Vigilance in Aquatic Supervision

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The lifeguard’s performance is heavily influenced by their level of attention. Aquatic supervision is a demanding task that requires constant vigilance. Understanding the factors that reduce or enhance vigilance is essential to adopting measures that help maintain alertness.

A vigilant lifeguard actively looks for signs of a person in distress, focusing on recognizing an inert body at the bottom of the water or a non-swimmer at the surface.

The lifeguard must quickly identify a person in distress (critical signal) among a crowd of swimming-related behaviors (non-critical signals). For example, drowning can begin underwater, such as during a shallow water blackout, and becomes extremely difficult to detect in the presence of numerous non-critical signals.

The following mechanisms are associated with heightened vigilance:

  • High levels of concentration
  • Attention to relevant cues (signs of drowning)
  • Efficient detection of individuals in difficulty
  • Quick decision-making
  • Prompt intervention

Errors of omission or false detection are normal, as vigilance is never 100% reliable, and errors occur independently of the lifeguard’s intent.

In cases of doubt, the lifeguard must intervene immediately. It is better to act quickly in a false alarm than to fail to intervene or intervene too late.

Evaluate daily aquatic supervision practices and share your findings with colleagues. Prepare assessments using mystery clients. Share information about at-risk swimmers, dangerous behaviors, the number of preventive interventions, and the frequency of distractions with the lifeguard team. Discuss drowning incidents in the news during training sessions. Address best practices in supervision, different types of visual scanning, the importance of moving the head constantly, proper surveillance positions, identifying reflections, and techniques for effectively monitoring the pool bottom. Stay active during supervision and breaks: enter the water, perform a sprint to raise your heart rate to 130–150 bpm, rotate frequently (every 15–20 minutes), patrol in and around the water, and avoid remaining passive.

Enhancing Vigilance

  • Supervision and encouragement
  • Modeling good supervision practices
  • Aerobic exercises
  • Visual scanning with constant head movement

The swimming area environment does not naturally promote lifeguards’ vigilance. For example, exposure to sun and heat reduces concentration levels. For this reason, when on a lifeguard chair, use an umbrella to protect yourself from the heat. Remember that drug use is entirely incompatible with supervisory duties. Refer to the Spring/Summer 2011 Alerte Plus for tips on staying vigilant, particularly in summer heat conditions.

Reducing Vigilance

  • Lack of sleep
  • Heat exposure
  • Recreational drug use
  • Task monotony

A good night’s sleep before a workday and supervision during shifts help maintain vigilance and ensure the best possible performance in aquatic supervision.

Maintaining an adequate level of vigilance in aquatic supervision is a shared responsibility between the lifeguard and the swimming area operator.

References

  • Lépine, François. “Demeurer vigilant sans devenir une victime.” Alerte Plus Spring/Summer 2011: 20.
  • Mollard, Régis. “Limites de la surveillance humaine chez les MNS (maîtres nageurs sauveteurs).” Lebihain, Pascal. Surveillance des piscines publiques. Paris: Juris édition, 2014. 208.
  • Page, Jenny. “Vigilance.” Bierens, Joost L.L.M. Drowning Prevention, Rescue, Treatment. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, 2014. 1269.
  • Lifesaving Society. “Hyperventilation et retenue répétitive de la respiration.” 2016. http://www.lifesaving.ca/que-faisons-nous/gestion-de-la-securite-aquatique/?lang=fr