RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Division of Parks & Recreation Office 401-667-6200 1100 Tower Hill Road Fax 401-667-3970 North Kingstown, RI 02852 Website www.riparks.com

04/07/2021

Guidelines for lifeguard certification

The guidelines below summarize steps Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) is taking to certify lifeguards during the COVID-19 emergency. The guidelines are in addition to current executive orders, RIDOH regulations, and applicable state guidance. If you have questions regarding lifeguard certification or these guidelines, please contact Tom Rosa at 401-667-6200 or [email protected]

Certification • Certification: Individuals interested in working as a lifeguard in the State of Rhode Island must become certified by the RI Division of Parks and Recreation (the Division) as either a Surf or Non-Surf Lifeguard to work at a waterfront facility, in accordance with RIGL 23-22.5-1 and 250-RICR-100-00-2. • Conditional Certification: The Division holds testing for conditional certification annually in May and June at Scarborough State Beach and Burlingame State Park. • Full Certification: The Division holds testing for full certification annually in August at Scarborough State Beach and Burlingame State Park. Other locations may be considered based upon need and availability. • Additional testing information: For additional information regarding lifeguard certification, including dates, times, and locations of testing, may be found here https://riparks.com/lifeguard-certification.php

General Operations

• Face Coverings: All candidates and staff must wear a face covering at all times in accordance with current executive orders and RIDOH regulations. Face coverings may be removed during the swim portion of the test. Candidates are encouraged to bring their own face covering, but if needed, the Division will provide. • Physical Distancing: All individuals will be advised to remain at least six (6) feet apart from other candidates and testing staff, except when close contact is a fundamental part of the testing (i.e. torp and reel save, torpedo rescue and board rescue). Areas and spaces will be marked to assist in maintaining proper distancing. Roping will be used to keep the public separated from the testing area. • Screening: All individuals will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms in accordance with current executive orders and RIDOH regulations. Staff shall follow established DEM COVID-19 screening procedures. Any individuals who are ill or have COVID-19 related symptoms must remain home. • Preregistration: In order to reduce congregating and ensure proper physical distancing, all lifeguard candidates must preregister for their test date and time online at http://riparks.com/lifeguard- certification.php. No candidate will be allowed to check in for their test until fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of their preregistered time. • Check-in on testing date: Candidates shall present the following items to staff at check-in: their required training cards (CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Training) or equivalent, a valid photo ID with verification of date of birth, and the certification fee of $10 (exact change or check required). • Underage candidates: Candidates under the age of 18 MUST be either accompanied by a parent or guardian who will present their identification and who will sign the waiver form or the candidate must obtain a waiver online through the Division of Parks and Recreation ahead of time and obtain a notarized signature of a parent or guardian, in order to take the test. Waivers that are electronically notarized in conformance with the Secretary of State guidelines will be accepted. An area to verify identification of parent/guardian will be designated to reduce congregating. Parents and guardians will not be allowed to stay in the testing area and will be encouraged to wait in their cars or in other areas. • Sanitization/cleaning: Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol will be available for staff and candidates’ use, and commonly touched objects will be cleaned in accordance with RIDOH regulations. The use of shared objects, including the use of lifesaving equipment used during testing (i.e. surfboards, torps, buoys, and rope), will be wiped down before the beginning of testing and after each candidate is tested, and prior to securing all equipment. • Certification Cards: Upon successful completion of the test, certification cards will be available on-site. Candidates will be called from a designated waiting area to collect their card.

Testing Protocols and Procedures

CONDITIONAL SURF TEST CONSISTS OF: • Torp and reel save, 3-person team. (See note below). • Board rescue 100 yards out, flip board, secure victim on board, paddle victim to shore.

CONDITIONAL NON-SURF TEST CONSISTS OF: • One torpedo rescue, 25 yards out, tow victim to shore. • One rescue tube rescue, 25 yards out, front approach, securely wrap the tube around the victim and tow to shore. • Board rescue 100 yards out, flip board, secure victim on board, paddle victim to shore.

FULL SURF TEST CONSISTS OF: • Swim 440 yards in 10 minutes or less using only forward-facing strokes. • Torp and reel save, 3-person team. (See note below). • Board rescue 100 yards out, flip board, secure victim on board, paddle to shore.

FULL NON-SURF TEST CONSISTS OF:

• Swim 440 yards in 10 minutes or less using only forward-facing strokes. • One torpedo rescue, 25 yards out, tow victim to shore. • One rescue tube rescue, 25 yards out, front approach, securely wrap the tube around the victim and tow to shore. • Board rescue 100 yards out, flip board, secure victim on board, paddle to shore.

Testing stations will be established along the shore where one instructor will be assigned four- six candidates and each of the below rescues or swims will be performed according to the type of certification being tested.

TORP AND REEL SAVE: This is the only save that requires multiple candidates to engage in the rescue scenario. Candidates manning the tow rope on shore will be wearing masks and spaced six (6) feet apart on the line. The candidate performing the water portion of the rescue will be swimming out to a candidate playing the victim. All candidates will place masks back on and use hand sanitizer when the test is completed. All equipment will be wiped down for next group.

TORPEDO RESCUE & BOARD RESCUE: These saves involve only one candidate playing the victim and one candidate who will be performing the rescue. Candidates will place masks back on and use hand sanitizer when complete, and all equipment will be wiped down for the next group.

440 YARD SWIM: This test can be done adhering to all physical distancing guidelines where swimmers will be spaced out in order to avoid any need for candidates to come in close proximity on land or water.

Clear Communications Plan

RIDEM will develop an information sheet on the testing protocols, which will be posted at www.riparks.com/lifeguard. The link will be emailed to candidates who register for appointments. The link will also be sent to municipalities and private recreational facilities so they can provide it to test candidates.