Legal Lines (Standard of Care, Negligence, Liability)
When do you owe a standard of care?
As soon as you’re on duty and watching the pool.
What’s the meaning of a single short whistle blast?
Get a patron’s attention.
What’s the first thing you do during a rotation?
Make eye contact and confirm coverage with the next guard.
What is a Extensive Coverage?
Lifeguard(s) responsible for whole pool area
When should you step in to educate a patron?
Before a risk becomes a problem.
If you're scanning properly but miss a weak swimmer, are you negligent? Think of this swimmer as they don't need to be rescued they are just slowly making there way to the deep end
Not automatically. It depends on whether your scanning met NL standards.
What does two short whistle blasts tell other guards?
I need help or guard-to-guard alert.
From your position, you can’t see a key part of your zone. What now?
Move or ask for support. You need full visibility.
How long should it take you to scan your designated zone
10–30 second scanning window: is the time it should take for a lifeguard to complete a full and effective scan of their designated supervision zone
What’s the difference between a hazard and a risk?
A hazard is something that can cause harm (like water or equipment). A risk is the chance someone could actually get hurt by it — like drowning or injury.
A lifeguard intervenes with a high-risk dive but uses a skill they weren’t trained in and causes harm. What legal concept applies?
Negligence. They acted outside their scope of training — breaching standard of care.
When would you use a long whistle blast?
Major emergency — clear the pool now.
During a rotation, what must both guards do before switching spots to make sure supervision is never lost?
Maintain visual contact, signal with "guard alert," and confirm that the zone is still covered before moving
What scanning Pattern is this? a guard is watching from top left to bottom right corners. What pattern is this?
Zig-Zag
What’s a respectful way to redirect a weak swimmer from deep water?
"Let’s stick to shallow — you’ll be safer and still have fun."
When can YOU be held personally liable for an incident?
If you act outside your training or completely fail your responsibilities.
What exactly do you tell EMS during a emergency
❑Speak slowly and be clear
❑Know the situation and victim(s) condition
❑Name and Age (e.g., baby, toddler, child, teen, adult, older adult)
❑Condition (e.g., ABCs, conscious/unconscious, medical emergency)
❑What happened (e.g., swimming laps and chest began to hurt)
❑Know where to direct EMS when they arrive (e.g., north doors)
What are the three standard lifeguard positions?
Chair, standing, and strolling.
Is a slide guard responsible for their own area and the whole pool?
No. They're responsible for their slide zone only.
How can lifeguards role-model professionalism?
Look alert, stand tall, wear uniform, scan constantly.
A parent ignores your warning, their child gets hurt. Are you still responsible?
Probably not. You did your part — they didn’t follow your direction.
What does the Missing Adult Hand Signal Look like. Show ME!!!
.
What are the main duties of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd guards during an emergency?
1st Guard: Signal, enter, assess ABCs
2nd Guard: Assist with rescue and removal
3rd Guard: Evacuate patrons, contact EMS, bring equipment
You’re scanning and spot a child clinging to the wall, low in the water, with no parent nearby. You compare what you see to known risk signs like fatigue, inexperience, or separation.
What scanning technique are you using?
Profiling — you’re matching behavior to known signs of potential distress.
How many Physicals do we want to do today!