Photo Credit: Courtesy of Waterford Recreation and Parks Department
What do some parents see when they think about a lifeguard? A kid sitting in a big chair working on a tan? Someone trying to boss swimmers around just to prevent them from having fun? And then there are the few parents who believe a lifeguard’s job is to babysit their kids. A lifeguard’s primary responsibility is to maintain patron surveillance by monitoring the water and being ready to act when an emergency arises. That means everyone in the water—not just children. But it’s still important for parents to do their job, too.
The View From An Intern
An adult with small children needs to be in the water with the kids or near the water to keep an eye on them. As a lifeguard who began working at a beach when I was 16, I know firsthand how difficult this job can be. I know what it is like to see a beach so packed that I cannot even see the sand because of all the towels laid out. On days like that, the view of the water is even worse; there are too many people to count. Parents need to be aware that a child can go under the water without anyone noticing, even when a lifeguard is on duty. If parents need to leave the beach for any reason, they must take the child with them.
I have also seen parents run in after their kids before I even had a chance to react. I really do appreciate parents who pay close attention to their child, but being there does not take away all of the risk. While lifeguards are ready to help and know how to respond, parents are the first line of defense to prevent drowning.