Employee Handbook
What is Your Job as a Lifeguard?
As a Longmeadow Parks and Recreation Department (LPRD) Aquatic Staff Member, you have been chosen for your maturity, emergency skills, and ability to prevent accidents and provide a safe, enjoyable experience for our patrons.
Refusal of Assistance
If at any time an adult refuses first aid, paramedic or other medical assistance when you believe it necessary, completely fill out an accident report stating the nature of the situation and that assistance was refused. Be sure to have the patron sign the form.
What do EAP, AED, and EMS stand for?
How Would you Treat and Small Cut?
Clean the wound and apply and adhesive bandage.
Signs of Distressed Swimmer
Able to keep their face out of the water.
Able to call for help.
Able to wave for help.
Horizontal, vertical or diagonal, depending on what they use to support themselves. Floating, sculling or treading water.
Who are we Licensed by and What is the Dress Code?
The Board of Health. The Dress Code is as follows:
The official GUARD uniform is required each day while on duty. Returning staff may wear their uniform from the previous season. Your LPRD-issued t-shirt, tank top, or sweatshirt must be worn as a cover- up—no other outer garments are permitted. On cooler days, guards may wear the LPRD-issued GUARD sweatshirt or their own sweatshirt/jacket, provided it does not display any inappropriate logos or messaging. Only the LPRD GUARD baseball hat, a plain white hat, or a plain white visor may be worn while on duty. Bathing suit straps must remain on the shoulders at all times. Altering LPRD uniforms in any way is strictly prohibited. Sunglasses of any type may be worn while on duty. Jewelry should be minimal. Sunscreen will be available if needed.
First Aid Major and Minor
1. Access the Victim (wearing gloves, perform necessary first aid. Do not move the victim unless immediate danger.
2. Do not leave victim unattended.
3. If necessary call EMS
4. Additional Aquatic Staff will assist as needed and will keep patrons and crowds away from the accident area and victim.
5. If major: an accident report must be filled out by the staff performing the rescue. If the Pool Manager is not present, The Pool Manager will then be called and will make the Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation aware of the situation.
Difference Between 1 Person and 2 Person CPR on an Infant
First rescuer performs cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths. When second rescuer returns, perform cycles of 15 compressions and 2 breaths
Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Illness (Give 5)
Changes in LOC, Nausea or vomiting, Difficulty speaking or slurred speech, Numbness or weakness, Loss of vision or blurred vision, Changes in breathing; the person may have trouble breathing normally, Changes in skin color, sweating, Persistent pressure or pain, Diarrhea, Paralysis or an inability to move, Severe headache.
Signs of Drowning - Active VS Passive
Active
Struggling to stay afloat, Trying to breathe, but can't effectively, visibly struggling on surface, may be bobbing up and down, struggling to stay afloatPassive Drowning
Motionless and Submerged, Not breathing, may be silent, with minimal surface activity, face down, either submerged or near the surface
Employee Callout Procedure and What is the App we Use Called?
You are required to call the Pool Manager or Assistant Director by 7am if you are ill. Summer seasonal employees are not paid for time or days not worked. The app is called WhentoWork
Water Rescue Basic - Active Drowning Victim
1. The Lifeguard will activate the EAP by signaling with their whistle that he or she is entering the water to perform a rescue.
2. Additional Aquatics Staff and/or the Pool Manager on duty will respond and assist the rescue (if needed), escort other patrons to safety and out of the area of rescue, and gather any necessary medical equipment.
3. If necessary EMS are called by a member of the Aquatic Staff and a clear entrance for EMS will be made ready.
4. Upon removal of the victim from the water, they will be reassessed and tended to as needed by the Lifeguard.
5. An accident report must be filled out by the staff performing the rescue.
6. If the Pool Manager is not present, the Pool Manager will then be called and will make the Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation aware of the situation.
When to Perform CPR
Unresponsiveness (doesn't respond to tapping or shouting), Not breathing normally (isn't breathing or gasping for air, No pulse felt after 10 seconds
How Would Care for a Nosebleed?
Lean victim slightly forward to prevent swallowing or choking of blood. Pinch nostrils for about 5-10 minutes or until bleeding stops. Advise victim to not blow or rub nose this could restart the bleeding.
Best Prevention of Drownings - Effective Surveillance (What goes into it?)
Upright posture and correct position, all needed equipment (i.e., rescue tube, whistle, hip pack, appropriate attire.), minimizing distractions (i.e., not diverting full attention to patrons, day dreaming), well-rested and well-hydrated, ensure 30-second scan, actively look for dangerous behavior / acting on it, know when to signal for assistance (i.e., blind spot, need for additional coverage), set of eyes on water at all times, correct rotation
How do you Handle Patron Concerns?
1. Listen empathetically to their problem and try to understand their position.
2. Be honest and sincere.
3. Explain your role and any limitations to the patron. Express willingness to seek out a resolution, even if you cannot directly provide it, by involving a Pool Manager. Remind them that you have the same goal: resolving their problem.
4. Follow-up with the member to make sure they are happy with the outcome.
Weather Emergencies
1. Rain: If the lifeguards can clearly see the bottom of the pool and there is no thunder/lightening; patrons may still be in the pool. This is up to the Pool Manager’s discretion of what they feel is safe for the patrons.
2. Thunder/Lightening: Lifeguards will clear the pool immediately when thunder/lightening occurs. Patrons will be allowed back in the water 30 minutes after the last thunder/lightening.
3. Tornado: Lifeguards will clear the pool and ensure that the Playground will be quickly and safely evacuated. When the tornado passes, staff will assess the pools environment and take
care of any damage. This is to ensure using the pool and the facility is still safe for the staff and patrons.
4. Call and make the Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation aware of closing and re-opening of the facility.
American Red Cross CPR guidelines
Questions to Ask When Responding to Injuries and Illnesses (Give 4)
Should I provide care where the victim was found, or move them to the first aid room?
Is the safety of the victim of others comprimised?
Is there a risk of further injury to the victim?
Is there a risk of exposing the victim or others to pathogens?
Should I summon EMS personnel?
When should I recommend that the victim see a healthcare provider to seek further medical treatment?
How Would you Perform Active Victim Front Rescue?
Procedure: Approach from the front; extend rescue tube and tell the victim to grab on; position it underneath their armpits; keep arms locked and extended while kicking towards exit point (i.e. other pool wall)
What is the Three-Step Employee Discipline Policy?
1. A verbal warning will be given on the first occurrence of the problem. The camp Director will explain clearly what the problem is and how it can be corrected. This warning will be documented in your file.
2. If the same type of problem occurs a 2nd, time a written warning will be given to the employee and placed in their file.
3. On the 3rd infraction of the same type of problem, disciplinary action will be taken which may entail terminating the employee.
Water Rescue (EMS needed) Passive/Spinal Cord Injury
1. The Lifeguard will activate the EAP by signaling with their whistle that he or she is entering the water to rescue a patron that is passive or has a suspected spinal cord injury.
2. Additional Aquatic staff will immediately call 911 and ensure EMS have a clear entrance.
3. Additional Aquatic staff and the Pool Manager on duty will respond and assist the rescue (if needed), escort other patrons to safety and out of the area of rescue, and gather any necessary medical equipment.
4. Upon removal of the victim from the water, they will be reassessed and tended to as needed by the Lifeguard.
5. Lifeguards will tend to victim until EMS arrive and take over.
6. An accident report must be filled out by the staff performing the rescue.
7. If the Pool Manager is not present, the Pool Manager will then be called and will make the Assistant Director of Recreation aware of the situation.
What do you Need to Before Administering Care on a Patron?
1. Safety and Initial Assessment - Check the Scene for Safety, Obtain consent, use proper PPE,
2. Perform Rapid Assessment (Check for Responsiveness, Breathing, Life-threatening Conditions, Start CPR and First Aid if needed.
How Would you Care for Internal Bleeding While Waiting for EMS Personnel to Arrive?
1. Care for any-life threatening conditions first
2. Help victim rest in a comfortable position
- If there are signs and symptoms of shock, lay the person flat.
3. Monitor the victims condition, and watch for any changes in LOC
4. Keep the victim from getting chilled
5. Care for other problems that develop, such as vomiting
How Would you Rescue a Submerged Victim in Deep Water?
Victim is at the bottom of the deep end
Procedure: Head first or feet first surface dive until you are behind the victim, letting the rescue tube trail above you; reach one arm (right arm) underneath the victim's armpit (right); use your other hand to pull down the rescue tube line and shift it to your right hand; repeat this motion by pulling down and grabbing with your right until you reach the surface; when near the surface reach for the end of the rescue tube and force it between you and the victim so that when you reach to the surface you can position the victim's head on your shoulder as you kick on your back to the wall; backboard the victim