Kurt, it's not as fun as it sounds!
The cartoon above is not exaggerated. Back when lifeguards got certified old school style, if an active drowning victim attacked you, the procedure was that you punched them in the gut to make them back off. Now this of course is not done anymore and I don’t think the American Red Cross plans on reviving this anytime soon. However, it does give older lifeguards an opportunity to scare the new ones who are fresh from training and green on experience.
Gerardo, a friend of mine told me a hilarious story of re-certifying years later to become a beach lifeguard. During an in-service training session, he was paired up with his friend for “escapes.” Though it was the 21st century, he went by the original training. His friend replied, “That’s not how you do it anymore!” Whether he wasn’t updated on the new material, or if it was mischief amongst friends, I may never know.
The procedure that is used now is the “Suck, tuck and duck” method which is explained below.
Gerardo, a friend of mine told me a hilarious story of re-certifying years later to become a beach lifeguard. During an in-service training session, he was paired up with his friend for “escapes.” Though it was the 21st century, he went by the original training. His friend replied, “That’s not how you do it anymore!” Whether he wasn’t updated on the new material, or if it was mischief amongst friends, I may never know.
The procedure that is used now is the “Suck, tuck and duck” method which is explained below.
As you can see, the new method is more efficient but not as entertaining. But of course, someone has to write about it. So remember, if you find yourself at a pool with well seasoned lifeguards, don’t try any tricks. Old lifeguards know all of them!
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