YWCA

Lifeguard Handbook
A training and reference manual

Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3
The Workplace ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Shift and Schedules................................................................................................................................ 3
Starting your shift .............................................................................................................................. 3
Ending your shift................................................................................................................................ 3
Shift Schedules and Payment ............................................................................................................ 3
Expectations........................................................................................................................................... 4
You can expect us to ........................................................................................................................... 4
We expect you to ................................................................................................................................ 4
Employee Safety..................................................................................................................................... 4
Public Representation ........................................................................................................................... 4
As a representative of YWCA ............................................................................................................. 4
Rules and Enforcement ............................................................................................................................. 5
Patrons may not ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Enforcing the rules ................................................................................................................................ 6
On duty lifeguards must .................................................................................................................... 6
On or off the clock .............................................................................................................................. 6
When dealing with patrons ................................................................................................................ 6
Emergencies .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Patron Injury.......................................................................................................................................... 7
Weather .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Thunderstorms................................................................................................................................... 7
Tornadoes ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Fire ......................................................................................................................................................... 7

Introduction
We have written this handbook in order to provide you with an understanding of the YWCA Aquatic
Center and our commitment to our patrons, to guide you in your responsibilities as a YWCA employee,
and to assist you with a consistent approach to carrying out our policies and procedures.

The Workplace
Shift and Schedules
Starting your shift

Report to work 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time.

Be at your designated position by the time classes or open swim begins.

Ending your shift

Take the pool rope down two minutes before the swim period ends.
Check the water carefully once the swim period has ended.
Make sure to hang up all of the PFDs, rinse them off with the hose, and allow them to
dry before you leave.

Shift Schedules and Payment

Keep an accurate count of your hours on your time card, and punch out on breaks.
Obtain a substitute lifeguard and permission from the Aquatic Director if you need to
miss a shift.
Sign your payroll sheet on time. Failing to do so can interfere or prevent payment.

Expectations
You can expect us to

Be fair, honest and respectful.

Periodically evaluate your performance and give you feedback.
Provide information and keep you posted on new programs.
Provide supplies and material necessary to do your job.
Provide support for your decisions when you are following YWCA policies.
Respond to your questions and concerns.

We expect you to

Attend all staff meetings and training sessions. These meeting are mandatory.
Follow all of the rules and regulations in this book. Your employment is contingent on it.
Communicate effectively and consistently. Give written and verbal feedback about
suggestions, complaints, problems, and situations to the Aquatic Director as well to your
coworkers.
Keep watch for messages or guard meeting on the black board in the lifeguard office.
Take the time to get to know those you work with. The YWCA staff is a team.

Employee Safety

Handle all chemicals appropriately. See chemical safety sheets.

Lift heavy objects with proper technique. Use your legs, rather than your back.
Follow safety guidelines when handling electrical equipment.
Make daily checks of the locker rooms. Note any potential hazards.

Public Representation
As a representative of YWCA

Keep the desk area & pool deck clean.

Respond immediately to a patrons questions or presence by smiling, nodding, or asking
if you may help. If you cannot immediately respond, at least acknowledge their presence
by indicating that you will be with them in a moment.
Wear attire that will identify you as a lifeguard.

Rules and Enforcement

Patrons may not

Bring towels or breakable objects into the pool area.

Consume tobacco or alcohol in the pool area.
Dive, jump from, or hang onto starting blocks.
Enter the pool without showering.
Enter the pool if they have lesions, discharges, bandages, or communicable diseases.
Hang on the rope in the pool.
Run or engage in horseplay in the pool, deck, or lockers.
Swim in the deep end if they require floats or the pool edges to support themselves.
Use the diving board in an unsafe manner. This includes multiple patrons using the
diving board at once, diving with a face mask, diving without looking, double bounding,
swimming in the diving area, or flipping off the board.
Use kickboards or leg buoys for anything other than lap swims or Y Teams.
Use profane language or disrupt other patrons experience.

Enforcing the rules

On duty lifeguards must

Avoid chatting with coworkers and patrons. When you do talk, face the pool.
Be ready to act at all times.
Never ever leave the pool when swimmers are in it.
Never try to watch every patron all the time, though it is helpful to make note of poor
swimmers.
Scan the entire pool continuously, making special note of the shallow end, the diving area,
and the deck area.

On or off the clock

Do not swim in the pool alone.

Make sure that when there are more than ten patrons in the pool, one lifeguard is on the
chair or standing on the deck so that they have a complete view of the pool.
Remain at the pool after your shift until the next lifeguard arrives. Do not take a break to
eat unless there are at least two guards on duty.

When dealing with patrons

Do not eat on the pool deck. You may bring drinks.

Do not shout.
Do your best to be polite and even-handed when dealing with patrons, and enforce the
rules consistently.
If patrons are belligerent, do not argue with them, and refer them to the Aquatic Director.
If you see a patron breaking the rules, call them to you and explain what they did.
The whistle is a useful tool for getting patrons attention, but not if it is overused.

Emergencies
Patron Injury

After an accident, fill out an accident report and leave it on the Aquatic Directors desk.
During serious water accidents, clear the pool of swimmers.
If a patron is seriously injured, administer first aid and call the front office, who will alert
a physician.
If a patron is slightly injured, send them to the swimming pool office for first aid.
If you see a patron struggling in the pool, extend the rescue pole to them and pull them
to the edge of the pool. Enter the water only as a last resort.
Know where the first aid and rescue equipment are at all times. If you use them, put
them back when you have finished.
Wear gloves when administering first aid for an open wound.

Weather
Thunderstorms

Clear the pool and move the patrons to the locker rooms.
Do not allow anyone to swim during the storm.
Do not use the telephone, except in an emergency.
Warn patrons not to use showers.

Tornadoes

1. Clear the pool area

2. Move the patrons to the dressing rooms or basement.
3. Move to the dressing rooms or basement with the patrons once you have cleared the
pool area.
4. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. Try to keep patrons away from them,
as well.

Fire

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Call 911.
Evacuate the pool area.
Check the locker room for patrons.
Leave the building once you have made sure everyone else has left safely.
Administer first aid if necessary.