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National Appreciation Day

Celebrate the great work that NLS do at your facility!

Celebrate your NLS Lifeguards

Your staff are highly trained in preventive measures and emergency response. National Lifeguard Appreciation Day is an opportunity to show your community what you know and can do.

Much of what a NLS lifeguard does goes un-noticed by the public. You can share your pride in your exemplary staff by creating your own “communication plan”. There are some simple strategies that you can follow to bring attention to fabulous pool staff.

Try a National Lifeguard Appreciation Day where you can profile the excellent work that you do. An Appreciation Day is a great way to recruit future lifeguard and instructor staff, giving people an opportunity to see themselves in those roles.

The following two pages provide ideas for displays, mini events and posters that can be done at your Appreciation Day or even use each idea out through out the year.

1. Create a display:

Key messages include: - It takes a lot of skill to be a NLS lifeguard. Show a flow chart of the courses people need to be certified in . Display a copy of the Canadian Lifesaving Manual and ALERT Manual. - Lifeguard supervision plays an important role in preventing in Alberta. Fewer than 1% of all occur under lifeguard supervision. - Use pictures of your staff in action: Talking with swimmers on deck, doing CPR, practicing a rescue carry, working behind the scenes, doing a backwash, etc - Add quotes from the ALERT manual

2. Capture patrons “doing the right thing”:

Each time an adult or child is seen doing something right, reward them by a simple thank you, or put a tattoo on their arm. This will help people notice that much of what a lifeguard does is about preventing possible problems and educating people.

3. Track what you do:

Provide a “snap shot” of what you do by reporting some statistics. Post a one page form in your staff office that tracks what was done that day to protect patron safety. Each time staff finish a shift, they simply mark off what they did that day to ensure safety at the pool. Categories could include: - count number of bathers - actions taken to ensure clean, safe - “educational” reminders to behave safely environment - public relations with patrons - minor and/or major responses

4. Strut your stuff:

Invite the community and media in for a demonstration of your rescue and first aid skills or demonstrate how pool staff keep the water quality high. Consider implementing a “lifeguard of the week” program or writing up a “biography” of your staff so people can get to know them. These can become “announcements” in the local community newspaper or pool newsletter.

5. Create a “Did You Know” poster:

Create a poster that will inform people of all the jobs that lifeguards do behind the scenes to maintain a safe environment. Highlight: - Safety systems created - Maintenance and safety checks scheduled - Emergency procedures established - Water quality checks completed - Training required to stay certified

6. “Lifeguards in Action” collage:

Take pictures of staff “in action” and put a collage of images together in a large picture frame that can be hung in the lobby.

7. “Be a Lifeguard” for the day event:

Plan an event at your facility and invite the community into having a “lifeguard” experience. Try some of the suggested activities on the next page. “Be a lifeguard for a day” or call it “Do you have what it takes to be a Lifeguard”

Suggested Activities:

The Swim Patrol Award Guide has “Learning Activities” (pgs 58-92) that can be used as challenges for a Lifeguard Appreciation Day. Here’s some ideas to get you started.

1. Talk, Throw and Reach: 4. Lifeguard Carry:

Purpose: Practice the bottom of the Rescue Purpose: Experience what it takes to keep Ladder. To have them demonstrate basic someone’s airway above water during a tow. water rescue techniques. Supplies: White Styrofoam cups Supplies: Variety of reaching and throwing assists. Targets: bleach bottled tied to a Method: Have participants swim across the weight or distances marked by lane ropes pool using a lifesaving kick holding a cup just above the water. At the end of the Method: Have participants talk, throw or distance, measure out how much water is in reach the designated target(s). the cup.

2. Swim Race: 5. What do you see?

Purpose: Practice swimming while keeping Purpose: Develop observation skills. an eye on the victim. Supplies: Place objects in the area to be Supplies: None or perhaps a chair on the scanned (on deck, in water, lobby or in other side of the pool. Optional -clothing bleachers)

Method: Have participants race the clock Method: Have participants scan an area of (or each other) using either head up front the pool for 15 seconds. Then have them crawl or breaststroke. (Distances can vary turn and draw a quick picture of what they depending on age/ability) saw.

3. Lifeguard Carry: 6. Rings and things:

Purpose: Participants experience what it Purpose: Surface dive to pick up objects off takes to hold up a victim. the bottom.

Supplies: Variety of weights: 5, 10 or 20 lbs Supplies: Diving rings, poker chips, or (can use sand inside a 2 litre pop bottle) coloured stones.

Method: Choose a weight appropriate to Method: Have participants retrieve varies age/ability. Have participants tread water kinds of objects from the for a certain time. (Safety note: consider bottom. Depth of water depth of water based on their height or skill depends on age/ability. level) Lifesaving Society setting the standard and training lifeguards in Canada since 1964

Primary Role of the NLS Lifeguard:

The primary role of the NLS lifeguard is the prevention of emergency situations and the timely and effective resolution of emergencies. The NLS certification prepares lifeguards to fulfill this role as professional facilitators of safe, enjoyable aquatics.

Lifesaving Society recognized as the standard setter for lifeguarding in Canada

The Lifesaving Society, which certifies all lifeguards across Canada with its National Lifeguard (NLS) certification, is recognized nationally and internationally as the authority for aquatic standards and safety in Canada. The NLS Award has become the ultimate standard for lifeguarding in Canada and is recognized internationally by the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth and International Life Saving Federation.

National Lifeguard training:

The Lifesaving Society’s National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Certification builds on the fundamental skills, knowledge, and values taught in the prerequisite Society lifesaving certifications, such as Bronze Medallion and . The NLS program develops the basic lifeguarding skills, principles, and decision-making process to help lifeguards evaluate and adapt to different aquatic facilities and emergencies.

NLS award standard provides you protection

The NLS award is more than just a lifeguarding course and certification card used for employment purposes. It develops the practical skills and knowledge required by lifeguards in accordance to the Society’s position in areas of aquatic safety and industry standards. Employers and their NLS certified lifeguards responding under the scope of their training will have the Society’s full support.

The Society is called on to provide expert witness services to the Courts and other parties in the areas of aquatic safety and industry standards. The Society’s testimony will reflect the Lifesaving Society’s standards, publications and research into drowning and injury prevention, water rescue and aquatic safety systems.

The NLS standard is backed by a full range of safety services provided by the Society that support the design and operation of safe aquatic facilities that NLS trained lifeguards work in. The Lifesaving Society has published a series of Safety Standards, when followed contribute significantly to improved levels of safety in aquatic facilities. With the help of the Society, facility operators can conduct Aquatic Safety Audits based on these Safety Standards ensuring that the facility is following safe operating practices.