics September 2020, we went live on a pool deck to watch this process from start to finish. We encourage you to watch this example to see how one organization has determined proper positioning.

Tips & Tricks for Determining Lifeguard Positioning

Below are tips and tricks when determining proper lifeguard positioning.

Steps You Can Take

After reading through “Lifeguard Positioning” approach a lifeguard on scanning duty today and do the following:

  • Position yourself so that you are able to hear them talk, but not block their view of the water
  • Ask the guard the following questions:
    • Is there any glare in your current area of responsibility that is preventing you from seeing the bottom?
    • Are there any obstructions in your current area of responsibility that are preventing you from seeing the bottom?
    • If a swimmer was in trouble in your area of responsibility, are you confident that you would be able to identify and respond quickly?
    • If in a natural body of water, are you confident that you would be able to identify and swim or boat to them in a short period of time?
  • Depending on the guard’s answers, work with them to resolve any visibility issues they are experiencing
Key Links & Resources

Tips and Tricks for Proper Lifeguard Positioning and Visibility
Read our guidance for additional tips and tricks when going through the process of identifying proper lifeguard positions.

Lifeguard Placement: Step-by-Step Video
Watch these short videos to see the process of validating lifeguard positions live on a pool deck. 

In-Service Training: Testing Your Lifeguard Positions
Download our sample in-service training to use with your guards to walk them through a situation where improper lifeguard positioning contributes to the delay in identifying a victim.

Test. Mark. Protect.
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