We are all creatures of habit. If we haven’t been taught to hear or acknowledge instruction, we will make mistakes. Kurt is making the argument that bad decisions should have consequences, but not every deed in this world will be punished. This cartoon was created from a story that really should have scared me away from lifeguarding, but because it was told from a humorous perspective, it convinced me that I could overcome stressful situations.

About 10 years ago, I overheard two guys discussing the trials they encountered while lifeguarding at an outdoor pool. These two were obviously best buds, but it was clear that they were trying to one-up the other, even if it meant a little bending of the truth. One of them started explaining to his friend about the pool deck having a slight dip where water would collect. Kids would run back and forth, time and time again not heeding his warning to walk on the pool deck. Eventually a kid slipped and began bleeding “everywhere” he said, exaggerating with big arms. Or so the story goes.

Don’t worry gentle reader:  Apparently, the kid was able to walk away after a little first aid and ice. When this guy finished his story, I remember the words he exclaimed quite vividly,“I truly felt bad for the kid, but there was also a part of me, in the back of my mind, that said, ‘I tried to tell you!’ ” And now you see why I chose Kurt for the strip.

On Instagram: It's Inktober! So check it out!
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The long days of hot summer heat are coming upon us again. Lifeguards don’t always look forward to this season because of the fluctuation in patronage. Being near the water presents unpredictable circumstances and sometimes fatal ones. Here is a re-post of the water safety tips from last year. It is a good reminder for all of us.
 
 
General Safety Tips:
Always have an understanding of the rules at each destination where you swim.
 
Always swim with a buddy. Whether you are young or old, a beginner or a competitive swimmer, never swim alone.
 
Always stay hydrated by drinking water or eating hydrating snacks (popsicles, watermelon or other fruit), especially when outdoors.
 
Always use sun protection: hats, clothing, and lotions which are SPF 15+.
 
No lifeguard on duty:
Hotel pools are the best example of “Swim at your own risk.” Parents are the lifeguards at these pools. Please teach children that they must wait for parent’s permission before entering the pool area and before they enter the water. Be aware of all children in the water. Be vigilant!
 
Lifeguard on duty:
Lifeguards are employed for safety. Parents should be present and keep an eye on children. With a lifeguard on duty, you don’t have to watch them like a hawk, but be present to help with understanding and following of rules.
 
Lake/Beach:
Always swim in the designated area. If the area is not defined, be cognizant of how far you venture out because it’s difficult to determine depth in murky water.
 
Remove any objects that are unsafe. Let a lifeguard know if there is a dangerous object in the water. (Jellyfish, broken glass, large branches)
 
Boating:
In states where no life jacket law is in place, the US Coast Guard mandates that anyone under the age of 13 years wear a life vest. So the best rule is this: Always wear a life jacket when you are boating!
 
Stay safe, and have a great summer!

​When lifeguarding during recreational swim, it’s easy to feel too forceful, too stern and sometimes bossy when enforcing rules. The ultimate question is, “At what point does the activity becomes unsafe?”
 
Since my people skills are strong, some kids will ask me the reason for the rule that I am enforcing. Generally, I have the patience and the time to briefly describe why.
 
Young children are the best students because they will always ask questions. For some, simply telling them it’s wrong isn’t enough for them to stop, especially if they don’t understand why the activity is unsafe. Communication is often the key to keeping safety a priority.   

Take the time to tell young people the why for the rules.

​This week’s blog and cartoon is written by a former co-worker and friend of mine, Kendy Madden. It is about her experiences and retirement from lifeguarding.

Retirement  by Kendy Madden

Most people train to be lifeguards when they are in high school. I didn’t learn the necessary skills until I was in my mid 60s. I was motivated because I needed money for an upcoming adventure, and already worked at a pool as a water aerobics exercise leader.
 
While I have spent most of my life around pools, lakes and oceans and the opportunities each provides, most of it had been for recreation purposes, all about myself, rather than anyone else.
 
Watching accomplished swimmers cruise their laps flawlessly was hypnotic and, frankly, boring. It was the guarding of swim lesson participants, children and adults, as they struggled to acquire skills and conquer fears that made guarding exciting and purposeful for me. I admired the high school swim team kids who would climb out of warm beds in predawn winter darkness to practice for the next meet.
 
One of the things I found most difficult about guarding was my inability at times to separate my professional obligations from my parental opinions. Watching a pack of teenaged boys relentlessly chase a female camp mate around the pool in hopes of touching her got my whistle to my mouth one day. I told her I would stop them if she wanted a break from their ardor. She game me a smile and a giggle, replied that she liked it and swam off with the young swains in hot pursuit. The mother in me shivered.
 
It was with mixed feelings that I retired from guarding. The prospect of a wrenched shoulder from an overzealous rescue during training sessions, the 4:30 am wake-up alarm to be on time for the first guard shift of the day, and the hair in the drains overshadowed the sense of security that I felt I provided for the patrons. Becoming a lifeguard has changed me and my relationship to water forever. I will never stop watching all those around me who dip their toes into that perilous and delicious elixir, be it salty, sweet or chlorinated.

​In my experience as a lifeguard, the place where kids slip and fall most often is around a zero entry ramp. Because water is tracked in and out of the pool frequently, it makes the surface very slick. One summer, two kids during recreational swim wanted to test limits by running down the ramp into the water. They stopped when I said, “Don’t try it!” Actually, it’s not only kids that have fallen on the ramp; I’ve witnessed adults falling also. In every case, the rail wasn’t being held and patrons were either running or walking swiftly into the pool.
 
Speed and water don’t mix; same is true for driving a car in the rain. Logically, the only time zero entry ramps should be used is when used properly, holding the rail while walking into the pool.