Lifeguard

The history of lifeguarding and the development of lifeguard uniforms through the years is fascinating. The lifeguard uniforms men and women have worn throughout the years have evolved with the fashion trends of each generation. Although we commonly associate lifeguarding with the color red, lifeguard uniforms have been white, yellow, blue, and (more recently) safety yellow.

We created this infographic on the history of lifeguard uniforms to help lifeguard and aspiring lifeguard understand these trends. We hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

The goal of any aquatic professional is to find, hire, and keep the best staff that you possibly can. You have tools in place that help find and hire the appropriate team to perform. How can you use them to the best of your ability? Now that your team is here, how do you keep them? Often it is up to aquatics leadership to determine what and how they are going to do to put their team together and ensure that they stay all season, or year over year. When you look at any lifeguard team, there are going to be widely different personalities. Not everyone is built the same. A one size fits all approach doesn’t work and cannot be applied uniformly.

Step 1: Finding good lifeguard candidates

It starts with recruiting and finding an adequate candidate pool to focus your attention on. Schools are a great place to start since the key demographic for lifeguards are in high school or college. You can inquire with the school as to what assistance they can provide, and what guidelines are in place with regards to employers partnering with the institution to reach their students. They may allow posting information at their campus, possibly on the schools website, or even the ability to have slotted times to be able to be on campus and speak with the candidates directly.

By taking advantage of the opportunity to be involved and help any candidates find jobs is a good thing. You can build long-term partnerships with these institutions that can open other doors that may not have been thought of such as school tours or job training programs. This may also provide exposure for your facility within the student population as tours and shadow days can give them an idea of what it’s like to work there.

Step 2: Hiring the right lifeguards

Once good candidate pools are found, it’s time to interview and hire. This process can be challenging since there are do’s and don’ts in each state that must be followed. Outlining a process is important to ensure that you can conduct this process thoroughly and fairly. There are questions you cannot ask and you want to be conscious of these so that you don’t put your organization at any risk. In addition, this process is a chance to get to know the candidates. This is an important step in determining whether or not this individual will help or hinder your team. Take adequate time to get to know them. If you are working hard to get them to open up and come out of their shell, is this a candidate that is going to be confident enough to address rule infractions?

There are varying levels of performance within a team and you will have highly skilled based candidates who don’t have any struggles with CPR and fully understand what’s necessary to perform. These same candidates may not feel comfortable enforcing rules and dealing with people. These attributes are important to set them up for success. The last thing you want to do is put an individual in this role that isn’t prepared to tackle what they encounter. It’s not just lifeguard related attributes that you are looking for either. During the interview process, you should try and create an environment with the candidate that is true to your culture.

If your culture is very relaxed and team-oriented, don’t be rigid and isolate them. They may not enjoy that type of organization and you may lose a good candidate. On the flipside, you may not see how they will behave and perform in that environment. If you like the candidate in the interview, invite them to be part of your team. You can like someone based on what you’ve seen, but they may not understand the role lifeguards really play for an aquatic facility. They may lack the confidence in a scenario or not feel comfortable providing first aid. It is important that you don’t push them to do things they aren’t comfortable doing because you will lose their trust, and potentially put your facility at risk. Having team members that are passionate and committed to what they do are key to having a solid team foundation.

Step 3: How to keep your lifeguard team together

Now that you have a team that can, and wants to perform, keeping them is the next challenge. The first thing that you need to understand is that most, if not all of your team, do not want to make aquatics their career. This is not something that they necessarily will care about as much as you. So, what do they care about? Determining what motivates your team is essential in order to take good care of them. A very important aspect of this that needs to be understood is that you do not have to treat everyone equally. Now, I’m not saying that you can discriminate one team member and favor another. I’m saying that if one team member needs to have a conversation with you for some guidance, you don’t need to jump to provide the same amount of time to your whole team.

Equal and fair are two different things. You need to treat them all fairly. The time and guidance you give may be important to one team member, and a thank you and pat on the back may be what another team member needs. One team member may need a day off because of finals and another because they have a date. Both of these days are important to each individual and shouldn’t be viewed any differently. Giving each team member what they need to feel fulfilled and having a culture where your team feels like they are getting what they need, is the most important thing to remember. For your teams as a whole, it is always great to host events that get the whole team together, and what team doesn’t like a party? Also, thank you gifts such as lifeguard incentives can be used for recognition for attendance, skills, or rescues performed. These are a great idea for those individuals that want to take advantage of it.

Conclusion

Working to find, hire, and retain any team is a difficult challenge. The process starts at the beginning with finding candidates. Whatever process is in place, it’s important that you be sure to do your best to pick the right ones. Hiring the right lifeguard team stems from the interview process and the environment that you bring them into. Onboarding a team member is the first step in retaining them. Creating a great culture to work in and taking care of their needs are key things that you can do to retain a well-performing team.

What have tools and resources do you have in place for finding, hiring, and retaining your lifeguard team? Please share your stories and thoughts in the comments below.

When a dog turns 70 years old, we think that they are really 10. This idea of dog years is a way to understand the toll time takes on a dog. If dogs have dog years and the ratio is 7:1, then it kind of works the same with lifeguards. There is a big difference between seasonal facilities and facilities that are operated year round. A lifeguard that works outdoors may describe to someone that they have been a guard for two years. This would equate to two seasons at their facility or roughly six months. A year-round guard can tell someone they have two years of experience at their park and this would equate to eight seasons or 24 months. These are two very different numbers. Maybe the 24 months have been wonderful for that lifeguard and the 6 months for the seasonal lifeguard have been terrible. Operators of any aquatic facility come with their own sets of challenges in how they are managed, and what it takes to be successful. Neither is ever easy but there are things that should be understood about each.

Seasonal facilities are more like a sprint, whereas year-round facilities are a marathon. A marathon runner undoubtedly has run more miles than a sprinter. But if you ask a marathon runner to race a sprinter, chances are they’d lose. This doesn’t mean that they are not an accomplished runner. If a sprinter ran a half marathon against a distance runner, it isn’t likely their time would be better. The skills that are needed for each are just different.

For example, seasonal facilities need to do everything quickly. By the time that a challenge is recognized, evaluated, corrected, and revisited, the amount of time that could have passed may not allow for improvements during the same season. For seasonal facilities, the time it takes to make a decision and act can determine if something gets done or not. For year-round facilities, the decisions made must be well thought out as some of the consequences may impact the team or organization a few months from now. Where a seasonal facility may be closed by then, the ramifications for a year-round facility may take months and need to be considered when making decisions.

Staffing challenges can vary as well. How you recruit, hire, train, and retain your team can be very different. Staffing challenges for a seasonal facility are difficult to attempt to correct mid-season because the time it takes to recruit, hire, and onboard someone can take weeks. Trying to introduce new team members into an already close group can also be challenging. Year-round facilities contend with school years, operational hours, and trying to keep the lifeguards running that marathon. These challenges can create havoc in trying to maintain a uniform experience month to month, and may allow for incentives and motivational tactics to try and keep the team engaged throughout the seasons.

There are also differences for each segment with regards to lifeguard uniforms, lifeguard equipment, and lifeguard gear ordering and purchases. Smart spending is important, but with seasonal facilities, equipment needs must be met quickly or wait until the following year. For year-round facilities, purchases can be timed and planned accordingly. It can be difficult to wait for purchases that were planned for a few months from now. Budgeting can be a difficult task when trying to foresee needs throughout the year. Planning often includes preventative maintenance of equipment and the incorporation of the resources life expectancies. When you have a good idea of how long something will last, a buying strategy can be developed.

When you think about spending your budget dollars, you need to have a plan to build revenue as well. For seasonal facilities, barring some bad weather, you hope you’re at capacity for most of the standard 100 days. There isn’t too much room to accommodate the rollercoaster of ups and downs. For most year-round facilities, the periods of ups are most often met with periods of downs. Every operator works to market their facility and find visitors to fill the pools. However, being aware of these periods and knowing how to ride those waves is a skill set that is valuable for any year-round operator. The facility can adjust and flex up or down depending on time of year, school schedule, events and holidays, and maintenance schedules. This strategy can be the difference between red and black numbers. A couple days of sloppy performance can blow a month’s budget if not watched.

Every aquatic facility owner, officer, or operator has a set of challenges that they need to overcome. The amount of time that one has spent in aquatics should be taken into consideration when thinking about their contribution, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. There are differences about how a seasonal facility is operated and its unique needs. Operating year-round can be challenging to stay the course and keep the stamina year after year. Whether you are two years or eight seasons old, the facility you operate is distinct and requires a unique skill set to manage. Before you compare any aquatic facility, you should consider these elements and put yourself in their shoes.

Whenever the topic of “what you want to be when you grow up” is discussed, you often run across the stereotypical staples- lawyer, doctor, fireman, or policeman. When you ask someone what they want to be when they grow up, you probably have never heard someone say they wanted to be a lifeguard. Well, why not? Lifeguards are highly-skilled important parts of public safety and have the opportunity to very positively impact the lives of everyone they encounter. Lifeguards have been a big part of entertainment culture and have constantly been featured in movies and shows over decades. Lifeguarding is a seriously rewarding and enjoyable position to hold. Why isn’t it perceived that way?

One reason may be that being a lifeguard can be perceived as a teenagers’ job. Sometimes lifeguards are even seen as annoying, rude, and lazy by many people who enjoy water. But if you ask any lifeguard, this could not be further from the truth. The amount of training that lifeguards go through is extensive, and the continuing education at some facilities could be as much as a full day a month. That means over the course of a year, lifeguards could spend over two full work weeks just ensuring they can perform to the standards that are expected. The skills that are covered in these classes are in depth as well. Fifteen-year-old lifeguards are learning the same standard skills as many healthcare providers. For example, Heart.org says that 70% of Americans do not know how to perform CPR, but this is a staple skill that is taught to all lifeguards. Introduce the in-water rescues, unconscious protocols, and spinal immobilization and you have an individual that is every bit a professional rescuer and not a rude whistling teenager. These lifeguards also can perform at drastically different aquatic environments.

If you imagine where you would want to go on vacation, there is a really good chance that the destinations that came to mind have lifeguards involved. Hotel pool? Waterpark? Beach? Cruise Line? Lifeguards are most certainly going to be around to ensure that you have the best vacation possible. Wouldn’t you like to be able to work at these places? In addition to getting to experience these destinations on a daily basis, lifeguards get to often enjoy them when they are not saving guests and are able to take full advantage of all of the amenities. Some of these environments are located in remote, beautiful, and desirable places. Waterparks located in Japan, Bahamas, Germany, and Australia are always looking for qualified professional lifeguards on their teams. Hotels in the Virgin Islands, Italy, and Maldives can look to lifeguards to maintain their guest’s safety and provide a great experience. The ability to choose where you would like to bring your skills is a benefit few careers can provide to this extent. And it’s not just hotels and waterparks either.

What most individuals don’t know is that the most renowned beaches across the world play host to career lifeguards, some of which have seen more rescues and medical emergencies than you can think of. The programs at these facilities are world-renowned and elite. The equipment and resources that are used and trained on is impressive as well. SUVs, boats, and jet skis are only a few of the tools that allow elite beach front lifeguards to do what is needed to rescue day in and day out. Physically fit and tan is just an added bonus to everything else that comes from this job. These individuals often go unappreciated but allow for millions of people to enjoy themselves annually.

Whether it is indoor or outdoor, seasonal or year-round, waterpark or beach, lifeguarding is a great job. The training is great. The tan can be both a benefit and a curse. The lifeguard swag is always great, and who doesn’t collect lifeguard gear wherever you go? You have the ability to lifeguard across the globe and can always change the environment if you want to. With all of these benefits, lifeguarding is a great profession to be a part of, especially being given the chance to build lifelong relationships. There’s something about early morning in services, partnering for CPR practice, or sitting in the guard chair next to your friend in the rain that builds unmatched friendships. Lifeguards can count on their team through some unimaginable scenarios and this confidence and trust in a team will earn friends that are there through thick and thin. Some of the friendships span decades and will beat the test of time.

Lifeguards know that their days are filled with scanning, skills, and saves but the aspects of the job that are often the greatest ones may not be clearly visible. The skills that are learned may not be immediately appreciated, and the ability to perform at a world-renowned elite level may not be something that a pool lifeguard knows they can strive for. It’s not until you are working in an office at a desk that you will appreciate the opportunity a lifeguard has to go to work for a luxury resort in another country. These aspects of this profession are hard to find in other jobs that come with more respect and prestige. Lifeguarding should be respected and the lifeguards seen as professionals. People may not understand the importance of this role or the benefits that can come from it. More individuals should recognize lifeguarding as a possible lifetime journey and look at their profession with pride and fondness. It is up to lifeguards as to what they do with their careers, and it may be after you hang up your whistle for good that you recognize lifeguarding as one of the greatest jobs you can ever have.

Chances are if you head to your local pool, you will see arm floaties, lots of sunscreen, and lifeguards in red. Now this is just a guess, but red and yellow are internationally recognized as emergency colors and for as long as most can remember, lifeguards wore red. Long ago, lifeguards used to also wear suits no lifeguard today would want to wear, and the first lifeguards didn’t carry rescue tubes, blow pealess whistles, and weren’t able to perform CPR because it didn’t exist. In modern times, lifeguards are trained extensively and are tasked with performing many skills that doctors in the early 1900’s weren’t able to perform. A lot has changed for lifeguards over the years so why do we still assume that lifeguards wear red? Well the answer is that more and more, lifeguards aren’t always wearing red. Red is still a common uniform color you’ll see, but as the lifeguard profession and the aquatics industry evolves and grows, there are facilities that are increasingly turning to alternatives. Aquatic facilities are no longer just local shoeboxes in the ground. Lifeguard teams are not just a dozen local kids looking for summer jobs. Waterparks can span as much as 35 or more acres and can support staffs of 250 or more. This is a far cry from a six lane, two lifeguard pool. Aquatic facilities, in addition to their size, may also have their own identity, logos, and mascots. Even local park districts and townships are naming and branding local waterparks to better attract patrons, and theme an experience for their visitors. With the introduction of a customized aquatic facility brands, and unique looks, red uniform pieces may not allow for a cohesive professional uniform. Logos with tropical colors, or park districts that are orange and maroon, may not think that red shorts provide the look they were hoping for. The introduction of navy, orange, and royal have allowed for an option to classic red, and as this trend continues, the evolution of the lifeguard uniform continues to adapt. With the continued pursuit of more and more branding, the use of black lifeguard components has solved many marketing and branding hurdles. It is becoming a more popular color because it allows lifeguards to have a professional and integrated look. Black shorts and black suits can support nearly any combination of branded colors, and will allow the lifeguard to look like an authority, appear rescue ready, and support and promote their brand.

It’s hard to believe, but lifeguards have been on hand for over a century. Throughout this time, there have been changes to fashion and styles in society as well. Where in the 1930’s and 40’s red wasn’t a common color for swim attire, you look at a pool or park now and it is bursting with every color under the sun. Lifeguards may have stood out and been easily recognizable back then, but that may not be the case in a lot of environments today. The development of safety yellow for lifeguard uniforms has many advantages over the uniforms seen back then. Safety yellow allows for lifeguards to be seen across large facilities. Not only to be easily identified by visitors, but also for their safety. It is easy to find and determine if a lifeguard has dropped their zone from across the park without any second guessing. In addition, patrons can easily recognize how many lifeguards are up and can rest assured they are in a safe environment. Safety yellow aids in promoting a team environment because lifeguards easily find their closest teammate for support when they need it most. Red is, and will probably always be, the stereotype for what people think lifeguards wear. But as the aquatic industry, and the lifeguard profession, continues to grow and evolve, it is apparent that lifeguards that wear red may not have a place in all aquatic facilities. The introduction of alternative colors such as navy, orange, and royal have only highlighted the need for continued attention towards lifeguard uniforms that support teams in the demanding environments they perform in. Safety yellow for lifeguard uniforms has benefits that support everything from lifeguard safety to guest satisfaction. Red may have been the uniform color of choice, but as the industry and profession move forward, the question is why should lifeguards wear red anymore? Image Sources: Kiefer and Vintage Everyday

Occasionally someone will ask me, “What’s the best job you’ve ever had?” That’s an easy answer, but one that surprises some people. Maybe they’re expecting to hear either about one of my jobs in the advertising industry or working as an attorney, but instead they hear, “During college I spent four summers lifeguarding at a country club. Best job ever!” I enjoy the confused pause, but then I explain.

Prior to graduating from high school I was looking for a summer job and, after being a varsity swimmer, working as a lifeguard was an obvious choice. But I’d already done that two years earlier and I had been bored to tears. So when my prom date mentioned that her family’s country club was hiring two lifeguards I was not interested. Lucky for me she wasn’t easily put off.

She explained that the country club’s pool had a staff of seven: a dedicated pool manager, a head lifeguard who happened to be one of my swim team friends, and five other lifeguards. Plus the whole staff was on salary, had keys to everything, and received various freebies including meals and drinks from the snack shop. Perhaps best of all, they had a summer swim team. Honestly, she had me at “freebies.”

But if I thought for a moment that I was just going to waltz right into a job, I was sorely mistaken. That decision belonged to Ed, the pool manager, who was a big guy with an equally big personality. He was a young high school teacher and varsity swim coach with a lot of fans at the country club, and the whole pool area was his domain. He wasn’t shy about running things his way, and anyone who joined his staff was going to enforce his rules: no running on the deck, no jumping the fence, etc. The parents there absolutely loved it because they knew their children were going to be supervised and safe.

This pool’s environment could not have been more different from my previous experience. It was busy and fun, there was a sense of belonging, and from my first day it seemed like every club member knew my name. One day while on break I jumped into the water and wound up horsing around with some of the younger swimmers, picking them up and throwing them. Before I knew it, a line of kids had formed. When I finally climbed out of the water, exhausted, I plopped down on the bench next to Ed and said, “Whew, that’s hard work! I ought to get paid for this.” He laughed and replied, “You do.”

Speaking of the kids, there were over 100 of them on the summer swim team. Practices were held everyday, Monday through Friday, with the oldest age groups in the earliest time slots. It was a huge production that was central to the pool’s community. The swim team held such a position of prominence that the pool area didn’t open until the swim team practices ended. Parents and sunbathers weren’t even allowed inside of the fence, much to the disappointment of the uninitiated. But the membership and staff recognized that in addition to teaching an important life skill, we were also providing some built-in daycare.

I wasn’t used to being around a swim team without being involved, so pretty soon I was jumping in and swimming the workouts with the team. Before I knew it I was assigned a job during the Wednesday night swim meets “working the pits,” which meant I was our team’s Clerk of Course. The challenge was that most of our youngest swimmers didn’t come to me, I had to go find them. It was a hectic environment with kids running around the grass areas and throngs of parents milling about, but it also was an excellent way to learn all of our youngest swimmers’ names. That came in handy the following year when I became an assistant coach.

At one point Ed came up with the idea of hosting a “Swim Team Sleepover.” The idea caught fire and in no time we had plenty of parents enlisted for chaperone shifts. Of course every lifeguard was on duty that whole night, and honestly, you couldn’t have kept us away. The sleepover’s popularity became clear when, hours prior to the scheduled start time, a steady stream of parents began showing up with tents, turning the grassy parts of the pool area into one big campground. The sleepover agenda included an afternoon swim practice followed by a barbeque, two movies, and then, because the pool had an underwater lighting system, a late night swim workout. It was a big treat for the swimmers to practice after dark. Only later did we realize that the sleepover was probably even more popular with the parents. Afterwards several of them shared stories about much the fun they had while we watched their kids, and in the next breath they added, “Oh, and in case you’re wondering, you’re having a swim team sleepover every year!”

Part of the beauty of being on salary was that the guards didn’t watch the clock, and everyone pitched in as needed. There were a couple of evenings that, while riding my bike home from the gym, I passed by the country club and could see that the pool gate was chained, perhaps due to an earlier rain. But I also saw that people had jumped the fence and were using the pool. No problem. I simply rode up, unlocked the gate, and kept watch until closing time. As guards we enjoyed a lot of autonomy and trust, so most of us felt a real sense of pride and ownership.

But that doesn’t mean that we didn’t take certain liberties. We did. One of my favorites was the creation of our "Lifeguards’ Lounge." Adjacent to the pool area was a one-story building known as the Halfway House, where the golfers stopped halfway through their rounds. Our side the building housed the pool’s locker rooms, equipment closet, and lifeguards’ office, while the other side housed the snack shop. Above the lifeguard’s office was a removable ceiling panel that provided access to the low, unfinished space within the peaked roof. For years the pool staff had stored various supplies up there, but it was generally hot, dark and unappealing. So, that space didn’t get a lot of use, that is, until Andy, one of the lifeguards, found himself in a semi-homeless situation. He’d landed a prestigious internship so he was away during the week, but on the weekends he would return to us and shack up wherever he could, and he made that ceiling space his own.

One rainy weekday Andy was away at his internship, Ed wasn’t on the schedule, and several of us were hanging out, waiting to see if the weather would clear. That’s when our head lifeguard, Dave, decided to rearrange the supplies “upstairs” to create a little more space for Andy. That’s just the kind of mischief that appealed to the rest of us, and soon power tools appeared. We decided that, rather than just clearing some space, it would be infinitely better if we built an actual room. Our eyes fell on a nearby board that Ed had been planning to use for some other project, but we got to it first. After a couple of cuts, simple walls were created and nailed into place, and then a canvas bag was split open to create a flap-style door. From downstairs “Andy’s Room” was invisible.

But that was just the beginning. A heavy-duty extension cord provided electricity from downstairs. Insulation was installed and covered with tablecloths that may or may not have come from the main clubhouse. Another lifeguard, Amy, mentioned that her parents had just re-carpeted their living room, so within minutes we were over there picking up a bit of the old carpeting and all of the padding. Finally Dave provided the coup de grâce when he showed up with some ductwork and tapped into the Halfway House’s air conditioning. That’s when Andy’s Room became the Lifeguards’ Lounge, and it remained our secret hideaway until the majority of us had moved on to other jobs.

Those four summers at the country club pool hold a special place in my heart. Pursuing that job was one of the best decisions I ever made, but so was deciding to leave when I did. By the end of that fourth summer the winds of change were blowing, degrees were being earned and careers were being launched. The majority of the pool staff had already said they weren’t coming back, but I went into the off-season still on the fence. Gradually I realized that it was the people and not the place that had made my experience so great, and without them around it was better to close that chapter and preserve my cherished memories in tact. Many of the friends that I made back then are still my friends today, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

***

This is a guest post by Mark Meeker. Mark began swimming as a freshman in high school when his school completed construction of its first pool. With a brand new men’s swim team many of the members were similarly new to swimming, so it made for a remarkably welcoming environment. Mark went on to work as a lifeguard and swim coach, he played water polo in college, swam with several masters teams, married a college swimmer, and is now trying to adapt to open water swimming – despite a lousy sense of direction. You can connect with Mark on LinkedIn.

Looking for lifeguard whistles? Get advice and interesting facts about how to select the perfect whistle. Here’s your first big decision-

Choosing Pea Whistles Vs. Pealess

Lifeguard whistles can be categorized into two main types: pea whistles or peal.

Pea Whistles

Pea whistles contain a small ball or “pea”. Air pressure and currents passing through the whistle chamber cause the pea to vibrate in a patterned motion and produce a high-pitched trill or vibrato that’s hard to ignore.

The pea whistles was invented by Londoner Joseph Hudson in 1883. Hudson’s creation was submitted as to the Metropolitan police in a contest to design a device that would attract the most attention. Hudson won the contest and his creation, later called the “Acme Thunderer” is still one of the most popular whistles.

Pea Whistle Pros:

• The unmistakable trill produced by a pea whistle grabs your attention and is very commanding.
• Pea whistles are generally less costly.

Pea Whistle Cons:

Pea whistles have more moving parts, drawing criticism that they may be more difficult to clean and can fail due to jamming.

Pealess Whistles

Although once known as a less effective solution that predated pea whistles, the pealess variety experienced a resurgence in popularity due to the introduction of Ron Foxcroft’s Fox 40 whistle in 1985. Introduced as a more reliable and more hygienic alternative, Fox 40 whistles led the way for other new pealess whistles.

Pealess Whistle Pros:

• They have less moving parts, so and are less prone to failure and are easier to clean.
• Water drains easily from the sound chamber.

Pealess Whistle Cons:

They tend to be more expensive. Having trouble deciding? Get the best of both worlds- the Kiefer Tri-Power Safety Whistle uses both pea and pealess chambers.

Choosing Metal Whistles Vs. Plastic Whistles

Ultimately this comes down to personal choice, but here are some of the big differences between metal and plastic whistles:

Pro Plastic:

• Plastic floats, metal does not.
• Metal corrodes after prolonged exposure to chlorine and salt.
• Metal whistles can heat up in the sun- ouch!

Pro Metal:

Metal whistles are stronger than most plastic whistles.

What metal whistles does Kiefer carry?

Kiefer carries two different metal whistles, the Acme Thunderer and the Kiefer Deluxe. Both metal options are pea whistles. If you want a metal whistle, the Kiefer Deluxe is the way to go because it is less expensive than the Acme version inspired its design.

What Plastic whistles does Kiefer carry?

Kiefer carries seven plastic whistles.

Kiefer Brand

• Kiefer Pealess Whistle: offers a lower price option for those unwilling to pay a premium price for Acme and Fox whistles.
• Kiefer’s Tri-Power Safety Whistle: a superior, three-chambered whistle, louder than Metallica and covered by a Lifetime Guarantee.
• Kiefer Ecoguard:  economical and red plastic lifeguard whistle with a non-degradable cork

Fox 40 and Acme Plastic Whistles

Both Fox 40 and Acme Thunderer offer pealess whistles available in large and compact designs. Fox 40 & Mini Fox 40 deliver loud, shrill tones and feature self-clearing chambers. Acme Tornado 2000 bills itself as the world's most powerful lifeguard whistle at 122 decibels. It’s smaller relative, the Acme Slimline Tornado Whistle delivers analogous performance in a more compact package.

Whistle Lanyards

Whistle lanyards are a must to keep whistles handy and prevent loss. Breakaway lanyards are a bonus, preventing flailing patients from choking and injuring lifeguards, giving way to fdsorce when grabbed or tugged, instead of collaring the lifeguard. Wristband lanyards allow lifeguards to wear whistles (or keys) on the wrist instead of around the neck.

Looking for more advice on water safety?

Be sure to read our posts on Rescue Tube History, Rescue Can History, and my Accidental Lifeguards story.

See you at the pool- Robin

Lifeguard Rescue Tubes are required rescue equipment for swimming pools and waterparks. Read on to learn about the rescue tubes, their inventor, and the history of their development.

What Is A Rescue Tube?

A rescue tube is floating buoy that facilitates lifeguard water rescues, allowing rescuers wrap the rescue tube around victims. A buoy or rescue tube is a piece of lifesaving equipment used in water rescue. The buoyancy of the rescue tube helps support the weight of both the victim and rescuer, providing reassurance to distressed swimmer.

A harness with strap allows lifeguard to secure the strap to their own body. Some rescue tubes use a clip to enclose the bent tube around the victim, so it will not open up and release the victim into the water.

Rescue Tube History

Pete Peterson- Inventor Of The Rescue Tube

In 1932, 19 year old Preston "Pete" Peterson was both a championship surfer and a member of the inaugural staff of Santa Monica, California lifeguards.

Peterson was also an innovating craftsman, producing high-performance surfboards and paddleboards made from balsa and redwood.

Pete's entrepreneurial ability didn't end there. In 193,5 he invented a yellow, inflatable rescue buoy equipped with a snap hook and harness, known as the Peterson Belt, that inspired the modern day rescue tubes used by today's lifeguards.

Rescue Cans Vs. Rescue Tubes

Although truly revolutionary, the Peterson Belt criticized by some rescuers for its fragility, as it periodically deflated during rescues.

Some lifeguards preferred the intrepid Rescue Can, a floating buoy made from a aluminum or steel. Rescue Cans likely caused a trivial injuries to the rescued, but their sturdy construction resisted puncturing.

Both sides of the Rescue Can Vs. Rescue Tube argument still exist today; the debate still persists in Lifeguarding blogs and communities.

1964 The Rescue Tube Rebounds

In 1964, the problem of the deflating rescue tube was solved. The redesigned rescue tube used a single piece of highly buoyant foam rubber that was dipped into a coating of liquid rubber. The result was soft, flexible rescue device that wouldn't hurt swimmers in peril.

Modern Rescue Tube Construction

Rescue Tube Body

Bodies: Rescue tube bodies are at least 40 inches in length and are constructed from soft, vinyl-coated PVC foam. Rounded edges are ideal, creating a naturally hydrodynamic design to reduce drag as it travels through in the water. This streamlined design is also ideal for increasing the life of the vinyl coating; soft, vinyl coatings applied to rounded edges are crack-resistant by design.

Clips: Clips for fastening rescue tubes around the victim are made from a sturdy, lightweight Delrin buckles to make swimmers more comfortable and reduce the incidence of swimmer injury during rescue.

Thickness: Added thickness boosts buoyancy, making victim retrieval easier for lifeguards.

Rescue Tube Harness & Towline

Polypropylene rope is strung through the entire tube body, extending tube life by protecting the tube strap from pulling out.

A Nylon shoulder harness loops under one arm and over the opposite shoulder, allowing lifeguards to tow victims safely to shore without compromising their swim stroke. The extra wide harness dissipates force placed on the lifeguard's shoulder, making the rescue as focused and straightforward as possible.

Interested in becoming a lifeguard?

Go for it- the world needs more heroes. Check out our other lifeguarding articles about rescue cans.

See you at the pool,

Robin

The Iconic Lifeguard Rescue Can

The lifeguard Rescue Can is an iconic piece of waterfront rescue equipment.

Sometimes called a rescue buoy, the Rescue Can is made of buoyant material and is generally bright red. It includes multiple convenient handles on the sides and back. It also has a durable rope in case a lifeguard needs to throw this lifesaving tool into the water to help a distressed swimmer.

Whether at the pool or the ocean, professional lifeguards need resilient flotation devices to ensure they can rescue someone struggling in the water. The swimmer can use the Rescue Can to grab onto as they are pulled back to shore, and it makes it easier for the lifeguard to swim and save someone without exhausting their body.

The public’s awareness of the Rescue Can most likely dates back to the early 1990s, as it was commonly wielded by TV show Baywatch stars Mitch (David Hasselhoff) and C.J. (Pamela Anderson). The Rescue Can predates Baywatch by nearly 100 years, and its actual history is considerably more interesting – and far less ridiculous.

History of Rescue Cans

The Rescue Can was introduced in 1897. Its first incarnation was not overly user friendly, as it was pointed on both ends (ouch) and was made from thin sheets of galvanized steel (no wonder it became known as a "Rescue Torpedo"). The pieces of the rescue can were joined with silver solder because the technology to weld such thin metal sheeting did not exist at that time.

This steel material design may have saved many from drowning, but not without injury.

However, these early rescue buoys were not without merit. They replaced ring buoys that were harder to drag through the water and featured a shoulder harness similar to today’s buoys.

In the early 20th century, two guard teams used motorcycles equipped with Rescue Cans and a 1500 foot cable reel to patrol southern California beaches. One guard would swim out to the victim, Rescue Can in tow, while the other deployed the cable. Once the victim was reached, the guard on land would reel the rescue party back to shore.

Rescue Can Updates

Manufacturers began to experiment with other materials to improve the rescue can, offering models made from cork and balsa wood. The 1946 Kiefer catalog featured a 48-inch balsa wood “torpedo buoy” that was 6 inches in diameter and strung with “manila” rope (a natural fiber produced from a species of banana plant grown in the Philippines).

In the mid-1940s, some steel rescue cans were replaced by aluminum cans, allowing a lighter weight and rounded ends to minimize injury during lifesaving.

Fast Forward 50 Years To 1970 — The Modern Rescue Can

In 1970, the Secretary of the National Surf Life Saving Association of America, Captain Bob Burnside, met with industrial designer Ron Rezek to redesign the Rescue Can. Rezek knew that contemporary plastic molding techniques could produce a seamless, watertight container.

Rezek created a torpedo-shaped design, added strategically placed handles, and the Burnside Buoy was born.

Rescue Can Construction

Rescue Can Buoy

Modern lifeguard Rescue Can buoy bodies are hard and lightweight, made from rotational molded polyethylene plastic. The molding process creates a hollow, air-filled buoy, causing the Rescue Can to be extremely buoyant and able to support multiple victims during rescues.

Polyethylene is an excellent choice of materials because it is shatter-resistant and highly durable due to its high resistance to chemicals and temperature extremes. Molded handles allow lifeguards to easily hand the Rescue Can to victims. The handles allow victims to maintain a firm and reassuring hold on the rescue buoy.

Rescue Can Harness & Towline

A shoulder harness made from Nylon webbing, looped under one arm and over the opposite shoulder, allows the rescuer to tow victims safely to shore without interfering with their swim stroke.

Towlines are generally made from braided polypropylene rope and are approximately 7 feet (84 inches) in length to allow adequate towing distance, discouraging distressed victims from pouncing on rescuers.

How to Use a Lifeguard Rescue Can

Typically, a lifeguard has a Rescue Can by their side or strapped across their shoulders at all times. This lifesaving flotation device allows them to swim out to a person in trouble and bring them back to shore without putting their own safety at risk. There are several ways a lifeguard can use a Rescue Can, depending on the state of the swimmer being saved.

Swimming Out With the Rescue Can

For those within a reasonable swimming distance, a lifeguard can swim out to the distressed swimmer with the Rescue Can. Before jumping into the water, a lifeguard must identify the best mode of entry. There are a variety of factors to consider, including the position of their lifeguard station, the water's depth, other people or obstacles in the way, and the condition of the swimmer.

Once they assess the situation, the lifeguard swims quickly to the distressed swimmer. The Rescue Can is held above and in front of them in the water as they kick their legs to propel themselves forward. Once they reach the person in need of saving, the lifeguard instructs them to grab on tightly to the Rescue Can's handles so that the lifeguard can pull them to safety. Because each device is designed with multiple handles, a lifeguard can rescue more than one victim at a time if needed.

Throwing a Rescue Can

If the swimmer in need of help is either close by or too far out to reach by swimming, a lifeguard may choose to throw the Rescue Can into the water, similar to a lifesaving tube. In this situation, the durable ropes come in handy.

A lifeguard Rescue Can must be thrown carefully, ideally landing just beyond the distressed swimmer. Once the Rescue Can is within reach, the lifeguard directs them to grab onto the handles on the side or back so they can be pulled using the attached rope. The lifeguard then carefully drags the swimmer back to safety. This method can also be used to save multiple victims.

Throwing a Rescue Can is a less desirable rescue method as it does not guarantee that the lifesaving device will reach the swimmer in time.

Rescue Cans vs. Rescue Tubes

Although more soft, flexible Rescue Tubes have gained popularity at swimming pools over the last 30 years, Rescue Cans are still a staple in waterfront rescue equipment.

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed looking up at the Chicago Park District lifeguards during my swim as they carefully watch over countless swim waves during the Chicago Triathlon. Their attention is laser-focused on safety, ready to offer assistance (and lifesaving) as needed – bright red Rescue Cans at their sides.

If your lifeguard team needs high-quality Rescue Cans, count on one of the most trusted names in lifesaving water equipment — Kiefer Aquatics. Contact us today to learn how we can meet your team's specific needs.

It Could Happen To Anyone - Even "Big, Hard Heroes"

A few weeks ago, I wrote how Stacey Kiefer and I become accidental lifeguards, saving a distressed boater from drowning. I suspect many swimmers out there have also been able to help others escape near-drowning situations - thanks for all you do!

Last night Stacey and I watched the film "127 Hours", the incredible true story of Aron Ralston, an adventurer forced to severe his arm to escape certain death during a solo canyoning hike gone wrong. During the film, Ralston realizes he failed to tell anyone about his hiking destination (preventing any rescue efforts) due to his conceit from being a "big, hard hero."

This really resonated with me. Getting in serious trouble can happen to anyone - and it happened to me.

Taking Water And Life For Granted

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="121"] Robin Kiefer, Age 6[/caption]

In Kiefer family culture, survival swimming isn't discussed because its a foregone conclusion. All Kiefers swim and we don't wear life vests in open water.

I learned to swim when I was 2 - and many would argue that my speed never increased since then.

In any case, I was raised to be fearless in water.

Perhaps that's how I found myself body surfing alone at Gillson beach in Wilmette, Illinois at the ripe old age of 6.

Surf's Up & I'm Down

I'd heard my father, Jack Kiefer, talk about body surfing before. He told me that big waves made for the best body surfing.

So one wavy summer day, I managed to slip away undetected from a large family picnic at Gillson park, to chase big waves at the beach.

The lake was warm and wavy, and I quickly learned to take advantage of the large and long breaking waves that rolled into the beach. The liberating feeling of swimming without parents and the thrill of body surfing were a potent combination. I repeatedly rode waves to shore and headed back out to deeper water for more entertainment.

Don't Try This At Home - Or Anywhere Else!

[caption id="attachment_737" align="alignleft" width="165"] Gillson Beach[/caption]

It didn't take long for me to grow tired frolicking in the heavy surf, and I began to struggle in the larger waves that formed as I drifted to new areas of the beachfront.

A large breaking wave pushed me deep underwater. I fought my way to the surface just as another huge way smashed down, driving me to the depths below again, and again.

I struggled, panicked, and blacked out.

The Lifeguard - My Savior

I regained consciousness, opened my eyes, and stared up into the face of my rescuer, a comparatively giant female guard with blond hair - wearing a bright red lifeguard swimsuit.

She carried me to shore and deposited me directly into the arms of my horrified father, who had just arrived at the scene with my mother.

Needless to say, I was done swimming for the day.

The Most Important Swim Lesson

I never got the name of the lifeguard that day. I'll never forget her, the renewed lease on life she gave me, and the important lesson I learned that day.

No matter what age, never let your feelings of expertise overrule the need for basic safety precautions.

Ignoring common sense could cause you to learn the toughest lesson - one that is not uncommonly taught to the "big, hard hero."

- Robin Spencer Kiefer

Check out my recent thoughts about open water swim safety and how I became an accidental lifeguard.

I know I'm not the only one out there to have been saved - I'd love to hear your comments.