UNITED STATES LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AND EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
Moody Gardens Seven Hope Blvd. Galveston, Texas 77554 April 29 – May 1, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010 – Board of Directors & Committees
Board of Directors Meeting: 9:00 a.m. 1. Call to Order - Mr. B. Chris Brewster 1.1. Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. Charlie Hartl 1.2. Ceremony of the Mixing of the Waters – Welcome by Reverend John Donovan. 1.3. Welcome and Introductions – Mr. B. Chris Brewster. 2. Roll Call of Delegates – Ms. Nikki Bowie.
DELEGATE VOTES BASED ON MEMBERSHIP (AS OF 3/21/10) Member/Director Ratio 2- 25 1 Director 26-100 2 Directors 101-200 3 Directors 201-400 4 Directors 401-600 5 Directors 601-800 6 Directors 801-and over 7 Directors MEMBERS VOTES PRESENT PROXY TOTAL JUNIORS GREAT LAKES 17 1 1 1 13 JOE PECORARO GULF COAST 88 2 2 2 94 PETER DAVIS TONY PRYOR MID-ATLANTIC ED KIZIUKIEWICZ ED ZEBROWSKI CHARLES HARTL 1239 7 7 7 716 TIM GALLAGHER DENISE BLAIR DAVE FOXWELL ED ZEBROWSKI III NEW ENGLAND 12 1 0 0 0
NORTHWEST BERT WHITAKER 1 PROXY 57 2 1 1 2 0
PACIFIC ISLANDS RALPH GOTO 13 1 1 1 0
SOUTH ATLANTIC NIKKI BOWIE TOM GILL ADRIENNE GROH 787 6 6 6 85 RALPH WAGNER MICKEY HUTTO RON WATSON SOUTHEAST JO WAGENHALS GERRY FALCONER JIM MCCRADY 535 5 5 5 1049 ERIC SCHWARTZ JONATHAN BILLINGS SOUTHWEST ROB WILLIAMS MIKE BEUERLEIN ROB MCGOWAN 1249 7 7 7 6714 CHARLOTTE GRAHAM REENIE BOYER BILL RICHARDSON ROBERT MOORE SUB TOTALS 3997 32 30 1 31 8671 NATIONAL (AT LARGE) 1 0 TOTALS 3998 8671
Additional Attendees: Great Lakes Region: Jerry Gavin, Andy Braudy Gulf Coast – Penny Shull, Kara Harrison, Mike Reardon Mid-Atlantic Region: Dave Shotwell, Andy Healey, Tom Daly New England Region: Robert Bertrand Pacific Islands – Kalani Vierra South Atlantic Region: Janie Watson, Southeast Region: Dr. Peter Wernicki, Medical Advisor, Scott Petersohn Southwest Region: Jay Butki, Gus Avila, Craig Lumb, Ron Schafer, Richard Hidalgo, Bill Humphries Members of the Executive Board: President B. Chris Brewster, Secretary Nikki Bowie, Treasurer Rob Williams, Executive Delegate Chris Graham, Advisor Tim
Gallagher, Liaison Peter Davis 3. Approval of Agenda – Motion by Mr. Eric Schwartz to approve the agenda, 2nd by Mr. Jonathan Billings. Mr. Bill Richardson proposed to remove the Executive Committee meeting from the agenda in reference to Bylaw article VIII, Section 4, B, 2. No motion arose from this proposal. Motion to approve the agenda passed, 3 opposed. 4. Approval of Minutes – Motion by Mr. Dave Foxwell to approve the meeting minutes from the Board of Directors Meeting in Williamsburg, VA, November 3-5, 2009, 2nd by Ms. Denise Blair. Mr. Rob McGowan raised a concern that specific comments he made at the fall Executive Committee Meeting regarding his concern that it should not meet at all at Board meetings were not included in the Executive Committee minutes. The Chair suggested that approval of the Executive Committee minutes be held for the next meeting, with Mr. McGowan invited to submit his suggestions to the Secretary. The remainder of the meeting minutes from Williamsburg were approved. 5. President’s Opening Remarks – Mr. Brewster presented a Power Point presentation on unique opportunities available to the USLA. [President’s Remarks.PDF] 6. Officers Activity Reports - It was requested that verbal reports be limited to approximately two minutes, highlighting the key points in written reports previously submitted to the Secretary and published. 6.1. President (Mr. B. Chris Brewster) Mr. Brewster highlighted his written report: Made a presentation at NRPA Aquatics conference in Houston to promote USLA’s certification program and our educational DVDs; worked with NOAA and particularly the NWS on a new proposal on how they will do their rip current warnings; worked with the National Parks Service on a water safety program for their “Web Rangers”; continued work with the USOC and Mr. More; assembled and published the annual USLA report; continued to work with YMCA, ARC and USAA Swimming. [2010_01_04_USLABOD_PresidentActivity.PDF] 6.2. Vice President (Mr. Joe McManus) Mr. McManus was not present and his report will stand as submitted. Mr. Brewster read a letter from Mr. McManus stating his resignation from the Vice President position due to personal circumstances. [2010_01_05_USLABOD_VicePresidentActivity.PDF] 6.3. Secretary (Ms. Nikki Bowie) Ms. Bowie noted that meeting minutes are normally circulated in a draft form for comment after each meeting and that comments are welcome at that time. She requested that any concerns be brought to her attention at the earliest possible opportunity, to allow for timely corrections prior to the next meeting. [2010_01_06_USLABOD_SecretaryActivity.PDF] 6.4. Treasurer (Mr. Rob Williams) Mr. Williams reported that the budget continues to strive. He has opened a new account on PayPal to satisfy Uniserve requirements. The Ways and Means report has been updated
and available. [2010_01_07_USLABOD_TreasurerActivity.PDF] 6.5. Executive Delegate (Mr. Charlie Hartl) Mr. Hartl requested that his report stand as submitted. [2010_01_08_USLABOD_ExecutiveDelegateAction.PDF] 6.6. Advisor (Mr. Tim Gallagher) No report. 6.7. Liaison Officer (Mr. Peter Davis) Mr. Davis thanked his staff for all their hard work on the meeting. He requested that his report stand as submitted, but did mention that there has been interesting development in the Americas Region of the ILS. [2010_01_10_USLABOD_LiaisonActivity.PDF] 6.8. Medical Advisor (Dr. Peter Wernicki) Dr. Wernicki highlighted his report. He read a statement from the AAA book on Florida regarding swimming where lifeguards are present and referencing the USLA and the Florida Chief’s Association. The Lifeguard Standards Coalition is almost complete. Work with the ILS Medical Committee and Anti-doping Committee continues as does the Red Cross subcommittee with Dr. Peter Chambers. There was an extensive lead article in the Journal “Anesthesiology” entitled “Drowning Update 2009” as a review on how to treat drowning victims in the ER. Dr. Wernicki, Mr. Brewster, and Dr. William Culp wrote a letter to the editor of Anesthesiology, which was published, emphasizing that expanded provision of lifeguards can prevent drowning, which can save more lives than enhanced treatment of drowning victims. There is an online voluntary rescue survey that asks for lifeguards to report data after a rescue is made. Dr. Wernicki would like to get an endorsement from the USLA to support this survey. [2010_01_11_USLABOD_MedicalAdvisorActivity.PDF] 6.9. Legal Advisor (Mr. Chip More) Mr. Brewster reported for Mr. More that the original person, Joe Jean, who arranged our Pro Bono agreement with Dickstein Shapiro is no longer with that firm, although the firm will continue to honor our agreement with them. Mr. Jean has also offered to have his new firm to do Pro Bono work as well. [2010_01_12_USLABOD_LegalAdvisorActivity.PDF] 7. Regional Council Activity Reports 7.1. Great Lakes (Mr. Joe Pecoraro) Mr.Pecoraro reported that things are looking up in the region. There is a new chapter – the North Shore Chapter. [2010_01_25_USLABOD_GreatLakesActivity.PDF] 7.2. Gulf Coast (Mr. Tony Pryor) Mr. Pryor requested that his report stand as submitted. [2010_01_26_USLABOD_GulfCoastActivity.PDF] 7.3. Mid-Atlantic (Mr. Ed Zebrowski) Mr. Zebrowski requested that his report stand as submitted. [2010_01_22_USLABOD_MidAtlanticActivity.PDF] 7.4. Northwest (Mr. Bert Whitaker for Ms. Cathy VonWald) Mr. Whitaker requested that the report stand as submitted. [2010_01_27_USLABOD_NorthwestActivity.PDF]
7.5. Pacific Islands (Mr. Ralph Goto) Mr. Goto requested that his report stand as submitted. [2010_01_29_USLABOD_PacificIslandsActivity.PDF] 7.6. South Atlantic (Mr. Tom Gill) Mr. Gill requested that his report stand as submitted. [2010_01_23_USLABOD_SouthAtlanticActivity.PDF] 7.7. Southeast (Mr. Joe McManus) Mr. Gerry Falconer reported for Mr. McManus . Mr. Falconer introduced Jonathan Billings and Eric Schwartz and reported that Jo Wagenhals has been promoted to Captain in Pompano Beach. [2010_01_24_USLABOD_SoutheastActivity.PDF] 7.8. Southwest (Mr. Mike Beuerlein) Mr. Beuerlein highlighted his written report. One of USLA’s goals has been to raise funds to hire an Executive Director. While the region agrees, CSLSA objected to the ISG agreement. CSLSA hopes that this is a successful venture and that the 2010 National Lifeguard Championships will be the first test. Mr. Beurelein stated that the HSBLA requested to change 2010 National Championships dates so as to not conflict with the US Open of Surfing due to hotel occupancy. CSLSA is encouraged by a proposal to reorganize the National Championships. The region believes that USLA should be the official host. Continues to work with USLA to find a way to affiliate with the USOC without drastically changing the structure of USLA. Due to the state of the economy many legislative bodies are looking at reorganizing departments and divisions and looking to USLA as an authoritative source of information. It is important that the information that we post on the website is accurate and up to date. The Executive Delegate Committee recommended in Williamsburg that salary information be a requirement for certification and the region would like this topic to be placed on the Certification Committee agenda. Dr. Victor Zavala-Hamz, PhD. President of the Asociacion Mexican de Salvavidas, A.C. (AMS), has asked that USLA and CSLSA direct all ideas and plans to assist lifesaving in Mexico through the AMS for coordination and consistency, and to avoid duplication of efforts. [2010_01_28_USLABOD_SouthwestActivity.PDF] 8. Contracted Staff Liaison Report – (Mr. Ed Zebrowski) Mr. Zebrowski requested that the report stand as submitted and added that he had received a written report from ISG. This report is an attachment of the Executive Committee action report. [2010_01_14_USLABOD_ContractedStaffActivity.PDF] 9. Committee Chair Activity Reports 9.1. Regular Committees 9.1.1. Certification (Mr. Tony Pryor) Mr. Pryor requested that his report stand as submitted. The Southwest Region requested that the committee discuss reporting of information on lifeguard salaries a condition of certification. [2010_01_37_USLABOD_CertificationActivity.PDF] 9.1.2. Competition (Mr. Ed Zebrowski) Mr. Zebrowski requested that his report stand as submitted.
[2010_01_34_USLABOD_CompetitionActivity.PDF] 9.1.3. Heroic Acts, Recognition, Awards and Presentations (Ms. Adrienne Groh). Ms. Groh thanked Mr. Richardson and Ms. Bowie for their assistance while she attended, and graduated from nursing school. [2010_01_35_USLABOD_HeroicActsActivity.PDF] 9.1.4. Junior Guards (Ms. Reenie Boyer) Ms. Boyer reported there were 8671 Junior Lifeguard members on the agenda. She stated that while her employment status has changed, her dedication to the USLA has not. The committee was to discuss one rule change proposal. [2010_01_36_USLABOD_JuniorGuardActivity.PDF] 9.1.5. Membership (Ms. Charlotte Graham) In addition to her written report, Ms. Graham reported that several people have been looking into website upgrades which will potentially result in an upgrade to the database. The barrel bag for membership was shown. There is a change in the actual membership number to 12,756. [2010_01_33_USLABOD_MembershipActivity.PDF] 9.1.6. Public Education (Ms. Denise Blair) Ms. Blair reported that the committee will hold the annual beach safety challenge. Submittals need to be to Ms. Blair by July 15th. 20,000 coloring books have been ordered and contain the updated safety tips. She has received a board game proposal from a company in Great Britain that the committee was to review. [2010_01_32_USLABOD_PublicEdActivity.PDF] 9.1.7. Ways and Means (Mr. Rob Williams) Mr. Williams discussed the annual audit and it is proceeding normally.[2010_01_38_USLABOD_WaysandMeansActivity.PDF] 9.2. Working Group Committees 9.2.1. Bylaws/Policies and Procedures (Mr. Chip More) Mr. More was unable to attend and had no report. 9.2.2. Equipment Research and Assessment (Mr. Dave Foxwell) Mr. Foxwell had no report but questioned if the “Whistles for Life” proposal was an endorsement since it has the USLA logo on it. Mr. Foxwell stated that he receives emails asking for product endorsement, but generally advised those requesting that the USLA does not endorse products, per se. Mr. Brewster requested that all emails of this nature be forwarded to the Contracted Staff Liaison, since there are alternatives that may be acceptable to both parties and may help generate revenue. 9.2.3. Grant Writing (Mr. James McCrady) Mr. McCrady had no written report, but has been working with Mr. More on some topics. 9.2.4. Lifesaver Education (Mr. Tim Gallagher) Mr. Gallagher reported that the committee would be developing the educational topics for the Fall Board of Directors meeting.
9.2.5. Magazine Publication (Mr. Mike Beuerlein for Mr. Mike Bartlett) Mr. Beuerlein highlighted that the regional oversight of articles appears to be going well. There was a record low of per issue cost of .42 due to reduced printing costs and non-profit mailing status. Total gross ad revenue was over $7000. Spring issue deadline for content was May 15th and printing and mailing deadline is June 15th. Mr. Beuerlein reported that Mr. Bartlett feels that if ALM went to an electronic version that advertisers would not be as apt to sign on. [2010_01_47_USLABOD_ALMActivity.PDF] 9.2.6. National Curriculum (Mr. Kim Tyson) Mr. Tyson was not present and his report will stand as submitted. [2010_01_42_USLABOD_CurriculumActivity.PDF] 9.2.7. Original Founders (Mr. Dave Shotwell) Mr. Shotwell had no report. 9.2.8. Public Information/Publicity (Mr. Tom Gill) Mr. Gill had no report. 9.2.9. Sign Standards (Mr. Ralph Goto) Mr. Goto stated that signs don’t replace lifeguards and signs don’t jump in the water to make rescues, but it is important to standardize our sign system nationally not just for liability issues but for a number of other issues. Mr. Goto asked everyone to look at the proposed rip current sign and that it conforms to ANSI warning sign standards and recommended that the USLA adopt this sign. [2010_01_51_USLABOD_SignStandardsActivity.PDF] 9.2.10. Statistics (Mr. Rick Gould) Mr. Brewster, in Mr. Gould's absence, noted the availability of a report on annual statistics from Mr. Gould, emphasizing the value of this information to the USLA and the continuing use of this material by the news media, researchers, and others. He read into the record a list of agencies which had not reported their statistics as required and these are included in Mr. Gould’s activity report. [2010_01_50_USLABOD_StatisticsActivity.PDF] 9.2.11. Website (Mr. Rob Williams) Mr. Williams reported that a task force has been working over the last six months looking at new options to revamp the website. YourMembership.com was selected. Were trying to get a site that will encompass everything such as membership and competition and have access for all committee chairpersons to update their pages. There are plans to have sub- sites for each chapter, connections to Face Book and the ability to send reminders for membership each year. [2010_01_48_USLABOD_WebsiteActivity.PDF] 10. President Brewster Presentation 11. Meeting recessed until 11:00 on Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010 – Educational Conference
Lifeguard Agency Overview
David Szpilman: Brazilian Lifesaving Overview
Hurricane Ike Response & Roundtable Discussion
Coastal COMS presentation
Saturday, May 1, 2010 – Board of Directors
12. Call to Order - Mr. Brewster – Mr. Brewster highlighted key elements of, “Robert’s Rules of Order." He noted that at the prior meeting, a motion was passed that conflicted with Robert's Rules of Order, but the Bylaws specifically require that the meeting be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. He stated that as the Chair, he is obligated to follow the Bylaws, but would try to provide latitude, where necessary and appropriate. 13. Motion by Mr. Falconer that the Executive Committee not fill the vacancy of the Vice President position until the Fall 2010 Board of Directors meeting to allow candidates a chance to consider running for the position. Mr. Pryor moved to call the question. MPU. The original motion passed unanimously. 14. Committee Action Reports – Motions and voting limited to Officers and Regional Delegates. 14.1. Regular Committees 14.1.1. Executive Committee (Mr. B. Chris Brewster) In addition to the following topics, a number of other items were discussed that cannot be included below. Readers are encouraged to read the entire Executive Committee Action Report. Mr. Brewster presented the following action and informational items that resulted from the Executive Committee: 14.1.1.1. Mr. Brewster reported that there were two sponsorship proposals; Whistles for Life and Opa Cove. Referred to ISG for further development. 14.1.1.2. The appropriateness of holding Executive Committee meetings during the Board of Directors meeting was questioned. This topic was referred to the Bylaws Committee. 14.1.1.3. The Executive Committee will request that the Bylaws Committee develop an amendment to Policies and Procedures VII-D, regarding Host Agreements, for review of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Sample language has been offered. The intent is to ensure that prospective hosts approve the Host Agreement in advance
of their selection, so that no misunderstandings arise thereafter. 14.1.1.4. Proposed amendments for the Bylaws to accommodate requirements of US Olympic Committee membership were noticed by the Secretary under New Business. 14.1.1.5. The Executive Committee proposes to the Board of Directors to accept the host agreement as published to the Executive Committee for the 2010 National Lifeguard Championships.MPU. 14.1.1.6. The Executive Committee proposes to the Board of Directors to accept the proposed host agreement with Cape May for the 2011 National Lifeguard Championships. MPU [2010_01_13_USLABOD_ExecutiveCommitteeAction.PDF]
14.1.2. Certification (Mr. Tony Pryor) 14.1.2.1. Mr. Pryor reported that Ocean City NJ certification is still pending. 14.1.2.2. The committee discussed better ways to get certifications faster and easier. 14.1.2.3. The proposal to make it a condition of certification to post salary information on the website was defeated by the committee. 14.1.2.4. Mr. Pryor read the list of agencies for approval of certification. See the action report for the complete list. MPU to accept all the agencies. [2010_01_37_USLABOD_CertificationAction.PDF]
14.1.3. Competition (Mr. Ed Zebrowski) 14.1.3.1. The committee discussed the Junior Guard age group proposal and decided that this topic should be decided by the Membership or Bylaws Committees. 14.1.3.2. The new swimsuit requirements will be posted on the USLA website in the manual and Mr. Butki will insert all the different craft requirements. 14.1.3.3. Mr. Butki provided updates on several international competitions. 14.1.3.4. The 2012 National Championships were discussed with interest from both LACOLA and the Northwest Region. 14.1.3.5. The host agreement for the 2011 National Championships in Cape May has been signed. 14.1.3.6. Motion by the Southwest Region to set the fees for competition to $35 for pre-registration and $65 for late registration. Was approved when the host agreement was accepted. 14.1.3.7. The committee reconvened to discuss the dates of the 2010 National Competition and voted to approve the date of August 5, 6, 7 with 7 in favor and the Southwest abstaining.
At this point, Mr. Lumb from Huntington Beach was unsure if they would be able to host on the approved dates and any other agencies interested in hosting were asked to notify Mr. Zebrowski by May 15th with a deadline to sign a host agreement by May 31st. 14.1.4. Executive Delegate (Mr. Charlie Hartl) Mr. Hartl asked that any new patches for the agency patch quilt be sent to him. Discussion was held on continuing the salary page; updates to the database and thanks to Chris Graham for his hard work prior to Mr. Hartl. 14.1.5. Heroic Acts, Recognition, Awards and Presentations (Ms. Adrienne Groh) 14.1.5.1. Ms. Groh will make changes and updates to the application on the website. 14.1.5.2. Ms. Groh read the list of awards (14 with 7 being Medals of Valor) and all may be found in the attached committee report. MPU [2010_01_35_USLABOD_HeroicActsAction.PDF] 14.1.6. Junior Guards (Ms. Denise Blair for Ms. Reenie Boyer) 14.1.6.1. Ms. Blair announced the bumper sticker contest will continue for 2010 and the winner for the 2009 contest is in the Junior membership kit. It was suggested to set the template and the rules on the website. 14.1.6.2. There were 3 proposals brought to the committee concerning eligibility. The committee will work with the USLA attorney on the JG rule wording. The committee chose Option #3 - to allow paid JG Assistants or JG Aids to compete in the AA division. Approved wording will be presented at the Fall meeting. 14.1.6.3. The Junior Guard logo is in the process of being trademarked. 14.1.6.4. Jo Wagenhals will be the new Junior Jam Editor. [2010_01_36_USLABOD_JuniorGuardAction.PDF] 14.1.7. Membership (Ms. Charlotte Graham) 14.1.7.1. The committee reviewed the membership kits for this year and there were several cost sharing payments received from regions for the barrel bags. 14.1.7.2. Reviewed a new benefit for all USLA members from American Income Life to provide a $2000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit at no cost to our members as well as a health services discounts card at no cost and some other marketing assistance. The committee wants to maintain the integrity of the mailing list. Motion by the committee to accept the proposal pending the approval of the attorney. MPU. 14.1.7.3. The committee proposed a Bylaw amendment to Article V, Section 2-A regarding the definition of a Professional
Member. This proposal was noticed by the Secretary under New Business. 14.1.7.4. Ideas for next year’s kits were discussed, including towels. 14.1.7.5. The concept of dual membership was discussed and sent back to the regions for further discussion in the Fall. [2010_01_33_USLABOD_MembershipAction.PDF]
14.1.8. Public Education (Ms. Denise Blair) 14.1.8.1. Explore creating a Facebook page for USLA pending approval of legal counsel. The webmaster and the Committee Chair would have control over the content. 14.1.8.2. The “Beach Safety Challenge” was discussed and will continue in 2010. Please forward submissions to Ms. Blair by July 15th. 14.1.8.3. The committee requested that President Brewster sign the National Beach Safety Week proclamation. 14.1.8.4. Will purchase bookmarks with the revised safety tips and the winning Junior Guard artwork from the bumper sticker contest. 14.1.8.5. Bill Humphries will develop a template for a tri-fold brochure containing public education as well as general information on the USLA and distribute at the Fall meeting for review. 14.1.8.6. The committee has been approached by a company from Great Britain to develop a USLA version of Great Britain’s Lifeboat Game. The company would be responsible for obtaining sponsors, manufacturing, and marketing the games. This could be a possible revenue source. The committee is very excited about the game. We are asking each region to submit 25 questions for the game. A PDF file with the current questions will be mailed out. The Contracted Staff Liaison will have ISG contact Paul Watton regarding the financial aspects of the game. 14.1.8.7. Reviewed a DVD on skin cancer, “The Dark Side of the Sun”, that will be reviewed by the Medical Advisor. If approved, it could be available for possible free distribution. 14.1.8.8. Met with the Website Committee and expressed the need to have one section on the updated website that contains all public education information. [2010_01_32_USLABOD_PublicEdAction.PDF] 14.1.9. Ways and Means (Mr. Rob Williams) 14.1.9.1. The idea of emailing USLA members and notifying them of the Combined Federal Campaign was supported by the committee.
14.1.9.2. The website agreement came in under budget and the additional money may be needed to pay Interfuse. 14.1.9.3. Recommendation from Mr. Lumb that beginning in 2011, $5000 in seed money be given to the host of the National Lifeguard Championships. This will be further discussed at the Fall meeting. 14.1.9.4. Motion from the committee to allow the Heroic Acts, Recognition, Awards and Presentations Committee to go over-budget due to the 7 Medals of Valor that were approved. MPU [2010_01_38_USLABOD_WaysAndMeansAction.PDF]
14.2. Working Group Committees 14.2.1. Bylaws/Policies and Procedures (Mr. Chip More) The committee did not have a report. 14.2.2. Equipment Research and Assessment (Mr. Dave Foxwell) The committee did not have a report. 14.2.3. Grant Writing (Mr. James McCrady) The committee did not have a report. 14.2.4. Liaison (Mr. Peter Davis) The committee did not have a report. 14.2.5. Lifesaver Education (Mr. Tim Gallagher) 14.2.5.1. The committee recognized the efforts of deceased Life Member Dr. Jim McCloy who was instrumental in hosting the first USLA Educational Conference in Galveston over 20 years ago. 14.2.5.2. The committee discussed topics for the Fall Board of Directors Meeting: Round table discussion on agencies’ public education programs; Coast Guard presentation on their Rescue Swimmer Program; Placement of lifeguard agencies in the Emergency Management System; Critical incident distress debriefing. [2010_01_53_USLABOD_EducationalOversightAction.P DF] 14.2.6. Magazine Publication (Mr. Mike Beuerlein for Mr. Mike Bartlett) The committee did not have a report. 14.2.7. National Curriculum (Mr. Kim Tyson) The committee did not have a report. 14.2.8. Original Founders (Mr. Dave Shotwell) Interested in enhancing the data on the website about Life Members and past presidents to make it more interesting to the younger members. Mr. Gavin has offered to record video of some oral history at each meeting. 14.2.9. Public Information/Publicity (Mr. Tom Gill) The committee did not have a report. 14.2.10. Sign Standards (Mr. Ralph Goto) Mr. Goto reported that the Sign Committee is withholding its motion to change the rip current signage in deference to our ongoing relationship with NOAA.
14.2.11. Website (Mr. Rob Williams) The committee will begin work on the new website and also fully supports the Public Education Committee in the Facebook endeavor. 15. Old Business (Officers and Regional Delegates) 15.1. Proposal from the Bylaw Committee “Shall the USLA Bylaw Article VIII- Section 5 concerning suspension, expulsion or termination of members be modified as outlined in attachment 1?” MPU 15.2. “Shall the USLA Bylaw Article IX, Section 1, Subsection a, be amended to excise the words “twice” and “in the months of April” to have the effect that there be only one Board of Directors meeting a year in November?” Motion failed with 2 in favor and 29 opposed. 16. New Business (Officers and Regional Delegates) 16.1. Mr. Gallagher made a motion that the USLA supports voluntary participation in the online rescue survey that Dr. Wernicki discussed in his activity report.MPU. 16.2. Proposed Bylaw change from the Membership Committee “Shall the USLA Bylaw Article V, Section 2-A concerning definition of a Professional Member be amended to state “To qualify as a Professional Member, an individual must: (1) Be a direct, active, seasonal or retired individual (delete employee), including a chief, director or equivalent, who has worked in the capacity as a lifeguard for an ocean, bay, lake, river or rescue service.”?” 16.3. Proposed Bylaw change concerning athlete amendments. Attachment 2. 17. Open Forum and Announcements (Any USLA member may raise issues. Motions and votes limited to Regional Delegates) 17.1. Mr. Falconer thanked everyone for their kind words and thoughts for Joe McManus. 17.2. Mr. Goto suggested term limits to bring in younger blood to the organization. 18. Future Meetings 18.1. 2010 Fall: Northwest, November 4-6 – Portland, Oregon 18.2. 2011 Spring: South Atlantic, April 28-30 19. Privilege of the Chair (Mr. Brewster) Mr. Brewster expressed his appreciation for the way that items had been worked out professionally during the meeting such that the Board of Directors ran smoothly and efficiently. 20. Adjournment – Motion by Mr. Gill to adjourn, 2nd by Mr. Falconer. MPU. ATTACHMENT 1
Section 5 – Suspension, Expulsion or Termination of Director(s) A. Power to Suspend, Expel or Terminate The Board of Directors shall have the power by three-fourths (3/4) of those Directors eligible to vote to suspend, expel or terminate any member of the Board of Directors for one or more of the following reasons: 1) Conduct that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, disturbs the order, dignity, business or harmony of the Association; or, 2) Conduct that harms the good name, popularity and prosperity of the Association; or, 3) Conduct that endangers the welfare, interests or character of the Association; or, 4) Conduct in violation of the Bylaws and/or the policies and procedures of the Board of Directors.
B. Action by Board of Directors to Suspend, Expel or Terminate Such action to suspend, expel or terminate may be addressed at a meeting of the Board of Directors upon the initiative of any Director. The Board of Directors may act with respect to the complaint of conduct only after the charged Director has been (1) notified, in writing, at least thirty (30) days in advance of the charges and proposed action, (2) given the date and time of the hearing, and (3) provided an opportunity to appear in person or through a representative before the Board of Directors.
Section 6 – Suspension, Expulsion or Termination of USLA Member(s) A. Power to Suspend, Expel or Terminate The Board of Directors shall have the power by three-fourths (3/4) of those Directors eligible to vote to suspend, expel or terminate any member(s) of the United States Lifesaving Association Directors for one or more of the reasons defined in Section 5-A of this Article.
B. Action by Board of Directors to Suspend, Expel or Terminate Such action to suspend, expel or terminate may be addressed at a meeting of the Board of Directors upon the initiative of any Director. The Board of Directors may act with respect to the complaint of conduct only after the charged member(s) has been: (1) notified, in writing, at least thirty (30) days in advance of the charges and proposed action, (2) given the date and time of the hearing, and (3) provided an opportunity to appear in person or through a representative before the Board of Directors
ATTACHMENT 2
Section 4 – Officers of the United States Lifesaving Association A. USLA Executive Board The Executive Board of the USLA Board of Directors shall be comprised of the USLA President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive DelegateAthlete Representative, Past President/Advisor, and Liaison Officer. B. Executive Committee (1) Membership In order to provide for important and necessary regional representation on all matters that pertain to the business, actions and practices of the Association, an Executive Committee shall be established. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the USLA Executive Board as defined under Section 4 (A) of this article, and the USLA Regional Presidents or their appointed designees, and three Athlete Representatives. . Formatted: Heading 5, Indent: Left: 0", Tab (2) Authority of the Executive Committee stops: Not at 1" The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the USLA Board of Formatted: Bullets and Numbering Directors between Board of Director’s meetings. This authority shall exclude the power: a) To adopt or amend the USLA or Regional Bylaws; or, b) To modify or expunge specific actions of the Board of Directors; or, c) To undertake any other action that has been denied the Executive Committee by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall secure Errors and Omissions/Fiduciary Liability coverage for the USLA Treasurer and any other USLA officer as deemed necessary and appropriate. (Amended November 7, 2009) (3) Voting Privileges Each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to one vote and have equal voting privileges on issues before the Committee. (4) Executive Session When in the best interests of the USLA any member of the Executive Committee or their designated representative, with agreement by the majority of the Executive Committee, may hold discussions in executive session on matters of immediate interest and importance. Executive session discussions shall be reported to the Board of Directors as soon as possible or as soon as such reporting can be accomplished without negatively impacting the best interests of the USLA. Only members of the Executive Committee or their designated representatives may attend executive session.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 15 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
C. Election of Officers (1) The USLA President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and Executive Delegate shall be elected by a ballot of the USLA Board of Directors every second year in odd numbered years. (2) Election shall be by secret ballot of each individual director and a simple majority vote will elect. All votes by proxy must meet the requirements of Article IX, Section 4. (3) The Past President/Advisor position shall be filled by the immediate predecessor to the current President if the immediate Past President elects to serve. If the immediate Past President is unable or unwilling to serve, an Advisor shall be appointed by the President elect and confirmed by a simple majority vote of the USLA Board of Directors. (4) The Liaison Officer shall be appointed by the President elect and confirmed by the Board of Directors. A majority vote is required to confirm the appointment. D. Election of Athletes Representatives Formatted: Heading 3 (1) A total of four Athlete Representatives shall be elected in the same years as the Election of Formatted: Bullets and Numbering Officers. (2) Election shall be by email ballot of qualified electors who have provided valid email addresses to the USLA and demonstrated their qualifications. (3) Nominations for Athlete Representatives shall be open from August 15 in odd numbered years, through September 15, and elections of qualified nominees shall be open from October 1 until October 20. Any USLA member with voting privileges may nominate a qualified person to be an Athlete Representative, including, if qualified, themselves. (4) To qualify to as an elector or as an Athlete Representative, a person must: a) have participated as a member of the National Team representing the United States at the World Championships within the 10 years preceding the election; or, b) represented the United States on an international team selected and sanctioned by the United States Lifesaving Association in a multi-national lifesaving competition; or, c) have participated in no less than three National Lifesaving Championships sanctioned by the United States Lifesaving Association; and, d) must be a current member of the United States Lifesaving Association with voting privileges. (5) The qualified nominees with the highest numbers of votes shall be elected, with the following exceptions: Formatted: Font color: Black a) There shall be no more than one Athlete Representative from any USLA Region, so only Formatted: Heading 5 the qualified nominee with the highest number of votes from any single USLA Region shall be elected. Formatted: Font color: Black b) There shall be no fewer than one male and one female among those elected, so if the highest number of votes received, after regional diversity is achieved as specified in the foregoing clause, are for members entirely of one gender, then the fourth Athlete Representative shall be the person of the opposite gender who received the highest number of votes among qualified nominees of that gender and who is from a Region that is not represented by the first three elected. D.E. Appointment of the Legal Advisor, and Medical Advisor The Legal Advisor and Medical Advisor shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors. A majority vote is required to confirm the appointment.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 16 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
E.F. Terms Formatted: Bullets and Numbering (1) The term of office for the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Delegate, and Liaison Officer, and Athlete Representatives shall be for two years with no limit on the number of terms. (2) The term of office for the Past President/Advisor shall be two years. If the President is reelected for successive terms the President elect may choose to retain the Past President/Advisor or appoint a director to fulfill the Past President/Advisor’s responsibilities. Said appointment must be confirmed by a simple majority of the Board of Directors. (3) The term of service for the Legal Advisor and Medical Advisor shall correspond with the term of office of the President with continuing approval of the Board of Directors. (4) A vacancy in office of an officer or appointee, excepting an Athlete Representative, shall be filled by the Executive Committee until the next meeting of the Board of Directors at which time an election will be held for the balance of the term. If an Athlete Representative is unable, unwilling, or unqualified to serve, then the next qualified person who would have been elected at the most recent election of Athlete Representatives will be offered the position, retaining the proscription on more than one representative per Region and requirement of no less than one representative of each gender, until a qualified person accepts the position. F.G. Quorum Formatted: Bullets and Numbering A majority of the Executive Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. G.H. Duties of the Officers Formatted: Bullets and Numbering (1) President – The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall: a) Preside at all meetings of the Members, Board of Directors and Executive Committee. b) Have general charge of the business of the Association and execute, with the Secretary, in the name of the USLA, all deeds, bonds, contracts and other obligations and instruments authorized by the Board of Directors. c) Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint such standing or special committees and subcommittees as outlined in Article XI, Sections 2 and 3. d) Prepare the official annual report to the Board of Directors on the activities and affairs of the USLA. e) Prepare a written report on the state of the Association including all duties and activities of the President for each meeting of the Board of Directors. f) Be the Second Delegate to the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. g) Have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. (2) Vice President a) The Vice President shall be vested with all the powers and shall perform all the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President. b) The Vice President shall also have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. c) Prepare a written report including all duties and activities of the Vice President for each meeting of the Board of Directors. (3) Secretary a) The Secretary shall keep a full and complete record of the proceedings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and meetings of the Members; shall keep the seal of the Association (corporation) and affix same to such papers and instruments as may be required in the regular course of business; shall make and serve notices as may be
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 17 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
necessary; shall retain a membership roll; shall distribute the minutes of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and meetings of Members within thirty (30) days; shall maintain an updated copy of the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures; shall determine a quorum and the number of votes needed to pass on any item; shall verify Directors in good standing and perform all other duties incidental to the office of the Secretary. b) In the case of absence or disability of the Secretary, or refusal or neglect to act, notices may be given and served by the President or the Vice President, or by any other person authorized by the President, Vice President or Board of Directors. c) The Secretary shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. (4) Treasurer a) The Treasurer shall receive and safely keep all funds of the Association and deposit same in such bank or banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors. USLA funds shall be disbursed only in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws and the rules established by the Board of Directors on checks of the Association, signed as directed by the Board of Directors. b) The Treasurer shall control the keeping of the books and accounts of the Association and shall be responsible for the preparation of complete financial statements of the USLA. The financial statements shall consist of a balance sheet, income statement and other financial statements as may be required of this Association and shall be prepared annually or as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors. A record and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements shall be compiled by the Treasurer. All financial records shall be maintained on a calendar year January 1 to December 31. (Amended April 24, 2008) c) The Treasurer shall prepare a written financial status report for each meeting of the Board of Directors. d) The Treasurer shall cause the receipts and disbursements of the Association to be audited annually by a recognized firm of Certified Public Accountants authorized by the Executive Committee. A full written financial report shall be made annually at the spring meeting of the Board of Directors. (5) Executive DelegateAthlete Representative a) The Athlete Representative shall represent the interests of lifesaving athletes, as well as Field Code Changed the general viability and vitality of the United States Lifesaving Association as a wholeExecutive Delegate shall investigate and attempt to resolve those issues that arise during the daily operations of the USLA. b) The executive Delegate Athlete Representative shall prepare a written report including all duties and activities for each meeting of the Board of Directors. (6) Past President/Advisor a) The Past President/Advisor shall advise and assist the President in the administration of the Association. b) The Past President/Advisor shall coordinate the activities of all committees as may be determined by the President. c) The Past President/Advisor shall prepare a written report including all duties and activities for each meeting of the Board of Directors. (7) Liaison Officer a) The Liaison Officer shall maintain liaison and interface with all national and international organizations and shall be responsible for maintaining open lines of communication between the USLA and other national and international organizations. b) The Liaison Officer shall coordinate all exchanges between agencies. c) The Liaison Officer shall be the First Delegate to the International Lifesaving Federation unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 18 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
Article XI – Committees
Section 1 – Appointment The President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such standing and special committees, as may be necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of the USLA. The Committees shall include members from all geographic regions, where applicable. The Competition Committee shall include one voting member from each USLA Region and a nonvoting chairperson, appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The three Athlete Representatives who received the highest number of votes at the most recent election of Athlete Representatives shall also be voting members of the Competition Committee.
Section 2 – Standing Committees The following shall be considered standing committees: Membership, Public Education, Certification and Ways and Means. No Standing Committee shall be chaired by the USLA President, Vice President or Secretary.
Section 3 – Special Committees The following shall be considered special committees: Competition, Heroic Acts, Junior Lifeguard, Magazine Publication and Website. Additional committees and professional advisory boards may be created by the President or Executive Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors. No Special Committee shall be chaired by the USLA President, Vice President or Secretary.
Section 4 – Nomination’s Chairperson A. Selection At the Spring meeting of the Board of Directors, in each odd numbered year, the President shall appoint a Nominations Chairperson to solicit nominations for and interest in nationally elected and appointed officers. B. Notification The Nominations Chairperson shall notify the Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the election of candidates for national office. The Secretary shall include a copy thereof in a mailing to all Regional Boards of Directors, Directors and Officers. Said mailing may be accomplished by electronic means. C. Additional Nominations Any Director may make nominations from the floor at the time of the election.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 23 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 United States Lifesaving Association President Activity Report
Date: April 2010 Officer: President (B. Chris Brewster)
Introduction
I am pleased to provide an update on my work since the fall 2010 meeting in Williamsburg. Much of my work is routine, but daily, involving answering, and routing or handling inquiries; providing support to committee chairs, regions, and chapters; and representing the USLA publicly. In absence of an Executive Director, I try to perform the administrative functions that would otherwise be handled by that person. I have attempted here to address some highlights of specific items that may be of interest. I would like to thank so many of you who have done so much work between the Board meetings. Clearly, the business of the USLA does not stop at the closing of each Board meeting. Without your diligence, the work of the USLA could not go on.
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Special Projects 1.1. Intellectual Property: Worked with our attorney, Dickstein Shapiro, to address use of the term American Lifeguard by another organization. This work is ongoing. 1.2. Educational DVDs: Made a presentation at the National Recreation and Parks Association’s National Aquatic Conference in Houston to promote interest in these DVDs. Agencies are strongly encouraged to purchase these DVDs to support their training and the USLA’s development of training material. 1.3. NOAA Relations: Worked with National Weather Service officials to help them improve their rip current forecasting program. 1.4. Huntington Beach: Assisted the lifeguard association for the City of Huntington Beach with a review of materials related to budget cuts. 1.5. Rip Current Symposium: Attended this event in Miami, along with Mr. McManus and other members of the Southeast Region. 1.6. National Park Service Alliance: Coordinated a relationship with the National Park Service for review of the Web Ranger program, to provide feedback on water safety related aspects. Mr. Davis is taking the lead on this project, in collaboration with Ms. Blair and Ms. Boyer. 1.7. USLA Website: Collaborated with Rob Williams, Charlotte Graham, and Charlie Hartl with respect to a website update for the USLA, involving the comprehensive review of various alternatives and a memorandum (attached) discussing options. 2. General Business 2.1. USLA Logo: Worked with our attorney to renew the trademark registration for the USLA logo. 2.2. USLA Nationals 2010: Worked to support Mr. Zebrowski in his efforts to finalize the hosting of the event. 2.3. USLA Nationals 2011: To avoid a conflict of interest which Mr. Zebrowski must avoid, I have taken the lead in working out details of the 2011 agreement. It is hoped this will be finalized as soon as the 2010 agreement is finalized.
Page 1 of 3 2.4. USOC: In consultation with Mr. More, submitted a proposal, consistent with discussions at our November Board of Directors meeting, for review and feedback. 2.5. Certification: Worked to help Mr. Pryor in his new assignment. 2.6. Annual Report: Wrote and published on our website the 2009 Annual Report of the USLA. 2.7. Combined Federal Campaign: Assisted Mr. McManus in the prodigious work he accomplished in submitting this application, for which he is due great thanks. 2.8. Boyer Retirement: Represented the USLA at the retirement ceremony of Reenie Boyer. 2.9. Tax Submission: Assisted Mr. Williams in his work to submit a thorough tax filing for 2009. 2.10. Children’s Book: Coordinated a review of a children’s book by Ms. Boyer and Ms. Blair for an outside source seeking USLA endorsement. 3. Lifesaving Development 3.1. New England: Continued discussions with Mr. Shotwell, Mr. McManus, and the Cape Cod chapter regarding revival of a New England Region structure. 3.2. Panama City Beach: Worked with the Southeast Region President regarding this ongoing issue. 3.3. Mexico: In concert with Mr. Davis, worked to address issues related to conflicts regarding lifesaving assistance in Mexico and the Mexican Lifesaving Association. 4. Income and Sponsorship 4.1. Ford: Worked with Mr. Zebrowski to support the relationship with Ford Motor Company. 4.2. Ingram: Assisted Ingram with respect to some requests for support. 4.3. Hobie: Helped review a brochure mentioning the USLA. 4.4. Isaac: Worked with Mr. More and Mr. Zebrowski to finalize this contract. 4.5. AED: Referred an AED manufacturer to Mr. Zebrowski for review. 4.6. Opa Cove: Accepted and referred a sponsorship proposal (see attached) regarding child PFDs to Mr. Zebrowski. 4.7. Whistles for Life: Accepted and referred a sponsorship proposal (see attached) regarding whistles. 4.8. Board Game: Arranged for a review of a board game, by Ms. Blair, for an outside source seeking to market a lifesaving themed board game. 5. International Relations 5.1. International Life Saving Federation: I continue to serve and to interrelate internationally in support of the ILS. My thanks to Peter Davis, Charlie Hartl, Dr. Wernicki, Reenie Boyer, and others for their work. 5.2. Americas Region Issues: Continued to collaborate with ILS Americas Region Secretary General, Peter Davis, on various lifesaving development issues within the Americas. Most recently, this has involved commissioning production of a training video in Spanish, funded by the ILS-AM. 5.3. Saxon Bird: Wrote a letter of condolence (attached) to Surf Life Saving Australia regarding the loss of a lifesaver in the national championships. 5.4. Brian Velvin: Wrote a letter of recommendation (attached) for a national (government) award for the former chairman of Surf Life Saving New Zealand. 6. External Communications 6.1. News Media: Responded to a variety of requests from news media. Most recently Aquatics International and Men’s Health. 6.2. Anesthesiology: With Dr. Wernicki and Dr. Skip Culp, had a letter to the editor of this medical journal published (attached).
Page 2 of 3 6.3. Natural Hazards: Wrote a letter to the editor of this international peer reviewed journal challenging an article on rip currents, based heavily on USLA statistics. This letter is approved for publication, but awaiting publication. 6.4. Letter to Aquatics International: Wrote an editorial reply (attached) to an article on rip currents which had previously been published and which appeared to have a number of misleading elements. 6.5. National Recreation and Parks Association: Made two presentations at the National Aquatics Conference in Houston, Texas – one on drowning worldwide and one on our National Lifeguard Agency Certification Program. 6.6. YMCA of the USLA and American Red Cross: Continued a dialogue among our three organizations, which involves regular communications and coordination on issues of mutual interest. This is a very strong working relationship which includes the ongoing work of the Lifeguard Standards Coalition. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. Please see Executive Committee Agenda. Attachments
1. Letter to Anesthesiology 2. Letter from the National Park Service 3. Opa Cove Letter 4. Whistles for Life Letter 5. Brian Velvin Recommendation 6. Saxon Bird Condolence 7. Aquatics International Letter 8. Website Update Memorandum
Page 3 of 3 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 1
CORRESPONDENCE Anesthesiology 2010; 112:245–55 Copyright © 2009, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Drowning: Lifeguard Rescue the most basic equipment, whereas others have positive end- and Resuscitation expiratory pressure available, along with advanced airway devices. To the Editor: The authors promote the value of immediate oxygen ther- We applaud the recent article by Drs. Layon and Modell1 as apy in the field, but this is only available to some lifeguard a timely and thorough review of drowning, from epidemiol- agencies, many of which expend funds on Automatic Exter- ogy to treatment. In fact, the scope of the drowning problem nal Defibrillators, which the authors note are rarely of value may be even larger than initially presented, with more than in drowning resuscitation. In addition to further research, 400,000 global drowning fatalities in the year 2000 as esti- the medical community should direct efforts toward pro- mated by the World Health Organization.* We fully concur moting the provision of lifeguard protection and improving that further research in the area of drowning treatment is field resuscitation techniques, such as supporting advanced needed, but the greatest success with the least risk and most airway interventions, because drowning remains an acute re- promise involves drowning prevention and rescue. This can spiratory insult. Positive patient outcome is more likely to be achieved by teaching populations to swim and encourag- result from expeditious rescue and field resuscitation than ing swimming in lifeguard-protected areas. Lifeguard ser- treatment in the emergency department or in the intensive vices are often among the first cut by agencies attempting to care unit days later. reduce operating expenses, yet lifeguards offer “significant Anesthesiologists, as experts in airway management and economic and social savings to society”2 because of their low resuscitation, are uniquely positioned to aid in drowning relative expense and high success rate. treatment. Over a decade ago, this author (W.C.C.) helped In 2008, lifeguards working for agencies reporting to the develop an educational relationship with a university anes- United States Lifesaving Association reported more than thesiology department and a local lifeguard organization.‡ 70,000 rescues from drowning at beach venues alone. They This ultimately led to increased airway skills with lifeguard further reported more than 4.5 million preventive actions supervisors and a protocol for tracheal intubation by selected (such as moving swimmers away from rip currents or other lifeguards with advanced medical training (paramedic or hazards), which helped avoid the need for rescue or medical physician). Ocean lifeguards can respond well before most treatment. United States Lifesaving Association statistics ambulance services, but most have limited practice with ad- consistently show a relative chance of drowning death while vanced airway training. This could serve as a great opportu- in a lifeguard-protected area of only 1 in 18 million visits.† nity for anesthesiologists to teach the use of the bag-valve Meanwhile, media reports of would-be citizen rescuers dying mask, oral and nasopharyngeal airways, and the laryngeal in rescue efforts are common. mask airway, among other devices. As the authors note, “patients who are awake and oriented Drowning is a global problem that can be dramatically upon arrival to the emergency department survive without reduced by teaching people how to swim, by encouraging neurologic sequelae if treatment of their pulmonary problem swimming in lifeguarded areas, and by improving field resus- is successful,” but “the initial prehospital therapy clearly citative techniques. Promoting attention to the entire con- affects patient outcome.” They further note a very low tinuum of the drowning prevention spectrum will result in success rate for those who arrive unconscious in the emer- the best possible outcome. We thank the authors for bringing gency department. this topic to the readers’ attention. Although most rescues by lifeguards are routine, allowing William C. Culp, Jr., M.D.,§ B. Chris Brewster, B.S., the victim to walk away, some result in the need for medical Peter Wernicki, M.D. §Scott & White Hospital, The assistance. Most lifeguards in the United States are trained in Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Temple, resuscitation. In some areas, this is basic, whereas in others, Texas. [email protected] lifeguards are emergency medical technicians up to the para- medic level. Some lifeguard agencies struggle with providing References
1. Layon AJ, Modell JH: Drowning: Update 2009. ANESTHESI- * http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/publications/ OLOGY 2009; 110:1390–401 other_injury/en/drowning_factsheet.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2009. 2. Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group. † http://www.usla.org/Statistics/public.asp. Accessed June 1, Edited by Branche CM, Stewart S. Atlanta, Centers for 2009. Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury ‡ The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Depart- Prevention and Control, 2001 ment of Anesthesiology; Galveston County Sheriff Department Beach Patrol. (Accepted for publication September 15, 2009.)
Anesthesiology, V 112 • No 1 245 January 2010 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 2 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 3 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 4 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 5 United States Lifesaving Association
PO Box 366 Huntington Beach, California 92648 Tel: 866-FOR-USLA (866-367-8752)
www.usla.org
22 March 2010 B. Chris Brewster President
Joe McManus Vice-President Graeme Cullen, Chairman Nikki Bowie Board of Directors Secretary Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Rob Williams 3/33 Newton Street Treasurer Mt. Maunganui 3116 New Zealand Charles Hartl Executive Delegate Dear Graeme, Peter Davis Liaison Officer It is my understanding that my colleague in lifesaving, Brian Velvin, is being Tim Gallagher considered for a national honor in your civil list. Who better? Advisor
Dr. Peter We rnicki I believe I first met Brian in 1996, when he attended a pivotal meeting of the Medical Advisor International Life Saving Federation Board of Directors, on which I had served John “Chip” More since the inaugural meeting the prior year. Over the years, I have had the Legal Advisor pleasure of working with Brian in his many capacities, internationally, including as a fellow member of the ILS Board of Directors and as a key member of the ILS Sport Commission, as well as a referee.
Brian is a fellow of the highest order, who I have found to be ethical, dedicated, gentlemanly, and extraordinarily pleasant. His contributions to international lifesaving and lifesaving sport have been extraordinary. He is an enormously positive representative of your country.
I understand this honor is of a national sort, but from a global perspective, in my estimation, Brian has had a profound impact on the spirit and practice of lifesaving everywhere.
Lifesaving Aye,
B. Chris Brewster President President's Report April 2009 Attachment 6 United States Lifesaving Association
PO Box 366 Huntington Beach, California 92648 Tel: 866-FOR-USLA (866-367-8752)
www.usla.org
B. Chris Brewster March 19, 2010 President
Joe McManus Vice-President
Nikki Bowie Ron Rankin AM, President Secretary Surf Life Saving Australia
Rob Williams Locked Bag 2 Treasurer Bondi Beach, NSW, 2026 Australia Charles Hartl Executive Delegate Dear Ron, Peter Davis Liaison Officer On behalf of the United States Lifesaving Association, allow me to express our Tim Gallagher most heartfelt condolences for the loss of surf lifesaver Saxon Bird of the Advisor Queenscliff SLSC. The entire global lifesaving community is surely Dr. Peter We rnicki tremendously saddened by this loss and those of us from the USA no less so. Medical Advisor
John “Chip” More Kindly pass on to his parents and fellow lifesavers that each of us feels this Legal Advisor loss, though we did not know him, and wish them the best in this tragic moment. When a lifesaver falls, we all lose a bit of ourselves.
Our best wishes to the entire Surf Life Saving Australia family.
Lifesaving Aye,
B. Chris Brewster President President's Report April 2009 Attachment 7 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
UNITED STATES LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: April 2, 2010
TO: Rob Williams, Treasurer Charlotte Graham, Membership Chair Charlie Hartl, Executive Delegate
FROM: B. Chris Brewster
SUBJ: USLA Website Upgrade Options
This memorandum is intended to provide some options for consideration in upgrading the USLA’s website. It is based on input from each of you, a review of various articles, participation in three webinars, a review of the websites of the companies, and extensive follow-up with three companies.
BACKGROUND
Many years ago, the Board of Directors agreed to allow me to create a website for the USLA. It was one of the first websites for associations and seemingly appreciated by our members. It was custom designed, which allowed us to be very specific in the design, but which also required (and requires) a fee for any changes. That website is now understandably considered archaic in web terms, especially for an association wishing to encourage membership and participation by members. The fee based change model also discourages regular updating, and we are of course constrained by any limits on the expertise of our provider. Compared to other organizations, aspects of member relations, in particular, seem to be holding us back from meeting our full potential. However, our funds and resources are limited in designing a new, custom site.
In doing the background work for this memorandum, I began with the following basic assumptions.
Goals
1) Maintain the current offerings on our website, but upgrade the look and feel. 2) Allow the website to be regularly updated inexpensively or free, ideally by a non- technical volunteer or volunteers (including the Secretary and various committee chairs). 3) Allow integration of membership sign-up and access, so that members can sign-up online, update their profiles online, be electronically reminded when membership is to expire, and have access to password protected areas as a member. 4) Integrate our member database and collect demographic information that can be used in sponsorship pitches. 5) Allow for event registration (versus scoring), which could include meetings and seminars, for example. President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
I have included some more detailed desired features in Attachment 1, based on your collaborative input.
It seems clear that there are two primary options in proceeding. One is to contract with a company to create a new custom website. This is what we did initially and we remain with the original contractor. This approach was trendsetting at the beginning, but our website is now dated. We could clearly select a new contractor. However, using this approach would likely mean that we would pay for each new feature we might like or adjustments thereto, even though many of the features we would want are common to many other associations.
The second option is to go with a provider of association management software and services that would offer most of what we desire at a pre-determined cost, allowing us to handle most of the updates ourselves, accepting that some features we desire may simply be unavailable. The relative benefits of custom versus off-the-shelf can be found through this hyperlink, if you are reading this memorandum electronically, or on the website of www.internet4associations.com. Please recognize that this is a biased presentation from one of the evaluated companies.
A third option is a blend of the above. In that option, we would use an off-the-shelf system, but continue to use customized approaches for specific needs that the system cannot handle. The advantage here would be less cost, overall, but leaves the door open for customizing in cases that the overall system doesn’t meet each of our needs. An example of this might be our agency statistics, which may be too complex and customized for a standardized system.
There are a number of options available. Two articles proved particularly helpful to my review:
http://www.idealware.org/articles/fgt_ams.php http://www.idealware.org/articles/low_cost_integrated.php
Some of the options noted in the aforementioned articles are aimed at specific groups with a focus inconsistent with ours. For example, Democracy in Action (democracyinaction.org) is targeted at advocacy groups, so its features are skewed in that direction. Another example is Network for Good's Donor Management Suite (groundspring.org/services/dms.cfm), which is aimed at donor management.
EVALUATION PROCESS
In total, I reviewed 18 options. Once I narrowed the focus to five of these sites, I participated in three interactive webinars, ranging in length from 1 – 1½ hours. Since each offers a wide range of features, which are difficult to compare directly, I assembled a table of the major features, and sent these tables to each of three of the companies. I asked each one to fill them out and return them, which they did. That comparison of costs and features can be found in Attachment 2. This is probably the most useful part of this memorandum.
It is important to note that the systems outlined in these articles and referenced in this memorandum are primarily association management solutions. They are not primarily aimed at
2 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
website hosting, although those I have called out below allow for building web pages. Since we are an association of members and want to try to serve, manage, and increase membership, as well as encourage donations, this aspect is potentially enormously valuable. Some associations would use these features and have their own separate websites, to which these features would be a “plug-in.” However, the options highlighted in this memorandum allow us to both host our website and offer integrated member/donor relationships. Each option offers standard templates or allows us to design a custom look and feel.
Each of these systems involves a fully integrated database. A member can sign-up, pay online, make changes to member data as appropriate (e.g. address), renew, etc. We can send reminders for membership sign-up, override the system to sign up members, etc. In some cases, described later, memberships can be set up to automatically remind members or even automatically renew members. This could greatly ease the burden and reliance on chapters for recruiting and encouraging members to renew, as the system could automatically perform some or all of this. Depending on how we proceed, we could decide to eliminate the current fixed membership year concept and simply make people a member for 12 months (maybe with a grace period), from the time of payment. (This would require a change in our membership card printing.) In this case, the member would then control the membership year, as is typical for many associations.
Each system allows for the creation of custom forms to allow for event sign-up. In the simplest example, Board of Directors meeting forms could easily be created to allow individuals interested to sign up and pay online for various options (e.g. meals), to pay only for the educational conference, etc. Also, we can require, if we wish, that people be members to do this. In a more complex example, we can arrange registration for the Nationals, requiring people to first log-in, thus demonstrating that they are a member before signing up, and also that they are an appropriate class of member to participate. This signup database can be exported to the scoring system we already own. An added bonus is that the regions could use the system for their event sign-ups (competition and meetings/seminars) and that would have no additional cost.
Each option allows us to create pages at will and at no additional cost, in a fairly simplified what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) process. This would allow, for example, the Public Education Committee to add or modify pages as desired, subject to approval of the administrator.
Some providers allow levels of access, which restrict certain pages to members at certain levels. For example, we could create forums, but decide that only professional members and alumni members can post messages on the forums. (We could also have pages that only members of the Board of Directors could see, to upload materials or share information via blogs.) This has the potential of creating member value, by allowing only USLA members to view certain pages and information. An example might be the current Job Bulletin Board, where we could require, at minimum, Associate Member level (open to anyone), to view the BB, or even a website access fee. This would force non-members to pay a fee to read job offerings.
These sites can be used for ecommerce, allowing us to sell items from the site. This feature may or many not be desirable, but several of the offerings allow the collection of sales tax, shipping, etc. In any case, this feature would be good for event sign-ups, as previously explained.
3 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
All of the options allow for some form of email blasts to members, in some cases standard newsletters and the like. It appears that they can be targeted, for example, to professional members only, juniors only, or to a given chapter only.
Some options include the possibility of subgroups. This could allow, for example, all the members of Chapter X to all see each other (their fellow members) and to see information on what is going on. The chapter leader, in the case of one provider, could upload information about upcoming events. This could allow creation of de facto mini-websites by chapters without them, again creating member (and chapter) value, and helping chapters in their recruiting.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The top five options for us appeared to me to be the following:
Wild Apricot – Cost: $2,160/yr. Comments: This is perhaps the cheapest, simplest, and easiest to use of all the solutions. However, it is aimed at somewhat smaller organizations and has a database limit of 15,000. (They advise that you can go beyond the limit, but the database will slow down.) Its blast email capabilities appear to be limited and it is a bit unclear how chapters would interrelate. Its website content management tool is strong.
Internet4Associations – Cost $4,435/yr. Comments: This is a much more robust system, able to handle a larger database, and includes a variety of additional, valuable options. A concern about this one is the add-on costs for support and assistance. A value of this one is the ability to integrate our existing, highly valued, statistics page, for a set-up fee.
Z2 Neon – Cost $4,788/yr. Comments: This system appears to be much more customize- able, but a somewhat more wonky interface. It appears to me that we get more flexibility, at the price of a bit more complication. I may have been tired of webinars when I got to this one, but I found it a bit confusing.
Your Membership – Cost $5,995/yr. Comments: While seemingly more expensive, many features that have a cost in the two prior examples are included here. This has a very intuitive approach. A particular strength is the interrelationships of the members it allows, including unlimited local chapter mini websites and monitoring, as well as connections to Facebook and Linked-in. A downside is that they do not seem to be able to have any way to recreate our statistics page, so we would need to arrange a custom solution at a cost. A resource list, including a recorded webinar can be found here: http://www.yourmembership.com/resources/
Affiniscape – Cost $9,500/yr plus, setup fee $7,000 (est.) This is a more customized solution that would avoid some of the off-the-shelf limitations. It is unclear from their website what they might charge for the features we desire and it seemed out of our price- range, so I have only included it as a possibility in case the preceding seem too limiting.
My opinion is that any of these would represent a substantial improvement to our present site and that we should move forward expeditiously. Each of them does offer some method whereby we
4 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
could pay a fee for a transfer from our existing site, which we might well wish to consider, as we have only so much time. Alternatively, one or more of us could do the work at no cost. After that transfer, we should be able to do most of the work ourselves, but we will need to candidly evaluate who will have the time and skills to oversee this. We would probably wish to start with limited access, then figure out how to allow further access.
I realize that these costs may seem high to some, however, I have a feeling that this approach could substantially improve our membership numbers. We would not need to rely anywhere near as much on local chapter recruiting, which would lessen the burden on chapters and likely increase member sign-up and retention, perhaps even after lifeguards move on to other professions (i.e. become lifeguard alumni). The creation of password protected areas on the site, restricted to members, could encourage membership. Offering local chapter sites, or at least the ability to see others who are in your chapter, could increase interest. Annual reminders, similar to other membership organizations, would target members individually and remind them to renew.
Our administrative headaches would decline substantially, since most members would enter and update their own data. Overall, we would likely be perceived as a much more professional membership organization.
The features in some of these programs, if we had them custom designed, would cost far more. Each system mentioned that as they add features, they typically include them at no additional cost. Z2Neon, for example, said that if a customer asks for a custom application, they are charged for it, but if it looks like it would have broad appeal, they then offer it to everyone as an added feature at no cost.
I propose that you review this memorandum and attachments, particularly Attachment II. (Please pay close attention to the footnotes, as they clarify a number of issues.) I suggest that we then consider jointly participating in webinars for all three, or at least the top two. My perception of them and yours may well be different. Each webinar is one hour long and would allow us to jointly review all this information and collaboratively ask questions. Obviously I have participated in webinars for all three, and Charlie in one, but I think it is worth the time for me to hear them again. In the case of Your Membership, there is a recorded webinar you can review at your leisure, which is noted in the overview of that company on a prior page of this memorandum. You could review that at your leisure and we could later get on a webinar with them for questions only. I’d recommend going through that one anyway, as an example of what is offered.
Attachment I USLA Website – Current Features to Retain Attachment II USLA Website Options Comparison Attachment III Yourmembership.com brochure Attachment IV Internet4Associations brochure Attachment V Z2Neon brochure
5 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
Attachment I
USLA Website – Current Features to Retain
Sponsor recognition (logo and link) Home page with links to key items Donation page (mail-in check system) Membership sign-up process for all membership levels Various information pages (e.g. International Life Saving Federation information) National structure page with map, geographic boundaries, and links to regional officers-needs update List of officers and special assignments with email links (needs update) Lifeguard agency database Document upload areas for key documents (e.g. Bylaws and Lifeguard Library) Statistics – Interactive database for uploading by agencies and public viewing Bulletin Boards Public Education home page, including educational quizzes for kids Video uploads (publics service announcements) Lifeguard salary interactive database Store American Lifeguard Magazine database Hidden site for distribution of Board meeting materials to Board members Hidden site for distribution of Certification materials Certified agency list Email aliases for officers (needs update)
USLA Website – New Features Desired
Enhanced, updated home page, including current events Easy modification and addition of pages at no cost by key USLA officials (e.g. committee chairs) Bulletin boards restricted to use by USLA members (site login compared to USLA membership) Certified agency database, with contacts Corporate membership sign-up Donation page (via credit card or mail-in check) Member database Member sign-in for view of certain pages Membership reminders and sign-up (annual) Agency database – enhanced (being developed by Charlie) NOTE: Should be relational, so that changes in one area are updated in others. Enhanced sponsor recognition opportunities Regional sub-sites controlled by regions Chapter sub-sites that can be restricted to members thereof, to encourage membership Event sign-up (nationals, maybe regionals) Photo Gallery – Updated Live Surf Links Competition Results – Archive Competition Database
1 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
Attachment 2 Website Provider Comparisons
Your Internet Z2 Neon Feature Membership 4 .com Associations $5,995 $4,435 $5,3881 COST ANNUAL Possibly $02 $175/hr3 $5,2494 COST FOR INITIAL SETUP (not website design) None None None COST TO DESIGN WEBSITE USING STANDARD TEMPLATES Consultant5 $175/hr $6,7496 COST FOR CUSTOM DESIGN AND SETUP Included $175/hr7 Included8 SUPPORT Included $175/hr9 Included10 TRAINING None 200MB11 60GB12 WEBSITE SIZE LIMIT None None None WEBSITE PAGE LIMIT None 5 None13 LIMIT ON NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS
WEBSITE BUILDER Yes Yes Yes Can use as main website Yes Yes Yes Can have unlimited pages on website Yes Yes Yes Fully integrated website content manager Yes Yes Yes What you see is what you get WYSIWYG Yes No No14 Standard site design included in cost Yes Yes15 Sort of16 Standard website design templates (free) Yes Yes Yes Custom website designs (for a fee) Yes Yes Sort of17 Search engine optimization Yes Yes Yes Can use own web address (www.usla.org) Yes Yes Yes Manual control over site metatags Yes Yes Yes Can include sponsor advertising No Yes18 Yes19 Can create custom database (e.g. http://www.usla.org/Statistics/public.asp)
1 This is the cost for 15k-25k people in the NEON database & Our Basic Web Hosting Package with CMS 2 Standard price is $1,495. Sometime after participating in a webinar, they offered Charlie Hartl a fee waiver, perhaps not understanding the connection with USLA 3 Support for initial set-up is free for 60 days with a three year commitment. 4 NEON & OpenCMS using our Import Template for data import 5 They recommend some outside services to handle and provided no quote 6 With Member Pages Viewable by Type of Member & Adding Authorize.net CC Vendor 7 Support contract recommended, which provides 2 hrs per month at $150 and $135 after. 8 Web Support Center, Recorded Training, Help Videos, Setup & User Guides are included. 9 Four hours free with three year commitment. $135/hr with support contract. 10 “Live” Personal 4-5 hour Web Training is included 11 Additional storage is billable at .20/MB/Month. 12 Additional for $2/GB 13 Five free. Unlimited for $20 each. 14 We upload your templates and give you control to easily build out your website using them. For $5,000 we can also offer full original web design. 15 Some basic ones for free or custom for a fee, see: http://design.internet4associations.com/ 16 We upload your templates and give you control to easily build out your website using them. For $5,000 we can also offer full original web design. 17 We offer basic recommendations for SEO and the CMS helps promote good SEO 18 Three year commitment includes four hours of graphic design integration. Additional hours billable by the hour. 19 This would use our NEON database which has many customizable features
1 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
FORMS Yes Yes Yes Can create customized, dynamic forms Yes Yes Yes Secure forms for ecommerce Yes Yes Yes Can include waivers (liability) in forms
MEMBERSHIP DATABASE Yes Yes Yes Direct member controlled application and data entry Yes Yes Yes Member controlled data updates Yes Yes Yes Administrator controlled data updates and renewals Yes Yes Yes Can manually or automatically approve a member Yes Yes Yes Unlimited membership categories Yes20 No21 Yes Automatic deduction option (e.g. monthly, yearly) Yes Yes Yes Searchable member database Yes Yes Yes Can have organization (e.g. corporate) members No22 Yes Yes23 Member change history Yes Yes Yes Unlimited demographic fields for members Yes Yes Yes Financial transaction history by member No24 Yes Yes25 Can batch deposit checks Yes No Yes Facebook, Linked-In, etc. links Yes No No Member can create buddy list
PASSWORD PROTECTED AREAS Yes Yes Yes Secure (password) member areas Yes Yes $1,20026 Multiple level access for member categories
ECOMMERCE Yes Yes Yes Online store option with custom forms Yes Yes Yes Can sell PDF documents Yes Yes No Shipping rate calculator Yes Yes Yes Sales tax calculation option Yes Yes Yes Credit card payment See note27 See note28 See note29 Credit card transaction cost No30 No Maybe31 Can use own credit card processor Developing32 No Yes E-check payment
EVENT REGISTRATION Yes Yes Yes Conference/event registration Yes Yes Yes Pre-populated event registration
20 Requires that we use Bluepay for credit card processing. Also two reminders prior to membership expiration 21 Can send automatic reminders 22 No - however admin email alerts can contain change history 23 You can see a list of changes made by each staff member, and "created by" and "last updated" will show on the record 24 No, however can record check deposits in batches via the API 25 We have a "batch" entry screen for keying in multiple check transactions and attaching them to the right records 26 This would cost $1,200 to customize and add to NEON 27 None from YourMembership, but BluePay is the credit card processor and must pay their fee 28 Must use Payflow Pro or Authorize.net at their rates. No additional fee. 29 See Authorize.net 30 Yes, for manual processing, but only BluePay for real-time processing 31 If they are compatible with Authorize.net we can connect for $300 32 No, but this is currently in development
2 President's Report April 2009 Attachment 8
Yes Yes Yes Unlimited fields for event forms (e.g. meals) Sort of33 Yes Yes Fields can add to cost (e.g. multiple options for final price) Yes Yes Yes34 Variable fields for event levels (e.g. member discount) Yes Yes Yes Printer friendly receipts for registrants
MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS Yes Yes Yes Email blasts to members Yes Yes Yes Newsletters, with standard formats
ACCOUNTING Yes Yes Yes Accounts receivable and transaction records Yes35 QuickBooks Not yet36 Download to accounting package
DONATIONS Yes Partially37 Yes Donation collection and reminders Monthly38 No Yes Automatic donation deductions (i.e. annual or monthly)
FORUMS Yes Yes Yes Unlimited forum creation Yes Yes Yes39 Forums open to registered members Yes40 Yes As above Forums viewable to unregistered members
FILE POSTING Yes Yes Yes File upload and posting 15MB No Fee41 File size limit
SUBGROUPS Yes No42 Fee43 Can have interactive local chapter membership pages Yes Yes Sort of44 Can have infinite subgroups Yes Yes No Can assign administrator to subgroups Yes Yes No Subgroup admin can message group members
MISCELLANEOUS Yes Yes45 Yes Can have fee based job posting site Yes Yes Yes Can have news sites with RSS feeds Yes Yes Yes Can do surveys and quizzes
33 Multiple ticket options are available, but not based on answers submitted within the form 34 Not only different ticket prices, but members can be granted automatic discounts 35 Export in csv now, and QuickBooks is coming soon 36 QuickBooks export due in Q4 37 Reminders are manual (generated by administrator) 38 No annual renewal process, per se 39 The forum can be made public, or hidden behind a login, or hidden behind a member login, but it would be the same set of forums where ever it is put 40 Read only 41 You can purchase different packages for overall storage size. Starts at $20 for 1GB 42 Can have local chapter member pages, but not interactive. 43 We would have to give a quote for creating web pages only accessible by members from certain areas, unless this fit into the customization for member pages only viewable by certain member types. There would be an additional fee to have a different web template for the areas. 44 You can group people in unlimited ways, but all staff logged in would be able to see them equally 45 If a paid, log-in service, then $850/yr
3 United States Lifesaving Association Vice-President Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Joe McManus Introduction
Thanks to the Gulf Coast Region and Galveston Lifesaving for hosting the meeting. Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. I worked with President Brewster and Treasurer Williams to complete the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) application for 2010. 2. I am currently pursuing the enactment of “National Lifeguard Appreciation Day” through Senator Bill Nelson of Florida. 3. I am currently working with President Zebrowski to help reorganize the New York City Chapter of USLA, as per the request of local lifeguards there. 4. I attended an International Rip Current Symposium in Miami this past February. I had an opportunity to meet Peter George (SLSA) and Erik Bech (DL) for an exchange of ideas. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. I recommend that the Ways & Means Committee request funding from the board for a campaign to solicit donations for the USLA Foundation. This might include a solicitation letter targeting both current and former USLA members. Perhaps a SASE inserted into ALM would jump start contributions with minimal cost to the treasury. I volunteer to oversee this project. 2. I suggest that a section of the new usla.org website contain information regarding USLA’s charitable group member status with the CFC, so professional lifeguards, whose employers participate in the campaign, can be informed of their option to donate directly to USLA through payroll deduction. I also suggest the USLA Foundation be given prominent space on the new website.
Attachments 1. Letter to Senator Bill Nelson regarding National Lifeguard Appreciation Day.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association
PO Box 366 Huntington Beach, California 92648 Tel: 866-FOR-USLA (866-367-8752)
www.usla.org
March 15, 2010 B. Chris Brewster President Senator Bill Nelson Joe McManus 716 Hart Senate Office Building Vice-President Washington DC 20510
Nikki Bowie Secretary Dear Senator Nelson,
Rob Williams The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is America’s non-profit, professional Treasurer association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. USLA works to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, Charles Hartl Executive Delegate national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means. Peter Davis Liaison Officer Each year America’s lifeguards stand ready to protect those who visit our nation’s Tim Gallagher beautiful beaches. Lifeguards annually perform millions of actions that prevent serious Advisor injury and rescue hundreds of thousands of beach visitors caught in life threatening rip currents. Dr. Peter Wernicki Medical Advisor In the interest of promoting public awareness of the vital role lifeguards play in keeping John “Chip” More Legal Advisor our nation’s beaches and beachgoers safe, and in order to recognize the often heroic efforts of American lifeguards, I ask you to join the educational efforts of the United States Lifesaving Association by sponsoring:
NATIONAL LIFEGUARD APPRECIATION DAY
The recent heroic efforts of Martin County lifeguard Dan Lund offers just one example of the dedication to lifesaving that resides in each and every lifeguard.
USLA can supply the statistical justification for this recognition. Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can work together to officially appreciate the work of our heroic lifesavers. Lifeguards for life!
In lifesaving,
Vice-president, USLA 772 240 0310 United States Lifesaving Association Secretary Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Nikki Bowie
Introduction
I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity to continue to serve the USLA and its members as the Secretary. With the elections came some new officers and I am very excited to work everyone as I believe we have an incredible team of volunteers, without whom the USLA would not function as well as it does. As you can see below, it has been a fairly quiet six months for me as secretary. I continue to be available to help any committee or officer as needed. Thanks and I am looking forward to a productive meeting in Galveston.
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Produced the meeting minutes from the Fall Board of Directors meeting in Williamsburg. 2. Produced “Thank You” letters for donations to the USLF and USLA. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. At the Fall Meeting I asked that each committee chair advise me of any specific action in their reports that may result in a Policies and Procedure change. This is just a friendly reminder so that we can avoid having to go back through past meetings to update the Policies and Procedures as I can do a review after each meeting.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Treasurer Report Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Rob Williams
Introduction
I am very excited to return to Galveston for this Board of Directors Meeting. I believe much will be accomplished and nothing will be superfluous.
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. The USLA Budget continues to strive. We have fallen below expectations in some areas. However, we continue to be fiscally sound and increase our reserves. 2. A Bank of America Maximizer Account was opened recently to try to find the best interest rates for our reserves. Money has been transferred from Fidelity to BofA for better rates. 3. A Paypal account was opened to receive funds from Uniserv Incorporated, which uses Paypal to collect monies on the USLA’s behalf from DVD and merchandise sales. 4. 2009 Budget Clarifications/Area of Notes – The below notes are formulated from the current 2009 Budget year. 4.1. Income 4.1.1. ALM Revenue – Above Expectations for this line item. Thanks to the ALM Editor for his efforts in advertising. 4.1.2. Certification – Above Expectations generated from raise in Certification Fees. 4.1.3. Competition Income – Received a large Sponsorship from Ford ($26,303.23) for National Games and Referee Uniforms. 4.1.4. Consultation Fees – Received Money for consultation work completed by USLA Delegate. 4.1.5. Interest – Fell well below expectations due to struggling economy and interest rates. 4.1.6. Membership Dues – Professional Memberships were in line with expectations. However, Junior Lifeguards fell below expectations since a check was not received until January, 2010. 4.1.7. Miscellaneous Income – Received reimbursement monies from a trademark application that was never filed. 4.2. Expenses 4.2.1. ALM Expenses – Costs were significantly lower than previous years due to switching printing vendors and mailing costs. This enabled us to lower the 2010 budget line item. 4.2.2. Competition – Monies received from Ford were paid out to the host for expenses incurred. 4.2.3. Consultation Expenses – Fees approved by BOD for expenses incurred by a delegate for a consultation. 4.2.4. Educational DVD – Expenses incurred for initial setup of DVD production and sales. Received monies from 2009 sales in 2010 budget year. 4.2.5. Marketing Agent - $20,000 was put into restriction for anticipated signing of contract. 4.2.6. Regions % of Member Dues – Came in below expectations because of Jr. Lifeguard Membership check received in 2010 budget year.
Page 1 of 8 5. 2010 Budget Clarifications/Area of Notes – The below notes are formulated from the current 2010 Budget year. 5.1. Income 5.1.1. ALM Revenue – We are collecting ad revenue from the most recent issue published. The ALM Editor is also working with some advertisers on some back issues ad money owed. 5.1.2. Donations – We have received $1,075 for the Public Education Coloring Book Project. 5.1.3. Membership Dues – $28,170 Junior Lifeguard Membership for the 2009 – 2010 Membership year was received in January. This should increase the income from this line item. 5.1.4. Royalties - $3,072 was received from Uniserv Incorporated, through Paypal, for our “Royalty” on the Educational DVD produced and now being sold. 5.1.5. Sponsorship – We have received monies from Zubrella, Eyeking (Hobie) and Finis. 5.2. Expenses 5.2.1. ALM Expenses – Current issue mailing costs have been paid. Printing and setup costs to follow. 5.2.2. Competition - $14,000 Annual Allocation for National Team Travel was allocated on March 31, 2010. 5.2.3. Donation – Money was moved into the Mexican Lifesaving Fund for the portion of the interest earned in 2009. 5.2.4. International Relations – ILS Annual Dues paid - $2,663.12 includes wire charges.
Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. Advise Board and Ways & Means Committee of any action items received. Attachments
1. 2009 Year End Balance Sheet 2. 2009 Profit & Loss Budget 3. 2010 Balance Sheet – March 31, 2010 4. 2010 Profit & Loss Budget – April 7, 2010 5. 2009 Competition Liability Report 6. 2010 Competition Liability Report 7. 2009 Mexican Lifesaving Fund Liability Report 8. 2010 Mexican Lifesaving Fund Liability Report
Page 2 of 8 United States Lifesaving Association Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2009 Dec 31, 09
ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking/Savings
Bank of America
Bank of America Checking 17,917.79
Bank of America Maximizer 170,188.20
Total Bank of America 188,105.99
Fidelity Investments 30,367.93
Paypal 0.99
Total Checking/Savings 218,474.91
Total Current Assets 218,474.91
TOTAL ASSETS 218,474.91
LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities
Long Term Liabilities
Competition - National Team 9,792.53
Marketing Agent Restriction 20,000.00
Mexican Lifesaving Fund 28,233.09
Total Long Term Liabilities 58,025.62
Total Liabilities 58,025.62
Equity
Unrestricted Net Assets 138,488.76
Net Income 21,960.53
Total Equity 160,449.29
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 218,474.91
Page 3 of 8 United States Lifesaving Association Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual January through December 2009
Jan - Dec 09 Budget $ Over Budget Income
ALM Revenue 18,889.00 16,000.00 2,889.00
Awards/Presentations Income 0.00 50.00 (50.00)
Certification Fees 11,900.00 10,000.00 1,900.00
Competition Income 60,647.42 40,500.00 20,147.42
Consultation Fees 3,000.00
Donations 2,377.91 5,000.00 (2,622.09)
Interest 961.96 2,500.00 (1,538.04)
Membership Dues 133,359.00 167,500.00 (34,141.00)
Miscellaneous Income 1,085.13
Royalties 3,419.93 4,550.00 (1,130.07)
Sponsorship 15,351.07 16,000.00 (648.93)
Total Income 250,991.42 262,100.00 (11,108.58)
Expense
American Lifeguard Magazine 40,080.83 60,000.00 (19,919.17)
Awards & Special Presentations 1,312.53 1,000.00 312.53
Certification Administration 4,384.03 4,000.00 384.03
Competition 61,578.76 42,500.00 19,078.76
Consultation Expenses 1,000.00
Database 0.00 3,000.00 (3,000.00)
Donation 432.00
Educational DVD 2,967.61 1,000.00 1,967.61
Insurance & Bonds 7,039.17 8,000.00 (960.83)
International Relations 3,449.76 5,000.00 (1,550.24)
Junior Lifeguards 400.00 1,000.00 (600.00)
Mailings 51.31 250.00 (198.69)
Marketing Agent 20,000.00 2,000.00 18,000.00
Membership Kits 42,263.51 56,000.00 (13,736.49)
Miscellaneous 97.43 1,000.00 (902.57)
Office Expenses 787.53 1,000.00 (212.47)
Presidential Discretionary Fund 0.00 2,000.00 (2,000.00)
Professional Fees 2,565.13 3,500.00 (934.87)
Public Education 8,628.00 10,000.00 (1,372.00)
Public Relations 0.00 500.00 (500.00)
Regions % of Member Dues 21,433.00 32,000.00 (10,567.00)
Telephone/Internet 416.59 500.00 (83.41)
USLA Travel and Meetings 8,849.70 11,000.00 (2,150.30)
Website 1,294.00 7,000.00 (5,706.00)
Total Expense 229,030.89 252,250.00 (23,219.11)
Net Income 21,960.53 9,850.00 12,110.53
Page 4 of 8 United States Lifesaving Association Balance Sheet As of March 31, 2010 Mar 31, 10
ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking/Savings
Bank of America
Bank of America Checking 8,931.06
Bank of America Maximizer 164,345.05
Total Bank of America 173,276.11
Fidelity Investments 30,370.52
Paypal 5.11
Total Checking/Savings 203,651.74
Total Current Assets 203,651.74
TOTAL ASSETS 203,651.74
LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities
Long Term Liabilities
Competition - National Team 23,792.53
Marketing Agent Restriction 2,750.00
Mexican Lifesaving Fund 28,096.21
Total Long Term Liabilities 54,638.74
Total Liabilities 54,638.74
Equity
Unrestricted Net Assets 160,449.29
Net Income -11,436.29
Total Equity 149,013.00
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 203,651.74
Page 5 of 8 United States Lifesaving Association Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual January through December 2010 April 7, 2010
Jan - Dec 10 Budget $ Over Budget
Income
ALM Revenue 2,708.00 18,000.00 (15,292.00)
Certification Fees 600.00 10,500.00 (9,900.00)
Competition Income 0.00 38,500.00 (38,500.00)
Donations 1,094.05 3,000.00 (1,905.95)
Interest 129.58 1,500.00 (1,370.42)
Membership Dues 29,635.00 185,000.00 (155,365.00)
Royalties 3,456.15 3,000.00 456.15
Sponsorship 2,656.74 16,000.00 (13,343.26)
Total Income 40,279.52 275,500.00 (235,220.48)
Expense
American Lifeguard Magazine 4,682.95 49,500.00 (44,817.05)
Awards & Special Presentations 886.56 2,000.00 (1,113.44)
Certification Administration 388.30 4,000.00 (3,611.70)
Competition 14,000.00 34,200.00 (20,200.00)
Database 0.00 3,000.00 (3,000.00)
Donation 115.00
Educational DVD 67.88 500.00 (432.12)
Insurance & Bonds 0.00 8,000.00 (8,000.00)
International Relations 2,663.12 5,000.00 (2,336.88)
Junior Lifeguards 0.00 1,000.00 (1,000.00)
Mailings 0.00 250.00 (250.00)
Marketing Agent 0.00 20,000.00 (20,000.00)
Membership Kits 13,869.83 71,000.00 (57,130.17)
Miscellaneous 0.00 1,000.00 (1,000.00)
Office Expenses 239.56 1,000.00 (760.44)
Presidential Discretionary Fund 100.00 2,000.00 (1,900.00)
Professional Fees 63.05 3,500.00 (3,436.95)
Public Education 8,035.00 15,000.00 (6,965.00)
Public Relations 0.00 500.00 (500.00)
Regions % of Member Dues 6,069.00 34,500.00 (28,431.00)
Telephone/Internet 143.34 500.00 (356.66)
USLA Travel and Meetings 0.00 11,000.00 (11,000.00)
Website 0.00 7,000.00 (7,000.00)
Total Expense 51,323.59 274,450.00 (223,126.41)
Net Income (11,044.07) 1,050.00 (12,094.07)
Page 6 of 8 United States Lifesaving Association Competition – National Team As of December 31, 2009 Date Name Memo Paid Amount Balance
Competition - National Team 244.11
03/10/2009 Deposit Annual Allocation 14,000.00 14,244.11 04/13/2009 Mike Murphy International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 13,744.11 04/13/2009 Ryan Matthews International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 13,244.11 04/13/2009 Paul Mangen International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 12,744.11 04/13/2009 Dave Cartidge International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 12,244.11 04/13/2009 Matt Caines International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 11,744.11 04/13/2009 Loriann Mark International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 11,244.11 04/13/2009 Renee Locarnini International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 10,744.11 04/13/2009 Brian Murphy International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 10,244.11 04/13/2009 Caroline Marani International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 9,744.11 04/13/2009 Emily Ward International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 9,244.11 04/13/2009 Jay Butki International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 8,744.11 04/13/2009 Tracey Crothers International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 8,244.11 04/13/2009 Jennifer Noonan International Surf Rescue Challenge -500.00 7,744.11 05/07/2009 Jay Butki Finis Equipment for ISRC -278.94 7,465.17 09/12/2009 Deposit Donation for Athletes Travel Expenses 5,846.09 13,311.26 09/13/2009 Brian Murphy Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 12,811.26 09/13/2009 Jay Butki Sanyo Bussan Challenge -846.09 11,965.17 09/13/2009 Micah Carlson Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 11,465.17 09/14/2009 Paul Mangen 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 10,965.17 09/15/2009 Shane Scoggins 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 10,465.17 09/15/2009 Kristen Purdy 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 9,965.17 09/16/2009 Alison Riddle 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 9,465.17 09/16/2009 Taylor Spivey 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 8,965.17 09/20/2009 Garret Thibodeau 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 8,465.17 09/20/2009 Emily Ward 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 7,965.17 09/20/2009 Jennifer Noonan 2009 Sanyo Bussan Challenge -500.00 7,465.17 09/20/2009 Deposit $5 per Adult Registration minus Expenses 2,152.36 9,617.53 11/09/2009 Tim Gallagher Donation from 50/50 Rafle to National Team 175.00 9,792.53
Total Competition - National Team 9,548.42 9,792.53
TOTAL 9,548.42 9,792.53
Page 7 of 8 United States Lifesaving Association Competition – National Team As of April 7, 2010 Date Name Memo Paid Amount Balance
Competition - National Team 9,792.53
03/31/2010 Deposit Annual Allocation 14,000.00 23,792.53
Total Competition - National Team 14,000.00 23,792.53
TOTAL 14,000.00 23,792.53
United States Lifesaving Association Mexican Lifesaving Fund As of December 31, 2009 Paid Date Name Memo Amount Balance
Mexican Lifesaving Fund 23,152.97
01/01/2009 Deposit Annual Allocation from Interest 11.5% 432.00 23,584.97 03/10/2009 Chartwell Charitable Foundation 3rd payment for Mexican Lifesaving Fund 5,000.00 28,584.97 03/13/2009 Jack Buck Gas Money requested by Karl/Burnside -100.00 28,484.97 03/19/2009 Neoverve.com Invoice #10642 -251.88 28,233.09
Total Mexican Lifesaving Fund 5,080.12 28,233.09
TOTAL 5,080.12 28,233.09
United States Lifesaving Association Mexican Lifesaving Fund As of April 7, 2010 Date Name Memo Paid Amount Balance
Mexican Lifesaving Fund 28,233.09
01/01/2010 Deposit Annual Deposit for Interest earned in 2009 115.00 28,348.09 03/22/2010 Neoverve.com CC online -251.88 28,096.21
Total Mexican Lifesaving Fund -136.88 28,096.21
TOTAL -136.88 28,096.21
Page 8 of 8 United States Lifesaving Association Executive Delegate Activity Report
Date: April 29,2010 Officer: Charlie Hartl
Introduction
First, let me say that I am very honored to have been elected to the position of Executive Delegate. Thank you again for your support and I will continue to do my best for our organization. USLA By-Laws Section 4, G,5,a&b state the duties of the Executive Delegate which follows: a) The Executive Delegate shall investigate and attempt to resolve those issues that arise during the daily operations of the USLA. b) The executive Delegate shall prepare a written report including all duties and activities for each meeting of the Board of Directors. Since I do not anticipate that we will be needed for any investigative issues, I have reached out to the President for anything that we may do to help him. His initial thought was to somehow expand our knowledge of the areas that we associate and to gather info for all open water aquatic areas. We presently have an ‘Agencies’ web page, a ‘Salaries’ web page, ‘Certified Beaches’ web page and a ‘Statistics’ page. We should use those sources along with our dated ‘Emergency Services Guide’ to expand our database and have all of this available on our web site.
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. We should work to actually create a database of all beaches in each region (USLA or not). This data base would contain data that would be of value to all of us. The inclusion of the beaches not presently associated with us is to make sure we don't forget them, but also to have the necessary information to contact them when needed. Portions of this database would also be available to all from our web site and also be managed by each beach and us. Updating of data could be done at anytime. Ultimately we would have one database that will have all the gathered info of the organization and beyond. This would include the stats, certifications, members, beaches, officers, committee chairs, etc... 2. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. Review all present data. 2. Expand data collection. 3. Have volunteers gather data from each region. 4. Work with web chair to incorporate data to our web site. Attachments
1. Draft ‘Input Sheet Instructions’ 2. Draft ‘Data Input Sheet’
Page 1 of 1
DIRECTORY DATA INPUT SHEET INSTRUCTIONS
Please fill in as much of the form as possible. If you have additional information please place it on the back of the form and annotate the front. Most items are self-explanatory. Headquarters and mailing addresses may be the same. If your operation is seasonal the mailing address and business phone # will be considered your winter contact information.
DEPARTMENT: Assigned governmental department TRAINING STANDARD: USLA, Red Cross, YMCA, or other SEASON: State year round or enter seasonal dates CHAPTER AFFILIATION: USLA Chapter AREAS OF OPERATIONS: Name of beaches, bays, rivers, lakes, and other areas covered SERVICES: Check all that apply and add other services not listed ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please add any information on back as needed
Please return completed form to: Charlie Hartl 13 Rowland Pl Neptune City, NJ 07753-6008
Fax: (732) 988-3667 E-mail: [email protected] DIRECTORY DATA INPUT
Agency Name: Headquarters Address: Mailing Address: City: City: St: St: Zip: Zip: Emerg HQ Ph#: Bus Ph#: County: Department: Training Standard: Season: USLA Certified(Nat.): Chapter Affiliation: Areas of Operations: 1 7 2 8 3 9 4 10 5 11 6 12
Services: (check all that apply) Ocean Rescue Bay Rescue Inland Water Rescue River Water Rescue Swift Water Rescue Pool Rescue Coastal Cliff Rescue First Aid Scuba Diving Accidents Harbor Patrol Ocean Rescue Boat PWC Inland Rescue Boat House Emergencies Highway Accidents Underwater Search & Rescue Helicopter Medical Evaluations Ocean & Harbor Fire Suppression Water Safety Education Law Enforcement Junior Lifeguards Ice Rescues United States Lifesaving Association Liaison Officer Activity Report
Date: 4/28/2010 Officer: Peter Davis
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Finalized work on Lifeguard Standards Coalition Committee- details on the coalition in Dr. Wernicki’s report. 2. Continuing communication and ongoing projects with our NOAA rip current project. 3. Ongoing facilitation of communication between outside individuals and groups requesting information, training, jobs, etc from USLA. 4. Worked with a committee to review information for a joint public education partnership with the National Park Service on their new “Web Ranger” project. Special thanks to USLA President Chris Brewster, Public Education Committee Chair Denise Blair, Junior Guard Committee Chair Reenie Boyer, and Treasurer Roberto Williams for their time and input. 5. Continued work within the America’s Region of the International Lifesaving Federation as the Secretary General ILS-AM. Although our Full Member in Peru has stepped down, it looks as though we have very promising possibilities for new Full Member applications in the near future from Ecuador, Uruguay, and Colombia. There is a longer range possibility of membership from a different group in Peru. Special thanks to all USLA members who were involved in any of a number of lifesaving efforts in the Americas.
Attachments
1. Letter from Paul Dunning to President Chris Brewster and Peter Davis regarding “Project Ecuador” right after Carnival talking about what an impact all the volunteers had. I included it because I felt it exemplifies what the spirit of lifesaving and of lifesaving development is all about, and thought others would enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Page 1 of 1 This is a letter from Paul Dunning, with “Project Ecuador” to Chris Brewster, President and to Peter Davis, Secretary General of the America’s Region of the International Lifesaving Federation on February 23rd, 2010.
Hi Chris/ Peter!
This year was an amazing adventure. We continued our training in the northern province of Santa Elena and expanded training to the province of Manabi. Over 250 rescues were made by the Ecuadorian's and USA volunteers with NO drownings in our 10+ covered beaches. The Montanita guards reported the greatest number of rescues and administered CPR to several victims, and all were revived!!! (still waiting for final # but I think it was 4 to 6 victims). Truly unreal for the Ecuadorians and volunteers! My Ecuadorian group in the northernmost region pulled a heart attack victim out of the water and administered CPR, then transported the victim to the hospital. Great success stories!
After Carnival, I flew to Quito to meet with the Ministry of Tourism leaders along with my Director Gabriela Munoz Ocana. We met with the #2 and #3 officials and, after a 45 minute presentation they agreed to move forward to join the ILSF and immediately begin the application process. A letter of intent will be sent shortly to Chris from the Ministry officials.
A national lifeguard association will be formed, Salvavidas del Ecuador and the ILSF fees will be paid by the Ministry. Certification of lifeguards is forthcoming, and the previously trained lifeguards by Project Ecuador are the first to be certified. A national training program later this year will be led by Project Ecuador's Directors Rodney Williamson and Bridget Srodon, who will be living/staying in Ecuador for many months.
I have such a great team of volunteers! I'm on top of the world!
Please visit the website blog for more details... www.ecuadorlifeguards.org/blog
Also, please visit the Project Ecuador Facebook page for photos, videos, etc
Salvavida Aye! Paul
United States Lifesaving Association MEDICAL ADVISOR Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Peter G. Wernicki, M.D. FAAOS
Introduction
I share a special, kindred feeling when returning to Galveston. Our presence here helps to support local hurricane recovery efforts. We in Florida are all too familiar with the aftermath of these devastating storms and wish to help in any way possible.
Last month, I took a weekend trip within Florida. While reviewing hotel options in the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Florida tour book, I came across the following section: “Safety at Florida’s Beaches -… Swimming at an unguarded beach presents a risk to swimmers, not only through injury or drowning, but also through the dangers of rip currents, dangerous or poisonous marine animals and other hidden hazards. However, many Florida beaches are guarded by trained, certified ocean lifeguards. To ensure your safety and that of your family, be sure to swim only when ocean lifeguards are present. A list of guarded beaches is available from the United States Lifesaving Association and the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association….” This passage brought a proud smile to my face. Thanks to whoever was responsible for this ideal public safety message. It clearly illustrates the influence and mission of the USLA.
Activities and Accomplishments (since prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Work on the Lifesaving Standards Coalition is nearly complete. The public comment period brought nearly 300 responses. The chairs carefully read and reviewed each comment. When supported by scientific evidence, we made appropriate modifications to the statements. The final document should be ready shortly, and published within the next few months. Thanks to Peter Davis, Peter Chambers, and B. Chris Brewster for all your hard work. Thanks also to Carl Martinez, Dan McCormack, and the others who supplied comments and suggestions.
2. ILS Medical Committee work continues. At the upcoming October ILS board meeting in Egypt, new and revised medical position statements will be presented, and hopefully approved, by the Lifesaving Commission and the full board. In November, these will be reviewed with the USLA. For a period of time this winter while the current Chair recovered from an illness, I served as the Chair of the Medical Committee. I am happy to report that Sr. Tony Handley - recovered fully before I could do any serious damage to the committee’s work.
3. My ILS Anti-doping Committee involvement also continues. Several lifesaving athletes from other countries were sanctioned for violations. Our US athletes should note that there is a new list of banned substances (JAN 2010), requiring new testing and document procedures. Please see me for further information.
4. I continue to chair the Aquatics Sub-council of the American Red Cross Advisory Committee. Through this work, I am able to assure that the USLA is the authority in open water lifesaving. I Page 1 of 2 also assure consideration of the USLA’s interests - in any national lifesaving initiatives from the CDC, Model Aquatic Health Code, etcera.
5. Please review the article in the recent edition of American Lifeguard on the “Lifeguard Rescue Survey”. This independent, anonymous survey gathers information on lifeguard rescues and responses. Roy Fielding, - Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is conducting the survey. The information collected goes beyond that included in the USLA statistics, but it should not take away from our own work. The survey involves all rescue locations, including pools, and is endorsed by the American and Canadian Red Cross. The goal is to apply the information generated to help shape future knowledge and training. We hope that the USLA Board of Directors will officially endorse the completion of the survey by its members and agencies. The URL is http:/water-rescue.uncc.edu, (including an application for mobile use).
6. A Letter to the Editor of Anesthesiology on drowning and water rescue by Dr Culp, Mr. Brewster, and myself -appears in the January edition. A copy is attached. Also attached is a copy of the original drowning article that prompted the letter. This reference is an excellent review on the epidemiology, physiology, and treatment of drowning.
7. The biennial meeting of the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Update will be held in December 2010 in San Diego. The conference will follow the anticipated changes to be outlined in the new American Heart Association CPR guidelines. I will help to coordinate the program which hopes to include more water rescue professionals and organizations. Please -contact me for further details.
8. With pleasure, I report that I have recently been appointed to an Associate Professorship of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Florida Medical School.
Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. That the USLA endorse and support the voluntary completion of the UNCC “Lifeguard Rescue Survey” by our members and agencies.
Attachments
“Letter to the editor”, William C. Culp, Jr., M.D., B. Chris Brewster, B.S., Peter Wernicki, M.D.; Anesthesiology 2010; 112:245–55.
“Drowning: Update 2009”, A. Joseph Layon, M.D.,* Jerome H. Modell, M.D., D.Sc. (Hon); Anesthesiology 2009; 110:1390–401.
Page 2 of 2 CORRESPONDENCE Anesthesiology 2010; 112:245–55 Copyright © 2009, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Drowning: Lifeguard Rescue the most basic equipment, whereas others have positive end- and Resuscitation expiratory pressure available, along with advanced airway devices. To the Editor: The authors promote the value of immediate oxygen ther- We applaud the recent article by Drs. Layon and Modell1 as apy in the field, but this is only available to some lifeguard a timely and thorough review of drowning, from epidemiol- agencies, many of which expend funds on Automatic Exter- ogy to treatment. In fact, the scope of the drowning problem nal Defibrillators, which the authors note are rarely of value may be even larger than initially presented, with more than in drowning resuscitation. In addition to further research, 400,000 global drowning fatalities in the year 2000 as esti- the medical community should direct efforts toward pro- mated by the World Health Organization.* We fully concur moting the provision of lifeguard protection and improving that further research in the area of drowning treatment is field resuscitation techniques, such as supporting advanced needed, but the greatest success with the least risk and most airway interventions, because drowning remains an acute re- promise involves drowning prevention and rescue. This can spiratory insult. Positive patient outcome is more likely to be achieved by teaching populations to swim and encourag- result from expeditious rescue and field resuscitation than ing swimming in lifeguard-protected areas. Lifeguard ser- treatment in the emergency department or in the intensive vices are often among the first cut by agencies attempting to care unit days later. reduce operating expenses, yet lifeguards offer “significant Anesthesiologists, as experts in airway management and economic and social savings to society”2 because of their low resuscitation, are uniquely positioned to aid in drowning relative expense and high success rate. treatment. Over a decade ago, this author (W.C.C.) helped In 2008, lifeguards working for agencies reporting to the develop an educational relationship with a university anes- United States Lifesaving Association reported more than thesiology department and a local lifeguard organization.‡ 70,000 rescues from drowning at beach venues alone. They This ultimately led to increased airway skills with lifeguard further reported more than 4.5 million preventive actions supervisors and a protocol for tracheal intubation by selected (such as moving swimmers away from rip currents or other lifeguards with advanced medical training (paramedic or hazards), which helped avoid the need for rescue or medical physician). Ocean lifeguards can respond well before most treatment. United States Lifesaving Association statistics ambulance services, but most have limited practice with ad- consistently show a relative chance of drowning death while vanced airway training. This could serve as a great opportu- in a lifeguard-protected area of only 1 in 18 million visits.† nity for anesthesiologists to teach the use of the bag-valve Meanwhile, media reports of would-be citizen rescuers dying mask, oral and nasopharyngeal airways, and the laryngeal in rescue efforts are common. mask airway, among other devices. As the authors note, “patients who are awake and oriented Drowning is a global problem that can be dramatically upon arrival to the emergency department survive without reduced by teaching people how to swim, by encouraging neurologic sequelae if treatment of their pulmonary problem swimming in lifeguarded areas, and by improving field resus- is successful,” but “the initial prehospital therapy clearly citative techniques. Promoting attention to the entire con- affects patient outcome.” They further note a very low tinuum of the drowning prevention spectrum will result in success rate for those who arrive unconscious in the emer- the best possible outcome. We thank the authors for bringing gency department. this topic to the readers’ attention. Although most rescues by lifeguards are routine, allowing William C. Culp, Jr., M.D.,§ B. Chris Brewster, B.S., the victim to walk away, some result in the need for medical Peter Wernicki, M.D. §Scott & White Hospital, The assistance. Most lifeguards in the United States are trained in Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Temple, resuscitation. In some areas, this is basic, whereas in others, Texas. [email protected] lifeguards are emergency medical technicians up to the para- medic level. Some lifeguard agencies struggle with providing References
1. Layon AJ, Modell JH: Drowning: Update 2009. ANESTHESI- * http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/publications/ OLOGY 2009; 110:1390–401 other_injury/en/drowning_factsheet.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2009. 2. Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group. † http://www.usla.org/Statistics/public.asp. Accessed June 1, Edited by Branche CM, Stewart S. Atlanta, Centers for 2009. Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury ‡ The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Depart- Prevention and Control, 2001 ment of Anesthesiology; Galveston County Sheriff Department Beach Patrol. (Accepted for publication September 15, 2009.)
Anesthesiology, V 112 • No 1 245 January 2010 Ⅵ REVIEW ARTICLES
David S. Warner, M.D., and Mark A. Warner, M.D., Editors
Anesthesiology 2009; 110:1390–401 Copyright © 2009, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Drowning Update 2009 A. Joseph Layon, M.D.,* Jerome H. Modell, M.D., D.Sc. (Hon)†
Over the past four decades, we have learned considerably tributing to drowning include unattended children at more about the pathophysiology and treatment of drowning. water sites, alcohol or other drug abuse in up to 50% of This, coupled with increased emphasis in improvement in wa- 3 ter safety and resuscitation, has produced a threefold decrease cases involving adolescents or adults, limited swimming in the number of deaths, indexed to population, from drowning ability or exhaustion, trauma, risky behavior in the wa- in the United States yearly. This review presents the current ter, rough play, deliberate prolonged submersion, exac- status of our knowledge of the epidemiology, the pathophysi- erbation of existing medical problems (e.g., seizure dis- ology of drowning and its treatment, updates the definitions of order, cardiac disease, or syncope), and attempted drowning and the drowning process, and makes suggestions for further improvement in water safety. suicide. While most drowning incidents occur in swim- ming pools (50%), these also occur in lakes, rivers, 4 DROWNING is the third leading cause of accidental streams, storm drains (20%), and bathtubs (15%). Some death in the United States.‡ In 1970, there were 7,860 persons drown in hot tubs and swimming pools where the suction generated in drains is of sufficient force to deaths from drowning in the United States.§ Based on 5 data reported for 1984 through 1987, there were ap- trap them under water ; toddlers can become trapped in proximately 80,000 persons who suffered a drowning a bucket or toilet when they lean over to play in the 4,6͉͉ episode and survived each year1 and nearly 6,000 who water contained in these vessels. died from drowning.‡§ Worldwide, approximately For approximately the past 45 yr, there has been in- 150,000 deaths per year are thought to occur from creased interest in studying the pathophysiology of drowning.͉͉ Given the incidence of 1 death per 13 sur- drowning. The expansion of this knowledge and in- vivors of a drowning episode in the United States, this creased sophistication in the critical care of drowned suggests that there are approximately 2 million survivors victims, increased emphasis on providing advanced after a drowning event, annually, worldwide. emergency medical services, improving pool safety stan- Nearly half of all persons who drown are under 20 yr dards and lifeguard training, and cardiopulmonary resus- of age; 35% are accomplished swimmers.2 Factors con- citation (CPR) training of the lay population have been instrumental in progressively reducing the death rate from drowning in the United States from 1970 to 2000. This article is accompanied by an Editorial View. Please see: ᭜ Warner DS, Bierens JJLM, Beerman SB, Katz LM. Drowning: A The death rate in 1970 was 3.87 deaths per 100,000 cry for help. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2009; 110:1211–3. population, in 1980 it was 2.67, in 1990 it was 1.6, and in 2000 it was 1.24 deaths per 100,000 population (table 1). The latest data available for drowning deaths is 3,582 * Professor of Anesthesiology, Surgery, and Medicine, Department of Anesthe- for the year 2005. Because population census is only siology University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; † Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida published every 10 years, we cannot calculate the ratio College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. of deaths per 100,000 population for this time period. Received from the Departments of Anesthesiology, Surgery, and Medicine, However, if we assume the same annual rate of growth University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. Submitted for publication September 19, 2008. Accepted for publication January 28, 2009. occurred in the United States population from 2000 to Support was provided solely from institutional and/or departmental sources. 2005 as occurred from 1990 to 2000, then the death rate David S. Warner, M.D., served as Handling Editor for this article. from drowning dropped further in 2005 to 1.19 per Address correspondence to Dr. Modell: Department of Anesthesiology, Uni- versity of Florida College of Medicine, PO Box 100254, Gainesville, Florida 100,000 population. 32610-0254. [email protected]fl.edu. This article may be accessed for personal One of us (Dr. Modell) has had the opportunity to use at no charge through the Journal Web site, www.anesthesiology.org. review over 500 cases of death from drowning that ‡ Accident Facts. Chicago: National Safety Council, 1987. resulted in litigation. Many of these deaths resulted from § Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fast stats: Deaths/mortality. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm. Accessed September omissions of basic safety precautions such as absent or 12, 2008. inadequate pool fencing, unattended young children at ͉͉ National Center for Health Statistics: Vital Statistics of the United States, water sites, faulty pool design resulting in victims be- 1990. Vol II: Mortality, Part A. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsus/ mort90_2a.pdf. Accessed September 12, 2008. coming trapped below the surface of the water, poor
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 1390 DROWNING: UPDATE 2009 1391
Table 1. Deaths per 100,000 Population in the United States tially, after submersion in and aspiration of water or Every 10 Years from 1970 Through 2000 another liquid media.2
Deaths per At the World Congress on Drowning in Amsterdam, Year Drowning Deaths* US Population† 100,000 Population The Netherlands, in 2002, many international experts 1970 7,860 203,302,031 3.87 suggested that the above terminology was confusing. 1980 6,043 226,545,805 2.67 This is particularly true when someone is retrieved from 1990 3,979 248,709,873 1.60 the water in a state of asystole and successfully revived 2000 3,482 281,421,906 1.24 with CPR. According to the above definitions, the victim 2005 3,582 Not available would be classified as “drowned” when retrieved, but
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fast stats: Deaths/mortality. after the CPR, the victim would be reclassified as “near- Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm. Accessed Sep- drowned.” If the victim then went on to die, did they die tember 12, 2008. † http://www.census.gov. Accessed September 12, 2008. secondary to complications from “drowning” or “near- drowning?” This led to the development of a new defi- pool maintenance resulting in murky or cloudy water nition of “drowning” and the “drowning process” that that obscured sight of submerged bodies, lifeguards be- was published in Circulation in 2003 as follows.8 ing distracted by socializing with others and doing other chores such as manning admission booths and doing Drowning housekeeping chores while on lifeguard duty, and Drowning is a process resulting in primary respiratory poorly trained lifeguards who did not recognize a person impairment from submersion/immersion in a liquid me- in trouble in the water or had not been properly trained dium. Implicit in this definition is that a liquid/air inter- in rescue and resuscitation techniques. Clearly, these are face is present at the entrance of the victim’s airway, all correctable issues that would prevent avoidable preventing the victim from breathing air. The victim may drowning deaths with little additional effort. We antici- live or die after this process, but whatever the outcome, pate that if pool and water safety standards are more he or she has been involved in a drowning incident. strictly enforced, and as lifeguards continue to become better trained and adhere to important basic principles The Drowning Process of surveillance, rescue, and resuscitation, the death rate The drowning process is a continuum that begins 7 will continue to decline. when the victim’s airway lies below the surface of the Finally, variability of existing definitions may make it liquid, usually water, at which time the victim voluntar- difficult to analyze and interpret published studies, ily holds his or her breath. Breath holding is usually therefore, new definitions of “drowning” and “the followed by an involuntary period of laryngospasm sec- drowning process” were proposed by a task force at the ondary to the presence of liquid in the oropharynx or 8,9 2002 World Congress on Drowning. larynx.11 During this period of breath holding and laryn- gospasm, the victim is unable to breathe gas. This results Definitions in oxygen being depleted and carbon dioxide not being eliminated. The victim then becomes hypercarbic, hy- There has been much confusion regarding the termi- poxemic, and acidotic.12 During this time, the victim nology used to describe persons who have drowned. will frequently swallow large quantities of water.13 The Dorland’s Medical Dictionary offers the following def- victim’s respiratory movements may become very active, inition of drowning: “suffocation and death resulting but there is no exchange of air because of the obstruc- from filling of the lungs with water or other substance or tion at the level of the larynx. As the victim’s arterial fluid so that gas exchange becomes impossible.”10 It is oxygen tension drops further, laryngospasm abates, and known, however, that victims of drowning frequently the victim actively breathes liquid, with the amount aspirate only relatively small quantities of water, and the inhaled varying considerably from victim to victim. lungs are seldom “filled with water.”2 Furthermore, Changes occur in the lungs, body fluids, blood-gas ten- drowning implies death, yet many victims are resusci- sions, acid-base balance, and electrolyte concentrations, tated and eventually recover. Thus, subdefinitions were which are dependent on the composition and volume of proposed in 1971 to delineate drowning and near- the liquid aspirated and duration of submersion.”12–15 A drowning events with greater accuracy. To drown with- slightly shorter modification of “drowning” and the out aspiration is to die secondary to respiratory obstruc- “drowning process” was also published by these same tion and asphyxia while submerged in water. To drown authors in the Handbook on Drowning in 2006.9 with aspiration is to die secondary to asphyxia resultant Surfactant washout, pulmonary hypertension, and shunt- from aspiration of water while submerged. To near- ing also contribute to development of hypoxemia.16,17 Ad- drown without aspiration is to survive, at least initially, ditional physiologic derangements, such as the cold shock after asphyxia resultant from submersion in water. To response, may occur in victims immersed in cold water; near-drown with aspiration is to survive, at least ini- water that is 10°C or colder has pronounced cardiovascular
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 1392 LAYON AND MODELL effects, including increased blood pressure and ectopic Drowning without Aspiration. It had been esti- tachydysrhythmias. The response may also trigger a gasp mated that approximately 10% of human drowning vic- reflex followed by hyperventilation, which can occur tims die without aspirating liquid,35 i.e., they die from while the victim is underwater.18 hypoxic cardiac arrest during laryngospasm or breath- A victim may be rescued at any time during the drown- holding. Recently, this conclusion, based on Cot’s stud- ing process and may not require any intervention or may ies36 in the early 1900s and reported in the French receive appropriate resuscitative measures, in which literature, has been challenged.37,38 Modell et al. re- case the drowning process is interrupted. If the victim is ported a different interpretation of this work in 1999 and not ventilated soon enough, or does not start to breathe questioned whether drowning without aspiration actu- spontaneously, circulatory arrest will ensue and, in the ally occurs.37 Lunetta et al. subsequently reviewed the absence of effective resuscitative efforts, multiple organ results of autopsies of 578 persons who were presumed dysfunction and death will result, primarily because of to have drowned; evidence of water was found in the tissue hypoxia. The development of posthypoxic en- lungs of 98.6% of victims studied.38 They concluded that cephalopathy is the most common cause of death in to be classified as having “drowned,” the victim must hospitalized victims who have suffered from the drown- have aspirated water. If the heart is stopped before the ing process.19,20 patient’s airway becomes submerged in the water, i.e., No two cases of drowning are identical. The type, the victim is dead, water does not passively seep into the temperature, and quantity of water aspirated may differ, lungs. Thus, aspiration of water requires active ventila- and the victim’s state of health before drowning may be tion while submerged. Therefore, persons who are important.21 Very cold water may result in rapid hypo- found deceased in the water and do not demonstrate any thermia, which decreases the victim’s requirement for evidence of water aspiration at autopsy should be con- oxygen, thereby prolonging the period of time they may sidered as having probably died of some other cause.38 be submerged and still completely recover.22,23 On the An alternative, of course, could be a homicide victim other hand, significant hypothermia may also lead to whose body was then disposed of in the water. severe delays in myocardial conduction, dysrhythmias, Breath-Holding. Craig39,40 studied the breath-holding and cardiac arrest. In addition, immersion in cold (0° to breaking point (the point at which a breath would be 15°C) water increases minute ventilation and decreases taken involuntarily) in human volunteers during simu- maximal duration of breath holding. This may decrease lated underwater swimming. He found that at rest, the the effectiveness of the “diving reflex” and increase the breath-holding breaking point was 87 s; at that time, the likelihood of drowning.24–26 partial pressures of carbon dioxide and oxygen in alve-
olar air (PAO2 and PAO2) were 51 and 73 mmHg, respec- tively. After hyperventilation, breath-holding could be Pathophysiology maintained for a full 146 s; at this time, the PACO2 in- Pulmonary Changes and Acid-Base Balance creased to only 46 mmHg, whereas PAO2 decreased to 58 The pathophysiology of drowning has been studied mmHg. When exercise followed hyperventilation, the extensively.2,12,14,15,27,28 Alterations noted are primarily breath-holding break point was only 85 s. In this in- related to abnormal gas exchange induced by pulmonary stance, while the PACO2 was only 49 mmHg, PAO2 had injury causing severe hypoxemia and resultant cerebral dropped to 43 mmHg. Craig concluded that exercise, hypoxia. Cerebral edema may follow from these proce- such as swimming, increased metabolically produced sses.29–31 Interestingly, at least in endothermic animals, carbon dioxide, and the arterial carbon dioxide tension hypoxia results in both a lowered set point of the (PaCO2) was relatively low in his volunteers because thermo-neutral zone and vasodilation.32 The result is stores had been depleted during hyperventilation; thus, hypothermia without shivering and, thus, a decrease in the urge to breathe was delayed. With exercise after oxygen consumption of about 11% per degree Celsius. hyperventilation, the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) de- The sudden onset of hypothermia during a submersion creased to levels incompatible with the maintenance of episode prolongs the time one can be submerged and consciousness before the time the level of PaCO2 had still survive after rescue and resuscitation without hy- become unbearable. He surmised that loss of conscious- poxic brain damage.33,34 One of us (Dr. Modell) has ness during underwater swimming was the result of published a case report of a child who was underwater cerebral hypoxia rather than hypercarbia. This work was for 20 min during the coldest day of the year in northern sentinel in our understanding of the pathophysiology of Florida and survived after receiving CPR and postresus- drowning during underwater swimming and breath citation intensive care.33 His cerebral function returned holding (or shallow water blackout).41 In a canine model to normal shortly after the event, and he is normal, by all of asphyxia, Kristoffersen et al.42 found that hypercarbia accounts, 6 years later. Other such reports are available without hypoxia was not fatal but that the studied ani- in the literature, including a child in Norway who was mals inevitably died when the PaO2 decreased to be- believed to be submerged for 22 min.34 tween 10 to 15 mmHg.
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From data such as these, we know that hypoxia is the Mechanism of the Pulmonary Effects Seen with single most important abnormality in death resultant Drowning. As early as 1933, Karpovich47 suggested from submersion in water. While it is possible that the that water in the alveoli and conducting airways im- added effects of acidosis and hypercarbia may contribute paired ventilation by mechanical blockage during sub- secondarily to the terminal event, the primary phenom- sequent resuscitation. Since this initial work, other enon in these cases is hypoxemia. Reinstitution of ade- investigators demonstrated that aspiration of seawater quate ventilation and oxygenation before the occur- leads to an increase in the volume of fluid within the rence of circulatory arrest and irreversible nervous air spaces of the lungs.15,48 Halmagyi17 showed that system damage results in complete and dramatic resto- the weight of rat lungs increased threefold above the 15,48 ration of function. If, however, spontaneous ventilation weight added by instilled seawater. Other studies begins while the patient is still submerged in water, showed that attempts to drain the lungs of dogs by aspiration occurs, resulting in a more complicated and gravity or mechanical suction after aspiration of sea- persistent pathophysiology and a drowning incident, water results in more fluid being harvested than was which requires additional treatment. initially instilled into the trachea. Indeed, in a canine Drowning Effects on Blood-Gas Exchange. While model of massive seawater aspiration, where the sub- multiple models have been devised to study the phenom- jects aspirated from 40 to 91 ml/kg of water, Redding 48 ena of drowning, all authors agree that hypoxia occurs et al. noted that volumes drained from the lungs in immediately upon aspiration of the fluid. Profound alter- excess of 14 to 33 ml/kg was associated with survival ations in arterial oxygenation may occur when as little only when replacement of intravascular volume was as 1 to 2.2 ml/kg of water are aspirated into the provided. The increase in lung fluid is due to the 14,15,17,43 hypertonicity of seawater, which pulls fluid from the lungs. In persons rescued within 1.5 to 2 min of 15 the onset of submersion in whom aspiration of water has circulation into the lung, resulting in hypovolemia. not yet occurred, reinstitution of ventilation and circu- Conversely, after freshwater aspiration, the lungs of rats did not increase in weight.17 When a sublethal lation results in the immediate reversal of hypoxemia. amount of fresh water was aspirated by anesthetized However, when aspiration of water occurs, the hypox- dogs,14,43,49 it was absorbed so rapidly that significant emia is persistent. Modell et al.12 showed that after amounts of free water could not be recovered from the instillation of 22 ml/kg of fresh water or normal saline airway by gravity drainage after only 3 min. solution into the tracheas of anesthetized dogs, signifi- Because seawater is hypertonic, it is relatively easy to cant arterial hypoxemia persisted even though the ani- understand why pulmonary edema occurs in patients mals were breathing spontaneously and hyperventilating who have suffered a drowning event in seawater. Pul- when the 60-min postaspiration blood samples were monary surfactant extracted from the lungs of animals drawn. Hypoxemia also resulted when volumes as small that died after total immersion in fresh water exhibit as 2.2 ml/kg were instilled intratracheally and treatment abnormal surface-tension properties, thus promoting al- was limited to restoring spontaneous ventilation and 16 13 veolar instability and collapse. Because alveoli defi- circulation. In another study, when 11 ml/kg of fresh cient in surfactant are unstable and become permeable water or seawater was instilled into the trachea, and to fluid, this is at least one factor contributing to the spontaneous ventilation was reestablished, PaO2 was re- pulmonary edema occurring after freshwater aspiration. 44 duced for at least 72 h after aspiration. Another factor that may be involved is the transient 13 A study of 91 consecutive drowning patients ana- hypervolemia that occurs with freshwater aspira- 14,29 lyzed arterial blood for PaO2,PaCO2, and pHa at various tion. In contrast, during total immersion in isotonic times after an accidental immersive event in either sea saline or in seawater, although some surfactant may be water, fresh water, or brackish water. In many of these washed from the lungs, significant quantities of normal cases, profound arterial hypoxemia was noted, with the surfactant material remain, so that surfactant extracted at PaO2 to inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2) ratio (PaO2/FIO2) autopsy displays surface-tension properties compatible ranging from 30 to 585. Only one patient with a PaO2/ with normal function. The pulmonary edema that occurs FIO2 greater than 150 mmHg died; this individual was after seawater aspiration, on the other hand, is probably judged neurologically unsalvageable, and therapy was due primarily to an osmotic gradient across the alveolar withdrawn. Two patients had PaO2 above 80 mmHg capillary membrane, resulting in fluid-filled but perfused while breathing room air on admission to the ED after alveoli.16 rescue. Both of these individuals were thought to be Whether the drowning event occurs in fresh water or victims of drowning with little aspiration or may have sea water, the end result is pulmonary edema, a decrease been retrieved before aspiration occurred.13 Although in pulmonary compliance, and an increase in the venti- the PaO2 returns to normal within 48 h in some patients, lation/perfusion mismatch. Immediately after aspiration others show persistent hypoxia for days and even weeks of either liquid, a large alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient after an episode of drowning.13,45,46 is seen, whether the subject is breathing room air or
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 1394 LAYON AND MODELL
100% oxygen. This suggests that the hypoxia seen in precise mechanism remains unclear. If the patient sur- drowning victims is due to ventilation/perfusion mis- vives for at least 12 h after drowning, only to die later, match, which spans the spectrum from absolute in- the lungs will frequently show evidence of pneumonia, trapulmonary shunt to a simple imbalance in the venti- abscesses, mechanical injury, and deposition of alveolar lation/perfusion ratio. In a detailed and, for its time, hyaline material through the third day after the drown- rather elaborate investigation, Colebatch and Halmagyi43 ing event.23 These findings are not surprising in light of studied the effects of fluid aspiration on pulmonary me- Fuller’s report that, in 70% of humans autopsied after chanics in an ovine model. Animals were divided into drowning, evidence of having aspirated material other groups of between three and seven, and either fresh than water–vomitus, mud, sand, or algae–was found. water (1 or 3 ml/kg) or sea water (l or 2.5 ml/kg) was Despite the above findings, Butt et al.46 were unable to instilled intratracheally. Compliance of the lung was demonstrate any consistent pattern of abnormality in noted to decrease by as much as 66% within 5 min of pulmonary function or arterial oxygenation of patients liquid instillation; elastic work of breathing increased who were studied after recovery from a drowning epi- five- to nine-fold, and airways resistance increased two- sode. It appears that, whatever the acute changes, clin- to eight-fold. The administration of atropine (intrave- ical pulmonary abnormalities are usually completely re- nous) or isoproterenol (intravenous or inhaled) lessened versible after recovery from a drowning episode. 50 the degree of compliance alteration noted. Intrapulmonary shunting and PaO2 can be improved During the recovery phase, after aspiration of either after drowning by the appropriate application of positive fresh water or sea water, significant hypoxia may be seen end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or continuous positive when breathing room air, even after the alveolar-arterial airway pressure (CPAP) to the airway.53–56 Early studies oxygen gradient while breathing 100% oxygen has re- on the utilization of newer modalities of therapy such as turned to normal.44,45 This finding suggests that areas of nitric oxide57 appear to be promising in the treatment of nonuniform ventilation/perfusion or diffusion alteration some other causes of severe pulmonary edema–at least cause hypoxia even after absolute intrapulmonary shunt as far as improving the physiologic parameters–but ran- is no longer clinically significant. A number of changes domized, prospective clinical studies have not yet been that occur after aspiration of fluid may also contribute to reported in the treatment of patients who have drown. this delayed defect. These include organization of a pro- teinaceous exudate, injury to the alveolar-capillary mem- Changes in Blood Volume and Serum Electrolytes brane, or secondary infection of the lung. After the aspiration of hypotonic or hypertonic fluid, A variety of microscopic findings have been reported changes other than those affecting the pulmonary paren- after fluid aspiration. After instillation of small quantities chyma were historically thought to be of considerable of fresh water (0.1 ml/100 mg body weight), rat lungs importance.27 To produce a significant change in blood did not show changes when studied by electron micros- volume requires the aspiration of a large volume of fluid. copy. After aspiration of the same quantity of seawater, If more than 11 ml/kg of hypotonic fluid is aspirated, the however, increased lung weight and intraalveolar hem- blood volume will increase in direct proportion to the orrhage were observed.17 When rat lungs were perfused amount aspirated.14,53 If the patient is successfully resus- with fresh water via the trachea, findings included a citated, this absorbed fluid is rapidly redistributed and widening of the alveolar septa, collapse of capillaries, hypovolemia may occur within 1 h.35 When a significant decrease in the number of red blood cells, enlargement quantity of hypertonic sea water is aspirated, significant of the endothelial and septal nuclei, swelling of the hypovolemia may rapidly ensue.15 When the aspiration mitochondria, and obliteration of cell outlines. These of significant amounts of either hypotonic or hypertonic changes can all be attributed, presumably, to the rapid fluid are suspected, effective circulating blood volume absorption of large quantities of fresh water from the must be followed by measuring the patient’s central alveoli. When rat lungs were perfused intratracheally venous pressure, pulse waveform or stroke volume vari- with sea water, the changes noted were less marked, and ability, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, right ven- the septal and endothelial nuclei were small and dark. tricular end diastolic volume, or transesophageal echo- Red blood cells were seen in the capillaries and, al- cardiography to assist in the determination of necessary though there was irregular folding of cell walls, the treatment. However, most drowning victims do not as- overall architecture of the lung was preserved.51 pirate enough fluid to cause life-threatening changes in In humans and animals, another frequent finding on blood volume. autopsy after death by submersion is hyperexpansion of Similarly, serum electrolyte concentrations can change the lungs, resembling acute emphysema.30 Miloslavich52 after drowning, and the degree to which they change is attributed these changes to rupture of alveoli due to dependent on the amount and type of fluid aspirated. wide fluctuations in airway pressure during violent ven- Experimental work in a canine model has shown that tilatory efforts against a closed glottis or resulting from significant persistent changes in serum electrolyte con- airway obstruction from water during submersion; the centrations did not occur with aspiration of 22 ml/kg or
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 DROWNING: UPDATE 2009 1395 less of either fresh water14 or sea water.15 Aspiration of Effects on Cardiovascular and Renal Systems volumes of water in excess of this amount will result in A wide range of electrocardiographic changes have extracellular electrolyte concentrations that reflect the been observed in experimental studies of both freshwa- resultant hypervolemia and hypovolemia that occur with ter and seawater drowning.62 Rarely, however, is a spe- fresh water and sea water, respectively. However, aspi- cific therapy required, because these changes usually ration of this large amount of water is highly unlikely in abate when adequate oxygenation has been reestab- humans who survive the drowning process, being found lished. Death from ventricular fibrillation after freshwa- in only 15% of humans who die in the water from ter aspiration is rare, but it can occur if very large drowning.58 This explains why life-threatening changes amounts of fluid are aspirated.27,53 In one canine study in in serum electrolyte concentrations have seldom been which 22 ml/kg saline or distilled water was instilled reported in freshwater and seawater drowning victims. intratracheally, bigeminy occurred in 9 of 15 dogs, and Thus, each patient’s initial intravenous fluid therapy T-wave elevation was noted in 6 of 15.12 Karch63 re- should be 0.9% saline solution, and serum electrolyte ported finding significant cardiac pathologic changes 29 concentrations should be evaluated before any specific min after either a freshwater or saltwater (6 ml/kg intra- corrective electrolyte therapy is started; hypotonic solu- tracheal instillation) drowning episode. Light micros- tions should be avoided. There is rarely any need for copy showed focal areas of disruption of the normal emergent treatment secondary to electrolyte abnormali- pattern of striation and, on occasion, of the intercalated ties unless very large volumes of water are aspirated or disks and hypereosinophilia of myocytes. On electron the drowning event occurs in an extremely concentrated microscopy, the damaged myocytes showed hypercon- liquid medium, such as the Dead Sea (Naϩ,Kϩ,ClϪ, traction with swelling and an increased lucency of the Ca2ϩ, and Mg2ϩ are 3 to 36 times as concentrated in this mitochondria; also seen in the myocyte nuclei was chro- body of water as in the Mediterranean Sea59). matin clumping and crenation. These changes were not noted in the one control animal. Although the clinical Effects on Hemoglobin and Hematocrit relevance of these findings is uncertain, they are of If large volumes of fresh water are aspirated in the interest to the further study of cardiac abnormalities presence of hypoxemia, hemolysis of red blood cells can after drowning. occur, causing plasma hemoglobin and serum potassium The sudden onset of a lethal cardiac arrhythmia has levels to increase. The hemolysis is secondary not only to been postulated as a potential event to precipitate sub- hypotonicity, but it also requires the presence of pro- mersion and drowning. Also, it has been proposed that a found hypoxemia.60 When animals received an intrave- long QT syndrome might be responsible for some nous infusion of distilled water (44 ml/kg, a sufficient drowning episodes.64,65 However, this can rarely be volume to cause severe extracellular electrolyte changes), proven because persons with a documented long QT they showed an elevated plasma hemoglobin only when syndrome may have a normal electrocardiogram at other the water infusion was associated with a concomitant times.66 Sometimes an abnormality may be found with hypoxic event (due to an occluded endotracheal tube). the performance of a molecular autopsy, but these are When the same volume of water was instilled intratra- rarely done in a forensic autopsy, which is what is cheally, profound hypoxia resulted and hemolysis usually performed in a suspected drowning victim. Fur- occurred. ther, Lunetta et al. looked for genetic mutations in 63 In a canine model of drowning, chlorinated or unchlo- drowning victims and failed to document a single case of rinated distilled water or saline at a volume of 22 ml/kg long QT syndrome founder mutations in KCNQ1 was instilled into the animals’ tracheas.12 Gross hemoly- (KVLQT1) and KCNH2 (HERG) genes.38,67 Although sis was observed in 9 of 10 animals having aspirated long QT syndrome must be considered when someone distilled water, but it was observed in none of those suddenly and unexpectedly dies in the water,68 its oc- having aspirated saline. Significant changes in hemoglo- currence is likely rare and difficult to confirm in the bin and hematocrit values are rarely found in human absence of a positive family history, a positive electro- drowning victims,13 lending further support to the the- cardiogram, or documentation of founder gene mutation ory that, although humans aspirate water during the at autopsy. drowning process, those who survive drowning, as a Renal function is usually unimpaired during a drown- rule, do not aspirate large amounts of fluid. When a ing episode; however albuminuria,31 cylindruria,30 he- sufficiently large volume of water is aspirated and hemo- moglobinuria,31,35,69–72 oliguria,35 acute tubular necro- lysis does occur, serious bleeding disorders such as dis- sis,31 and anuria35 have been noted on occasion. Several seminated intravascular coagulation may be seen.61 Only etiologies for renal dysfunction have been implicated, 1 of 91 consecutive drowning patients reported by Mod- including myoglobinuria due to muscle trauma, lactic ell et al.13 demonstrated a plasma hemoglobin level of at acidosis, hypoxemia or hypoperfusion, and hemolysis least 500 mg/100 ml; this individual later died of massive with subsequent hemoglobinemia.2 Although these are lung consolidation. not common problems, all should be considered possi-
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 1396 LAYON AND MODELL ble threats to renal function and treated accordingly et al.78 studied 66 children between April 1979 and Sep- when indicated. tember 1984. Each patient required full CPR and had an initial Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 in the ED. Each Neurologic Effects patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score was reclassified ac- Most drowning victims suffer a period of unconscious- cording to the results of a repeat neurologic examination ness secondary to cerebral hypoxia.53 Frequent neuro- upon arrival to the pediatric intensive care unit. The results logic assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale score showed 16 patients (24%) with apparently intact survival, should be performed. Both Conn et al.19 and Modell et 17 patients (26%) with vegetative survival, and 33 who died al.73 found that patients who are awake and oriented (50%). None of the patients who arrived in the intensive upon arrival to the emergency department (ED) survive care unit with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 survived without neurologic sequelae if treatment of their pulmo- neurologically intact. Fifty-five patients were also treated nary problem is successful. Between 90%19 and 100%73 with ICP monitoring and aggressive therapy directed at of patients who arrived in the ED with a blunted mental control of ICP. Despite adequate control of ICP and main- status (that is, stuporous but capable of being aroused, tenance of cerebral perfusion pressure, only eight of the with purposeful movements to pain) survived without monitored patients (14%) survived intact, 12 (21%) sur- neurologic residua. Patients who presented to the ED in vived in a vegetative state, and 35 patients died. The au- a coma, however, had much worse outcomes; 44%19 to thors suggested that, although aggressive ED resuscitation 55%73 recovered completely, but 10%73 to 23%19 had of pediatric drowning victims was justified, cerebral resus- severe persistent neurologic sequelae, with the highest citation measures needed to be subjected to critical pro- incidence occurring in pediatric drowning cases. Ap- spective evaluation before their value can be substantiated. proximately 34%19,73 of comatose patients died after Although there are no data evaluating the effects of presentation. In children who were comatose on arrival hypertonic saline resuscitation in drowning victims, an- to the ED, survival with normal brain function approxi- imal studies have suggested that these solutions help mated 44%; 39% died, and approximately 17% survived prevent elevation of ICP postinjury (global ischemia and with incapacitating brain damage.19,73 The implication focal cryogenic injury). Some,79,80 but not all,81,82 stud- of these data are that the healthy hearts of children, as ies attempting to evaluate the differential effect of hy- opposed to those of adults who may have cardiac pa- pertonic versus isotonic/hypotonic fluid to resuscitate thology secondary to the aging process, will respond to animals from hemorrhage83,84 or the effect of hemodilu- CPR even after a significant period of hypoxemia results tion80 without brain injury have noted that ICP was in persistent brain damage. lower in the experimental subjects (rabbits, dogs, and Attempts to “resuscitate” the brain in pediatric pigs) in which hypertonic solutions were used. In one drowning cases have been largely unsuccessful. Three study83 in which animals suffered a focal cryogenic brain studies74–76 involving 75 severe pediatric drowning injury, cerebral blood flow was higher and ICP lower in incidents found that, despite aggressive cerebral re- animals infused with hypertonic sodium lactate (500 suscitation attempts, which included fluid restriction, mOsm/L) as compared with lactated Ringer solution intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, intravenous (270 mOsm/L). These studies have not been performed mannitol for elevated ICP, hyperventilation, neuro- in a model of drowning. muscular blockade, barbiturates and, in some of the Two animal studies evaluating outcome in complete84 children, steroids and induced hypothermia, only 12 or incomplete85 cerebral ischemia suggest that fluid re- (16%) survived neurologically intact; the remainder placement with solutions containing glucose results in a either died, remained in a persistent vegetative state worse neurologic outcome than does replacement with or, in one case, survived with mild to moderate mental a crystalloid. Ashwal et al.86 found that elevated blood retardation. glucose levels and/or reduced cerebral blood flow mea- Conn et al.19 attempted to use hypothermia, barbiturate sured by the stable xenon technique correlated with a coma, neuromuscular blockers, hyperventilation, and de- worsened outcome – the former by 68% and the latter by hydration to enhance neurologic outcome; this treatment 50% – the precise mechanism for this has not been regimen was termed “HYPER therapy.” Although they ini- elucidated. Others note that hyperglycemia is detected tially thought that there was significant improvement in the on admission in about 33% of stroke patients,87 and that number of normal outcomes in some subgroups of persistent hyperglycemia (blood glucose level greater drowned patients, a comparable series presented by Mod- than 200 mg/dL) in the first 24 h after stroke indepen- ell et al.73 found similar results without using HYPER ther- dently predicted ischemic stroke infarct volume expan- apy. In a follow-up study to the work by Conn et al., Bohn sion and poor neurologic outcome.88 In rat models of et al.77 from the same institution were unable to substan- global ischemic injury, mitogen-activated protein ki- tiate the former’s findings. nases89– the family of which has been proposed as a Other groups also have suggested that the use of multi- major mediator producing cellular damage in diabetes modality therapy for brain protection is of little use. Allman and ischemia–and superoxide90 are noted to be in-
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 DROWNING: UPDATE 2009 1397 creased in the presence of hyperglycemia. Although prevented at all times in the acute recovery period. There these data may be mechanistically incomplete, the clin- is insufficient evidence to support the use of any neurore- ical data are compelling enough that we aggressively suscitative pharmacologic therapy. Seizures should be ap- control glucose–keeping it between 100 and 140 mg/ propriately treated. Blood glucose concentrations should dL–with care taken to avoid hypoglycemia and its atten- be frequently monitored and normal glycemic values main- dant morbidity. tained. Although there is insufficient evidence to support a
In a retrospective study of 93 patients who suffered specific target PaO2 or oxygen saturation during and after drowning events, Nichter and Everett91 showed that resuscitation, hypoxemia should be avoided. Hypotension none of the patients who required cardiotonic drugs to should also be avoided. Research is needed to evaluate obtain a perfusing cardiac rhythm survived with intact specific efficacy of neuroresuscitative therapies in drown- neurologic status. However, all patients who had reac- ing victims.”94 This recommendation is compatible with tive pupils on arrival to the ED survived neurologically the renewed interest in the use of “therapeutic hypother- intact. In another retrospective study of 55 patients, mia” in treating victims of cardiac arrest from a variety of Biggart and Bohn22 showed that, all other things being causes.95 equal, prolonged in-hospital resuscitation and aggressive treatment of nonhypothermic drowning victims resulted Treatment in an increased number of survivors in a vegetative state. Prehospital Treatment. Most episodes of drowning When accidental hypothermia occurred at the time of occur away from the hospital, and the initial prehospital the drowning episode, a better outcome usually resu- therapy clearly affects patient outcome. The central is- lted.33 Another study suggests that those children who sues that the rescuer must be concerned with when show significant neurologic improvement within hours encountering a drowned victim are: Is the victim breath- after successful CPR usually recover; those who do not ing? Does the victim have a pulse? Has a cervical spine are more likely to have a poor outcome.23 injury occurred? Despite these rather dismal data, in a study of 121 The main objective of out-of-hospital therapy is to drowned children, of whom 51 were in the C3 stage of restore normal ventilation and circulation and to normal- coma (no response to pain, fixed/dilated pupils, absence ize gas exchange, acid-base status, and the circulation as of spontaneous respiration, hypotension, and poor per- rapidly as possible. Thus, CPR must be initiated as soon fusion as described by Conn et al. and Modell et al.19,73), as the rescuer encounters a drowned victim. If the victim Nussbaum92 found that with aggressive resuscitation as is apneic, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation must be initi- noted above, 19 of 51 (37%) had complete recovery, 14 ated immediately. Ideally, the procedure is begun in the of 51 (27%) had significant brain damage, and 18 of 51 water if it can be done without putting the rescuer in (35%) died. The correlates of outcome in the C3 group danger. During mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, care must were submersion time, mean ICP, and mean cerebral be taken to maximize forward movement of the jaw perfusion pressure. Although the report of Nussbaum92 rather than hyperextension of the cervical spine, be- is encouraging, the fact that aggressive therapy is so cause cervical injury may be present. This point is espe- often unsuccessful suggests that the cerebral insult is cially important in drowning cases thought to be related related not to ICP per se but rather to the duration of the to diving.53 The importance of maintaining an adequate ischemic injury. The mechanisms for this type of injury airway cannot be overemphasized. The drowning victim have been recently reviewed.93 may have swallowed large amounts of water before A panel of experts was convened to discuss the subject losing consciousness; therefore, gastric distension from of brain resuscitation in the drowning victim in conjunc- inadequate mouth-to-mouth ventilation and/or respira- tion with the World Congress on Drowning in 2002. tory obstruction may cause the patient to regurgitate and Although they noted that there have been no specific aspirate stomach contents, with resultant aspiration controlled studies performed in drowning victims that pneumonitis.96 When the rescuer is able, the victim would conclusively dictate a specific approach to ther- must be evaluated carefully for the presence of a pulse. apy, they did make the following consensus recommen- Severe bradycardia due to hypothermia, vasoconstric- dation. “The highest priority is restoration of spontaneous tion, and/or hypoxia may make the arterial pulse difficult circulation, subsequent to this continuous monitoring of to palpate. If there is any question about the existence of core and/or brain (tympanic) temperatures is mandatory in a pulse, closed chest cardiac compression must be initi- the ED and intensive care unit and to the extent possible in ated, and artificial ventilation continued until further the prehospital setting. Drowning victims with restoration help arrives. of adequate spontaneous circulation who remain comatose As soon as more extensively trained individuals and should not be actively warmed to temperature values equipment are available, other therapeutic modalities above 32°–34°C. If core temperature exceeds 34°C, hypo- should be considered. Ventilation with a bag-valve-mask thermia (32°–34°C) should be achieved as soon as possible device using 100% oxygen should be initiated as soon as and sustained for 12 to 24 h. Hyperthermia should be available. CPAP will improve matching of ventilation to
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 1398 LAYON AND MODELL perfusion; therefore, it should be initiated as soon as gas measurements or a pulse oximeter to evaluate for the appropriate equipment is available. However, because presence of hypoxemia. Awake, alert, and cooperative CPAP will increase the mean intrathoracic pressure, its patients do not require tracheal intubation unless their effect on circulation should be monitored closely. In the pulmonary pathology does not respond favorably to en- unconscious or severely hypoxic patient or in a patient riching inhaled gas with oxygen, applying a CPAP mask, in whom the airway cannot be protected for some other or both.53 All comatose patients require tracheal intuba- reason, an endotracheal tube should be placed for air- tion; those with a blunted mental status must be evalu- way protection and to facilitate mechanical ventilation ated individually to determine what degree of airway and oxygenation. If that is not possible, a laryngeal mask support is necessary. airway or other emergency airway adjunctive measure, Spontaneous breathing with CPAP added is preferred if such as a King Tube, Combi-Tube, or cricothyrotomy, the patient can support a sufficient degree of minute may be used. In addition, a large-bore intravenous cath- ventilation with intermittent mandatory ventilation eter should be placed for fluid and drug therapy. Fluid added to clear carbon dioxide. If this arrangement does therapy is initiated with 0.9% saline solution. Drug ther- not provide adequate ventilation, the patient is fully apy should be given as needed (e.g., epinephrine, atro- supported with controlled mechanical ventilation and pine, bicarbonate, etc). PEEP. Pressure-support ventilation (starting at 10 cm The subdiaphragmatic thrust (Heimlich) maneuver has H2O) may be used to overcome work imposed by the been recommended by Heimlich for use rather than 97,98 endotracheal tube and breathing apparatus to spontane- initial CPR in the drowned victim. Previous work has ous breathing in adult patients.103,104 shown that water exiting the mouth after drowning 99 The CPAP or PEEP is titrated to maintain adequate comes from the stomach, rather than the lungs. A oxyhemoglobin saturation (Ն 95%) while using the low- thorough review of publications and testimony by the est possible FIO . We attempt to keep the PaO /FIO ratio Institute of Medicine in 1994 concluded that use of the 2 2 2 above 300 and the FIO below 0.5; a FIO below this level Heimlich maneuver is inappropriate in treating drown- 2 2 is generally considered not to put the patient at risk for ing victims unless a foreign object is obstructing the oxygen toxicity. Several controlled studies have shown airway.100 Use of this technique also may result in delay the effectiveness of CPAP with either mechanical or of effective CPR or in regurgitation and aspiration of spontaneous ventilation to treat the hypoxemia associ- gastric contents, with consequences as serious as aspi- ated with drowning.53,55 Because the work of breathing ration pneumonitis, respiratory failure, and death.100–102 with CPAP is less than with PEEP, we recommend the Automatic electrical defibrillation devices are now former for spontaneously breathing patients. In addition, available to suggest when the patient may be in ventric- Bergquist et al.56 found that adding mechanical breaths ular fibrillation and require an electric shock to termi- nate fibrillation. The rescuer should be cautioned, how- via the use of intermittent mandatory ventilation to ever, that just because an electric complex, which CPAP in otherwise spontaneously breathing animals that resembles a reasonable QRS complex, is seen on the aspirated fresh water further decreased intrapulmonary electrocardiogram screen, it does not mean that an ef- shunting. fective cardiac output is present, eliminating the need to Invasive hemodynamic monitoring is not required in continue cardiac compression. most patients. However, if there is concern as to the Finally, no matter how well the patient appears, they adequacy of intravascular volume, invasive monitoring must be taken to a hospital for evaluation, as the initial may be appropriate. While cardiac output may decrease appearance of the drowned patient may be misleading. when mechanical ventilation, PEEP, and CPAP are used, 35 Transport to the hospital should be carried out with it will usually improve with fluid loading, and pro- basic monitoring, including, at a minimum, pulse, blood longed inotropic support of the circulation is rarely pressure, respiratory rate and pattern, electrocardiogra- required. phy, and pulse oximetry. Oxygen (100%) should be In general, steroids have been shown to be ineffective in administered en route until oxyhemoglobin analysis by treating the pulmonary lesion of drowning and may, in fact, pulse oximetry demonstrates that it can be reduced worsen outcome by interfering with the normal healing safely with maintenance of hemoglobin/oxygen satura- process.13,105,106 Antibiotics are appropriate when and if tions in the mid 90s to high 90s. the patient develops signs of infection or in special cases, Hospital Treatment. Initial hospital care should em- such as submersion in a grossly contaminated body of phasize pulmonary support, with treatment individual- water. If the medium in which the individual suffered their ized to patient status. As soon as possible, arterial blood drowning event was heavily contaminated, it is appropriate gas values should be obtained to evaluate the adequacy to use broad-spectrum antibiotics before obtaining bacte- of ventilation, acid-base status, and pulmonary gas ex- rial cultures. Otherwise, antibiotic therapy should be change.53 Supplemental oxygen administration should guided by the results of bacterial cultures of tracheal secre- be continued while obtaining data from arterial blood tions. Bronchospasm may be seen in these patients and
Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 DROWNING: UPDATE 2009 1399 may be treated with either a metered dose inhaler or a drowning episode.94,95 Although there appear to be no nebulized albuterol. “magic bullets” on the horizon, multiple agents – includ- Pulmonary edema is a common finding after drowning. ing free-radical scavengers, calcium channel blockers, The application of CPAP or PEEP will recruit collapsed prostacyclin/thromboxane manipulations, blockers of alveoli, better match ventilation to perfusion and excitatory neuropeptides, and investigation of phenyt- thereby facilitate oxygenation while the underlying pul- oin have been studied after cardiac arrest.109,110 monary injury recovers. Breaking the ventilator circuit to suction or provide nebulized treatments after CPAP or Prevention PEEP have been optimized can lead to a rapid and rather The most important things we can do today to prevent dramatic recurrence of pulmonary edema and hypox- drowning deaths and a persistent vegetative state as a emia. Thus, interruption of the ventilator circuit should result of drowning are to implement standards that gov- be minimized or avoided if possible. ern safe pool design, enforce rules that require adequate Despite controversial data regarding the treatment of (at least 5-ft-high with self-closing latches) perimeter ICP, it is reasonable to consider placing an ICP monitor- fencing around pools,111 instruct lifeguards in the latest ing device in comatose drowning victims as soon as methods of waterfront surveillance and resuscitation possible after arrival at the intensive care unit. Although techniques, educate the public in prudent consumption mild hyperventilation (PaCO2 approximately 30 mmHg) of alcoholic beverages in boating, pool, harbor, marina, has been used empirically to reduce ICP in patients with and beach areas, impose severe sanctions against boat cerebral edema without an ICP monitor,107 we suggest drivers who are intoxicated, post signs in areas of dan- the use of an ICP monitoring device if hyperventilation gerous underwater tow, encourage people to learn to were to be considered in a comatose drowning victim. If swim and never swim alone, and instruct larger numbers ICP is elevated (20 mmHg or greater), hyperventilation of the general population in basic cardiac life support. to achieve a PaCO2 of 25 to 30 mmHg may be used in an attempt to decrease cerebral blood flow and thereby The authors thank Anita Yeager, B.S., Coordinator for Publications and Infor- mation Services, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of decrease the ICP while simultaneously keeping the ce- Medicine, and DeNae Flentje, A.S., Program Assistant, Self-Insurance Program, rebral perfusion pressure (defined as the mean arterial University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, for their assistance pressure – ICP) at 60 to 70 mmHg. It should be noted, in editing and processing this manuscript. however, that hyperventilation per se has not been proven to specifically reduce ICP in comatose drowning References victims. A mannitol bolus, 0.25 g/kg ideal body weight, 1. 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Anesthesiology, V 110, No 6, Jun 2009 United States Lifesaving Association Great Lakes Activity Report
Date: May 29, 2010 President: Joe Pecoraro
Activities, Accomplishments, and Information (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. There has been some great news to report ,the north shore beaches on lake Michigan have applied and have been approved as a chapter in the great Lakes region. This includes the towns of Evanston, Willmette, as well as several other life guard services. We are looking forward to working with these agencies and hope to expand our membership.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association The Gulf Cooooooooaaast Region Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 President: The Undertaker
Introduction
I hope everyone as had a good winter and look forward to seen ya’ll.
Activities, Accomplishments, and Information (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Supervisor Harrison is now full time and will be your hostess with the mostess in the hospitality suite. 2. The Galveston Island Beach Patrol has been working towards the formation of a multi-agency urban flooding response team called “Galveston Marine Response”. The primary goal is to coordinate response to a hurricane event. The group is being organized under the jurisdiction of the local emergency operation department. A secondary byproduct will be increased coordination and sharing of resources when responding to aquatic accidents on both the beachfront and the bays surrounding the island. The team will be able to integrate with the water response unit of “Texas First”, which is the state response team. 3. Coastal Coms have finished installation and the bulk of trouble shooting the system in Galveston. Coastal Coms is a sponsor for this meeting. 4. South Padre Island, on the southernmost part of the state of Texas has formed an aquatic response unit, working with the Galveston Beach Patrol. This group is working under the SPI Fire Department. They are planning to apply for USLA membership and working towards the formation of a lifeguard service.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Mid-Atlantic Region Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 President: Ed Zebrowski
Introduction
Thank you to Tony Pryor and all the Galveston members for their efforts in hosting this meeting
Activities, Accomplishments, and Information (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Election of new officers at our December meeting. President Ed Zebrowski; Vice President Tim Ferry; Secretary Ed Zebrowski III; Treasurer Bart Mataliano; Advisor Tim Gallagher; Executive Delegate Buzz Mogck; Delegate Dave Foxwell; Second Delegate Denise Blair; Third Delegate Tom Perry. 2. Selection of the following for certification officers; Ed Kiziukiewicz, Tim Harmon, Buzz Mogck, Dave Foxwell, Andy Healy and Dave Shotwell. 3. Selected dates and locations for this year’s competition. For the first time in 15 years competition is not being held in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Captain Kent Buckson graciously offered to have the venue moved to Ocean City, MD to help them in their efforts to grow membership. Regional Championships will be contested as usual over two days. Non-craft events will be held July 14th in Ocean City, MD with the craft events to be held the following week July 21st in Long Branch, NJ. The Juniors will once again be held in Sea Girt, NJ on July 26th. 4. The New York City chapter is beginning a revival under the leadership of Janet Flash. While we know that the growth here will be slow we are hopeful that it will be constant and that the local politicians will take notice and give the guards the necessary support. 5. Cape May, NJ has signed the host agreement for the 2011 National Championships. It has been submitted and awaits the Board’s approval.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Pacific Northwest Region Activity Report
Date: April, 2010 President: Cathy VonWald
Introduction
Many thanks to the Gulf Coast Region for hosting this meeting. We look forward to a productive meeting.
Activities, Accomplishments, and Information
1. Competition- Location for 2010, first option: Lake Sonoma, second option: Lake Tahoe. Dates, first option: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, second option: Wednesday, July 28, 2010. 2. Last Regional Board meeting was held on Friday, February 13, 2010 in Truckee, CA. 3. Next Regional Board meeting will be held in Santa Rosa, CA – Friday, October 1, 2010. 4. Redwood Coast will continue its partnership with City of Santa Rosa to deliver a Junior Lifeguard Program at Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa for the third summer. 5. Vamos a Nadar & Vamos a Ser Salvidas Programs will continue to be offered in 2010. A $15,000 grant has been received to expand the program state wide this year in cooperation with Red Cross. 6. Two AART Water Rescue classes were completed in the San Francisco Fire Department. Approximately 44 members of the department took part in the classes. Currently there are about 300 members of the Department that were either previously or currently certified Water Rescue members. 7. The PNW USLA looks forward to hosting the National Board of Director’s Meeting this Fall in Portland, Oregon. Watch for details.
Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. The PNW USLA would like to recommend that members be given the option of receiving American Lifeguard Magazine electronically in order to reduce costs to the National Board.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Pacific Islands Region Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010
President: Ralph S. Goto
Activities, Accomplishments, and Information (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Hawaiian Lifeguard Association continues its efforts to support the 400 professional open water lifeguards in the State of Hawaii. 2. The economic crisis has affected all lifeguard operations in the State: furloughs, pay reductions and reduced services are being discussed, and in some cases, implemented. A proposed reduction in the counties’ share of the tourist accommodation tax will certainly affect the provision of lifeguard services on all four major islands 3. Serious discussions regarding the merger of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department and the Honolulu Fire Department continue. A Request for Proposals for hiring a consultant is forthcoming. 4. Despite these distractions, professional lifeguards in the region continue to provide the highest level of services to the residents of and visitors to the State of Hawaii. 5. The 2010 State of Hawaii Drowning Prevention and Ocean Safety Conference will be held August 12-13, followed by the State Junior Guard Championships on August 14, at Kalapaki Beach, Kauai. 6. The 2010 Dukes Oceanfest will be conducted August 22-29, 2010, in Waikiki. Events include the One Mile Swim, the Waterman Challenge, and the Surfboard WaterPolo Tournament.
Attachments
1. In October of 2009, Maui lifeguard supervisor Archie Kalepa rode the length of the Grand Canyon on a stand-up paddle board. View the story at:
http://www.globalsurfnews.com/news.asp?Id_news=43602
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association South Atlantic Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 President: Tom Gill
Introduction
Thanks you Galveston for another three days of Texas sized hospitality.
Activities, Accomplishments, and Information (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. The SALA Winter Meeting was held in St. Augustine, Florida. While one cracked airplane windshield and 6 inches of snow kept the President from the meeting, it was well attended and the President sat in by conference call. Thanks to St. John’s County for a great meeting. 2. The SALA is proud to announce its Executive Board for the next two years, President Tom Gill (Virginia Beach), Vice President Ralph Wagner (Hilton Head, SC), Secretary Adrienne Groh (Charleston, SC), Co – Treasurers Mickey Hutto (Jacksonville, FL), Michael Bradley (Charleston, SC). 3. Thanks to Ralph Wagner and his crew for revitalizing the SALA Website – salausla.org. 4. The 2010 Competition will be held in Virginia Beach on July 14-15. More information is available on the SALA website. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. As this is written, the date and location of the 2010 USLA National Championships is not confirmed. We do not assign blame, however we ask that the Board continue to work towards early signed contracts.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Region Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 President: Joe McManus Introduction
The Southeast Region (SER) thanks Galveston Lifesaving for hosting the USLA Board of Directors. Activities, Accomplishments, and Information
1. SER is continuing to develop professional membership with the Florida DOH EMSAC. Lifeguards have been added to the Florida EMS Strategic Plan for 2010 – 2012. This is a first! We will work towards gaining legislation that will have a positive impact on the unacceptable rip current drowning numbers in Florida. 2. SER has been nominated for the Florida Bureau of EMS’s Injury Prevention Award for 2009 (See attached Summary Statement). 3. Martin County lifeguard Dan Lund made appearances on national broadcast TV, including the Today Show, after performing a dramatic rescue of a shark bitten surfer. Dan’s bravery and humility represent the best character traits of USLA lifeguards throughout the country. The SER is proud of Dan. 4. The SER Board approved a position statement related to a recently introduced Florida bill that would amend the beach safety flag program. In short, we oppose both the bill and the statute. A copy of the position statement is attached to this report. 5. Recently I had an opportunity to write a guest column that was widely published in Central Florida. Adapting the 2001 CDC Lifeguard Effectiveness report, I updated some stats and attempted to show the economical benefits of providing lifeguard protection in Florida. A copy of the column is attached to this report. 6. SER members McCrady, McManus, West and Shepard completed an Aquatic Safety Assessment & Recommendations report for the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Mr. McCrady’s visits to the area have led to an acceptance of USLA standards in the area and an increased lifeguard force in the City of Gulf Shores. Good work, Jim! The document is attached to this report. 7. SER continues to work towards reducing the incidence of drowning in Panama City Beach and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. Eric Swanson of the Ft. Lauderdale chapter has based his Masters Degree thesis on the a study of drowning history in LBTS; the region will pursue a strategy for PCB which involves questioning the governor about his role in the global marketing of tourists to come to unprotected Florida beaches. 8. The Ft. Lauderdale Chapter is hosting an international competition/training event in July, 2010. See Jim McCrady for details. 9. Destin Beach Safety will host SER Regional Championships this year on July 15-16, as well as the Junior Regional Competition on July 17. 10. SER purchased 1,000 USLA coloring books and 1,000 “Swim Near A Lifeguard” bumper stickers for chapter distribution this spring. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. The SER Regional Board asks the Membership and Bylaws Committees to recommend to the board a bylaw change to Article V Section 2A subparagraph 2 (Professional Membership) of the
Page 1 of 2 national bylaws to include the word “lifeguard” as a description of an employee who is eligible for professional membership in USLA. 2. The SER Regional Board has endorsed option 3 regarding Junior Lifeguard “AA” competitors (keep AA in Juniors but allow for non-lifeguard junior program instructors/assistants who receive compensation to compete in Nationals) and requests the Junior Lifeguard Committee to likewise approve option 3 and bring it to the board for approval. Attachments
1. Summary Statement for Florida EMS Injury Prevention Award. 2. SER Position Statement regarding Florida Senate Bill 0128. 3. SER president’s guest column published by Scripps News Group on February 20, 2010. 4. Alabama Beach Safety Report dated March 17, 2010.
Page 2 of 2 United States Lifesaving Association
Summary Statement
United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is America’s non-profit, professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. USLA works to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means.1
United States Lifesaving Association is a founding member of the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). ILS is a global, non-profit federation of over 100 national lifesaving organizations around the world. ILS leads the worldwide effort to reduce injury and death in, on, or around the water.2
Drowning is a global, national, and regional problem. With nearly 700 miles of accessible beaches in the state of Florida, injury prevention in and around the aquatic environment is critical to the health, safety, and welfare of the state’s residents and visitors. Injury prevention work on Florida beaches, including ocean rescue, is largely accomplished through USLA certified lifeguard agencies, through local USLA chapters and through the regional USLA Board of Directors (Southeast Region).
USLA Agency Certification Program:
USLA offers a national lifeguard agency certification program.In Florida, there are thirty-two (32) lifeguard agencies that are currently USLA certified. The USLA agency certification program is designed to standardize basic open water lifesaving techniques. It requires agencies to work within established parameters to address local conditions. USLA certified lifeguard agencies in Florida have endeavored to improve workforce safety, education, performance and satisfaction through adherence to USLA guidelines. The agency certification program has also promoted improved outcomes in patient care and safety through evaluation and benchmarking. In these ways, the USLA agency certification program is linked to Goals 1 and 3 of the 2008-2010 Florida EMS Strategic Plan.
Initiative and Best Practices:
USLA certified agencies follow the guidelines for open water lifesaving programs and standards promulgated by USLA.3 These guidelines establish both knowledge and skill objectives for individual lifeguards at the levels of open water lifeguard instructor, open water lifeguard trainee, seasonal open water lifeguard, and full time open water lifeguard. USLA has calculated the chance a person will drown while attending a beach protected by USLA affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million (.0000055%). The USLA encourages lifeguard agencies to become certified at the advanced level, which requires full time lifeguards to maintain Emergency Medical Technician certification, and hourly personnel to maintain First Responder level certification. This creates and incentive for higher levels of training. There are thirteen USLA advanced certified lifeguard agencies in Florida.
1 www.usla.org/ 2 http://www.ilsf.org/index.php?q=about/history/ils 3 http://usla.org/Train%2BCert/USLA_Guidelines.pdf
1 Response to injury problems:
In 2009, Florida’s USLA certified lifeguard agencies reported an estimated 45.7 million visitors to Florida beaches. These same certified agencies also reported 6,288 water rescues along Florida’s coasts. Perhaps even more indicative of lifeguard effectiveness, relative to injury prevention, were the numbers of preventive actions performed by lifeguards in various Florida communities. Florida’s USLA certified agency lifeguards logged over 500,000 actions to prevent injury or death in 2009, many directly linked to the prevention of drowning. Additionally, lifeguards who work for Florida’s certified agencies reported giving 324 water safety lectures, which involved nearly 30,000 students. Florida’s USLA Regional Board approved the purchase of 1,000 water safety coloring books for use in local communities and has made the coloring book template available free of charge to educators. The regional board purchased 2,000 “Swim Near A Lifeguard” bumper stickers, to reinforce the most important preventive action the beach going public can take. USLA volunteers work continually to address the mitigation of open water drowning deaths in communities around the state that do not supply lifeguard protection. In 2009, after organizing a beach safety forum in Panama City Beach, that city funded a small public lifeguard agency for the first time in its history. In their inaugural year, Panama City Beach lifeguards performed over 1,300 preventive actions and rescued seven persons from drowning. There is, however, much work that needs to be done in this area.
Integration of injury prevention into emergency care:
USLA agency certification is guided by a curriculum that stresses injury prevention. A required resource of the program is Open Water Lifesaving: The United States Lifesaving Association Manual.4 The manual provides information for the purpose of advancing techniques related to injury prevention, including open water rescue skills. Moreover, the USLA lifeguard agency certification course curriculum includes specific guidelines directly related to injury prevention, including: professional lifeguarding, environmental conditions, communications, record keeping and preventive lifeguarding.
Activity regarding injury prevention committees, task forces, or boards:
USLA operates on international, national, and regional levels. On the international level, USLA is a member organization of the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). USLA President, B. Chris Brewster, serves, on a volunteer basis, as President of the Americas Region of ILS. (The Americas Region is comprised of the countries within the Western Hemisphere.) USLA Liaison Officer, Peter Davis, serves, on a volunteer basis, as Regional Secretary General for the Americas Region. Through the efforts of Mr. Brewster, in a four year assignment as ILS Lifesaving Commissioner, along with other members of the ILS team, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently awarded ILS “Official Relations” status. In Mr. Brewster’s words, “With this official relationship, WHO acknowledges ILS as the world authority on the global effort to prevent drowning. ILS has enjoyed many years of productive ‘unofficial relations’ with WHO and looks forward to expanded collaboration to improve the global effort on drowning prevention. Since its inception, USLA has been the sole Full Member of the ILS for the United States of America. Our link with the ILS also links us to the WHO and further enhances the importance of our work in drowning prevention.”
Nationally, USLA sponsors National Beach Safety Week in an effort to remind beachgoers to use caution in the aquatic environment. This campaign has broad support regionally. USLA has also partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to produce an injury
4 2ND Edition, B. Chris Brewster, Editor ISBN 0-536-73735-5
2 prevention program promoting awareness of the dangers of rip currents. This program is known as “Break the Grip of the Rip”5 and signs explaining rip currents developed under this program are posted widely at Florida beach accesses.6 Dr. Peter Wernicki, USLA Medical Advisor, serves, on a volunteer basis, as co-chair of “The United States Lifeguard Standards Coalition,” which opened its draft outcomes document for public comment in 2009.7 The coalition mission was to research, identify and promote evidence-based standards for lifeguarding and water rescue.
Locally, the Southeast and South Atlantic regions of USLA jointly sponsor Rip Current Awareness Week, reminding beach visitors to be alert and knowledgeable about rip currents at surf beaches.8 In 2009, the Southeast Region of USLA participated in the National Drowning Prevention Alliance Summit Meeting in Miami Beach. USLA members also participated, as a constituency group, in the Florida EMSAC Strategic Visions Committee planning sessions in Claremont. This led to the inclusion of lifeguards in the Florida EMS Strategic Plan for 2010 – 2012.
5 http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/ 6 http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/signs-brochures.shtml 7 http://www.lifeguardstandards.org/index.php?pg=home 8 http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2009/06/0608_01.htm
3 United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Region Position Statement “An Act Relating To Beach Safety” Florida Senate Bill 0128
SB 0128 primarily seeks to amend statute 380.276, which has been enacted under Title XXVIII Natural Resources; Conservation, Reclamation, and Use.
The mission of the nonprofit United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means. The USLA Southeast Region (USLA SER), incorporated in the state of Florida as a 501(c)3 organization, opposes this bill for the following reasons:
1. SB 0128, as well as F.S. 380.276, which we also oppose, places a beach warning and safety flag program under the direction and coordination of the Department of Environmental Protection, a department that lacks both a public safety mandate and public safety policy expertise. 2. The existing warning flag system promulgated by the Department of Environmental Protection is inconsistent with internationally recognized beach warning flag standards established by the International Life Saving Federation and the International Standards Organization (ISO) 3. SB 0128 seeks to expand this so-called “beach safety program” to all Florida beaches, regardless of the jurisdictional entity’s ability to discern the various danger levels of ocean currents and conditions. 4. SB 0128 seeks to absolve any and all jurisdictional entities supplying public access to designated bathing places from liability regardless of whether or not that entity has knowledge of dangerous conditions, and regardless of whether the entity has taken any meaningful steps, beyond the flying of flags, to prevent death and injury in the ocean environment. Both an entity that provides lifeguard protection, for example, and one that provides none, are given identical immunities, thus removing any incentive to provide protection. 5. SB 0128 seeks to define “Ocean Lifeguard” without describing the public safety nature of the work.
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Uniform Warning and Safety Flags program: The legislative intent to have state agencies “…plan for and assist in the display of uniform warning and safety flags” may be honorable, but with the current program both planning and oversight have been deficient. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection lacks both the subject matter expertise to plan and the funding to oversee a beach condition warning program. So far, the effectiveness of the current government-based program has not been determined. There are no studies known to us that have evaluated whether the program has any meaningful impact on the safety of tourists and local residents.There are, however, numerous documented instances of tourists and residents who have died by drowning while flags were flying on Florida beaches, both before and after the program was introduced. In nearly all of these instances, the victims died in areas without lifeguards - while warning flags were flying. SB 0128 would encourage a perpetuation and expansion of this situation.
Expanding the “beach safety program” to all Florida beaches: Beach warning flags are intended for use by qualified lifeguards to help them in their efforts to prevent death an injury; so says the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). ILS enjoys “Official Relations” status with the World Health Organization. The United States Lifesaving Association is the United States’ Full Member of ILS. USLA has adopted the ILS position regarding beach safety flags, “Flags may help reduce the incidence of injury and drowning, but cannot assist those in distress. Therefore, these flags are only to be used on beaches where lifesavers qualified to ILS standards are on duty. Flags are not an acceptable substitute for properly trained and equipped rescuers, but rather a tool for their use.”1
Absolving liability for injuries and death on Florida beaches: USLA-SER cannot support a bill that comprehensively absolves state and local governments of liability while holding that government’s primary responsibility resides in its responsibility to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the public it serves. Blanket indemnity from liability, regardless of the level of safety protection offered, strikes us as an unwise approach from a policy perspective. Under this approach, existing incentives to provide good quality public safety protection to prevent drowning would evaporate, to the detriment of the local public and the tourist economy. The bill’s liability language is apparently crafted to preempt operational negligence, which may be of concern where unqualified persons are encouraged by statute to fly warning flags. Without constant lifeguard surveillance as the basis for flag color decisions, beachgoers will inevitably encounter flags that do not reflect actual danger levels. Thus, beachgoers enter into dangerous conditions while presuming conditions are not dangerous.
This bill would allow a local entity to fly a flag indicating calm conditions 365 days a year, regardless of actual conditions, and would indemnify said entity from liability, even if the entity were intentionally deceiving the public with inaccurate information. This could create an incentive to promote tourism over the safety of the public and could create serious distortions in the basic role of government to provide for the health and safety of citizens.
Even absent a statutory mandate for lifeguard protection, governments should take, and indeed many have taken, responsible action to protect beachgoers, action that goes beyond the placement of warning signs and flags. The most responsible and effective approach to beach safety will always lie in the provision of professional lifeguard services at public bathing areas. The United States Lifesaving Association has determined that the chance that a person will die by drowning while attending a beach protected by USLA affiliated lifeguards is 1 in 18 million (.0000055%). This is based on the last ten years of reports from USLA affiliated lifeguard agencies, comparing estimated beach attendance to the number of drownings in areas under lifeguard protection. In fact, most drowning deaths in Florida occur at unguarded beaches, which would be allowed to fly these flags and be indemnified by that sole act.
Florida Tourist Development Councils market our beautiful beaches worldwide.State and local government economies depend on these visitors. Taking money from invited guests, failing to implement effective measures to protect them from often perilous beach conditions, and then absolving entities from any liability is as disingenuous as it is dangerous. High drowning rates have been dramatically reduced, most recently in Brevard County and Panhandle area beaches, when lifeguard services were funded and deployed.
Defining “Ocean Lifeguard”: Including the “ocean lifeguard” job classification into statutes that protect other emergency services workers from battery and assault would be a positive step towards the legislative recognition open-water lifeguards deserve. There is a great need for comprehensive legislation to address beach safety and open-water lifesaving issues in Florida. Definitions, minimum standards, certification, protection, and duties and responsibilities for firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs have been legislated, with oversight given to the Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. This assures that high-quality EMS care is delivered efficiently and effectively statewide. Similar legislation and codification for Florida’s open-water lifeguards currently does not exist and this bill does not come close to addressing these issues. These actions would be welcomed by the United States Lifesaving Association’s Southeast Region.
For all of the above stated reasons USLA SER strongly opposes Senate Bill 0128. Endorsed March 8th, 2010 by: Joseph McManus, President W. Gerard Falconer, Vice President Jo Wagenhals, Secretary Johnathan Billings, Treasurer James Hamilton McCrady V, Advisor USLA SER Legislative Action Committee, Dennis Ward, Chair
1 http://www.ilsf.org/index.php?q=rescue/iso-standards-beach-safety-information-flags
Aquatic Safety Assessment & Recommendations
Alabama Gulf Coast
Authors
James Hamilton McCrady V Joe McManus Bob West Melvin Shepard United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Region
Issued: March 17, 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 3 INTRODUCTION...... 5 Report Authors...... 8 Lifesaving in Baldwin County ...... 9 The City of Orange Beach ...... 9 The City of Gulf Shores...... 10 Gulf State Park ...... 11 BEST PRACTICES COMPARED TO EXISTING SERVICES...... 12 Public Education...... 12 Separating Incompatible Activities...... 16 Lifeguard Services ...... 17 Benefits of Lifeguard Protection ...... 18 Periods of Operation...... 19 Area of Responsibility ...... 19 Staffing Levels...... 20 Staffing Locations...... 20 Observation Points...... 21 Breaks ...... 22 Equipment...... 22 Responsibility and Management...... 23 Recruitment and Retention of Lifeguards...... 24 Oversight Options ...... 25 Research...... 25 Jurisdictional Issues ...... 26 THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING A TOURIST ECONOMY ...... 27 FUNDING OF AQUATIC SAFETY IN BALDWIN COUNTY ...... 29 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 31 Prevention Through Public Education ...... 31 Emergency Services Planning and Management ...... 32 Lifeguard Staffing...... 33 Funding ...... 34 RECOMMENDED REFERENCES...... 35
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 2 of 35 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Between 2006 and 2009 there were sixteen (16) drowning deaths in the waters off of beaches along the Alabama Gulf Coast. All of these tragic deaths happened either in areas where there were no open water trained lifeguards provided or at periods of time when there were no lifeguards on duty. Of these deaths, thirteen (13) were visitors who were either on vacation or in the area temporarily for work related reasons. The other three fatalities were residents of the area.
Drowning is a serious problem in coastal Alabama, which impacts residents and visitors alike. For the victims, it can result in very serious injury or death. For family and friends, it can result in loss of a loved one. For society, it can result in economic consequences to families, the health system, and the tourism economy, since a reputation for unsafe beaches can encourage tourists to go elsewhere.
Any untimely death or injury is a tragedy. However, these drowning deaths are particularly tragic in that they occurred in a community where coastal recreation is the focal point of life and a basis of a local economy dependent upon tourism. The trust of these visitors that they would be reasonably protected was violated.
There are a wide variety of methods that can be used to improve aquatic safety in coastal Alabama. To be successful, the issue must be addressed comprehensively. Public education is the first step. This includes education of residents, including learn-to-swim programs, and education of tourists. To be effective, public education must be pre-planned and implemented long before people visit aquatic areas.
Education alone will not prevent drowning. Some people will wish to swim regardless of the dangers, and even the best swimmers can be victims of drowning in dangerous surf or current conditions. A proven way to prevent drowning is through the placement of professional lifeguard services in areas where people frequently choose to swim and during the months and times of the day to achieve maximal impact. While beach lifeguards are presently provided in a few beach areas of the Alabama Gulf Coast, most beach areas have no protection whatsoever. A process must therefore be implemented to identify the areas of greatest need and to take necessary steps to make them safer. In coastal Alabama, this would include beachfront areas offering public parking, municipal and state parks, popular public access points, and beachside hotels, condominiums, and restaurants.
While the cost of providing lifeguard services has been raised as a concern, this is a challenge that must be met just as the cost of providing other public safety services (police, fire-rescue, EMS) has been addressed, since public safety is the most fundamental expectation of citizens from government.
Leadership within the various government entities has indeed begun to emerge, and city officials of both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are beginning to demonstrate the political will needed to push through measures that will ameliorate an ongoing and, perhaps, growing problem. Officials of the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, as
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 3 of 35 well as of Baldwin County and the State of Alabama, should work together in addressing these issues.
By continuing the efforts to expand lifeguard services and by implementing the specific recommendations found at the end of this report, local governments in coastal Alabama can significantly reduce the incidence of drowning death and injury, while enhancing the quality of life for residents and protecting a vibrant and growing tourist industry.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 4 of 35 INTRODUCTION
The Alabama Gulf Coast predominantly lies within Baldwin County. Baldwin County has just over forty (40) miles of beachfront facing the Gulf of Mexico. Along the coast, there are approximately twelve (12) maintained public beach access points that attract recreational users. These areas are located as follows: in the City of Orange Beach there are four (4) beachfront accesses that are state owned, in the City of Gulf Shores there are three (3) beachfront accesses that are state owned and five (5) that are owned by the City of Gulf Shores. There are seventy-two (72) private beach entries at hotels, resorts, and condominiums in Orange Beach and fifty-two (52) private beach entries at hotels, resorts, and condominiums in Gulf Shores. Development is concentrated in the 14-mile stretch between the City of Orange Beach and the City of Gulf Shores.
The three government entities that maintain and manage beaches within this area are: Alabama Gulf State Park, the City of Gulf Shores, and the City of Orange Beach. The largest city on the barrier island, the City of Gulf Shores, is an established and well-known tourist destination. In addition to the areas we visited during site assessments, there remain approximately twenty (20) additional miles of beachfront to the west of Gulf Shores that was not visited, as well as the area within the Town of Dauphin Island, located in Mobile County, which has also had a significant problem with drowning incidents.
According to Census 2000, the population of Baldwin County was officially recorded at 140,415 residents. Because of its beaches, Baldwin County is a popular destination for visitors from all over the nation and world. Tourism, as an industry impacting coastal Alabama, has contributed to the county’s explosive population growth since the 1990's. Today, out of Alabama's sixty-seven counties, Baldwin County remains one of the top three fastest growing in population and tourism.1
It is no wonder that it is popular with tourists, with some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches anywhere in the world. Aquatic areas are an integral aspect of Baldwin County’s rich offerings, but like all aquatic areas, they harbor hazards that can prove deadly. Such hazards can be effectively minimized, but presently there appears to be no comprehensive aquatic safety plan. Deadly drowning incidents are therefore an ongoing and an all too frequent reality.
Coastal Baldwin County offers an extraordinary resource for aquatic recreation, for local residents and tourists alike. The Alabama Tourism Department entices beachgoers by offering, “Something magical happens when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. … Maybe it's the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore … Perhaps it's the white sand and sparkling emerald water of the Alabama beaches.” 2 Indeed, the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau asks, “Wondering where to plant your beach umbrella? You'll find a variety of public beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama - each special in
1 http://www.co.baldwin.al.us 2 http://www.alabama.travel/things-to-do/activities/beaches/
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 5 of 35 its own way and each offering a different experience. Try 'em all and see which fits you best.”3
From 2005 to 2009, Gulf Coast beaches in Baldwin County experienced numerous aquatic related injuries and deaths. In addition to the concern felt for the personal tragedy suffered by the families of those impacted, there is ongoing concern both for the future safety of residents and visitors, as well as the impact this issue may have on the tourism industry. With similar surf conditions, and without adequate levels of lifeguard protection, these aquatic related deaths will continue unabated. This would undoubtedly have a negative impact on coastal Baldwin County’s tourism. It is more difficult to recover from a bad reputation than to maintain a good one, and so it is with tourism. If the area garners a reputation for unsafe beaches, particularly in light of the enhancements to beach safety along the Florida Panhandle beaches, it will take increasingly profound efforts to recover from a flagging tourist economy.
At the request of Alabama State Representative Steve McMillan, United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Region (USLA SER) members conducted an onsite aquatic safety assessment, as Baldwin County is within USLA SER boundaries. This effort was spearheaded by USLA SER Advisor, Jim McCrady, and assisted by members of the Emerald Coast Chapter (ECC) of USLA SER. All time, materials, and other expenses were covered either by the USLA Southeast Region or by individuals involved. The Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau and Brett-Robinson donated accommodations and meeting rooms. Their interest and generosity is admirable and greatly appreciated.
The primary goal of this report is to assess the state of beach safety along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and to recommend ways of reducing the incidence of drowning. The authors believe that any responsible community that promotes its beaches for tourism has an obligation to ensure a reasonable degree of public safety on those beaches. In that regard, we agree with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has stated, “... if a community develops water recreational facilities to attract patrons who spend money in the local area, then it can be argued that the community has an obligation to protect these patrons. When weighing the costs and legal implications of interventions to prevent drowning, decision makers should never lose sight of the enormous importance of protecting people from harm and preventing tragedy at beaches and pools, places where people go for pleasure, for health, and for solace.”4
While USLA SER tends to focus on the human tragedy of drowning, the authors are cognizant of the fact that improvements in beach safety will have very positive effects on tourism. During our on-site visits, meetings, and interviews, many participants expressed the desire to see meaningful change in the level of public safety offered at Gulf front beaches – for both reasons.5
3 http://www.gulfshores.com/things-to-do/beaches/ 4 Branche CM, Stewart S. (Editors). Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2001.
5 Persons interviewed, as well as those who attended our forums, expressed near unanimity that the "problem” to be addressed was how to fund the provision of more lifeguards on an extended basis.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 6 of 35 For reference, a partial list of those whom contributed to this report, or attended the Beach Safety Workshop conducted when the taskforce visited coastal Baldwin County in March, 2008:
Steve McMillan – Alabama State Representative Trey Myers – Assistant Superintendent of Gulf State Park Pete Blalock – Mayor, City of Orange Beach Jeff Silvers – Council Member, City of Orange Beach Jeff Moon – City Administrator, City of Orange Beach Preston Pooser – Parks and Recreation Director, City of Orange Beach Forney Howard – Fire Chief, City of Orange Beach Billy Wilkens – Police Chief, City of Orange Beach Greg Duck – Assistant Police Chief, City of Orange Beach Harold Samples – Parks and Recreation Director, City of Gulf Shores Keith Martin – Fire Rescue, City of Gulf Shores Gary Wise – President ECC, Chief of Beach Safety, South Walton Fire District Joe D’Agostino – Vice-President ECC, Chief of Beach Safety, Destin Fire Control District Felix Romero – Membership Director ECC, Destin Fire Control District Tracy Vause – Treasurer ECC, Chief of Beach Safety, Okaloosa County Public Safety Dave Meadows – Secretary ECC, Sunset Beach Services Melvin Shepard –Aquatics Coordinator, City of Orange Beach; Alabama Panhandle Representative for USLA Bob West – Development Committee ECC, Director of Public Safety, Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) Bill Soltz – Development Committee ECC Council Vaughan – Lifeguard Supervisor, SRIA W.A. “Buck” Lee – Executive Director, SRIA
This is not an official report of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA). It is an effort by the authors to provide those concerned about beach safety in Baldwin County with the best available information and advice to achieve the goals of promoting public safety and limiting liability exposure at Gulf front aquatic areas in and adjacent to its confines. It is based, in part, on prior reports issued to other communities in the United States by colleagues addressing similar issues. Past reports of this nature have resulted in very positive changes in beach safety services in several communities. No advice or action can ensure 100% safety or protection from drowning or subsequent liability, but prudent steps can greatly heighten the level of safety and also lessen liability exposure. Thus, this report is not intended to be a warranty, but rather it is the advice of professional open water lifesavers with a proven record in this discipline.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 7 of 35 While this report contains both site-specific assessments and recommendations regarding enhancing safety on Gulf Coast beaches in Alabama, much of this report is intended to raise the general reader’s understanding of all aspects of a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy.
Report Authors
James Hamilton McCrady V ([email protected]) has been involved in aquatic safety for over 25 years. He is Advisor to the Southeast Region of the United States Lifesaving Association, and he has held the regional offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary. He serves as a Lieutenant/EMT for Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue. Lt. McCrady has been a presenter at National Drowning Prevention Coalition’s National Symposium (2006), the Florida State Beach Safety Educational Workshop (2005), and served on the authoring committee of the “USLA Open-Water Swim Race & Triathlon Safety Guidelines (2004),” and “Training and Equipment Guidelines for Rescuers Using Personal Watercraft as a Rescue Tool (2004).”
Joe McManus ([email protected]) serves as President of the Southeast Region of the United States Lifesaving Association (www.uslaser.org) and as Vice-President of USLA (www.usla.org). Joe is a Lieutenant/EMT for Indian River County Ocean Rescue, Florida. He is President of the Florida Open Water Lifesaving Constituency Group, which is a member of the Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Services’ Advisory Council.
Bob West serves as Vice-President of the Emerald Coast Chapter of USLA and is Director of Public Safety for the Santa Rosa Island Authority.
Melvin R. Shepard Jr. is a native of coastal Alabama and has been involved in aquatics for 10 years. He is currently the Aquatics Coordinator for the City of Orange Beach and a volunteer for the United States Lifesaving Association as a Regional Training Officer and the Alabama Panhandle Representative. He is a Lifeguard Instructor, Water Safety Instructor and CPR/First Aid Instructor Trainer for the American Red Cross.
NOTE: This report has been excerpted, in part, and adapted from the Aquatic Safety Assessment & Recommendations for Santa Rosa Island, Destin, and Brevard County, Florida, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, published by USLA members faced with similar issues. B. Chris Brewster was a major contributor to the information found in each of those reports.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 8 of 35 LIFESAVING IN BALDWIN COUNTY
The City of Orange Beach
The City of Orange Beach posts no lifeguards at the public beaches within its boundaries. A reason given for this by local officials is that public access points for beaches located within city limits are owned by the State of Alabama. No law or regulation, of which the authors are aware, would prevent Orange Beach from offering lifeguard protection. Orange Beach safety personnel respond to emergency calls to these beaches for swimmers in distress and other medical-related injuries through the 9-1-1 emergency call system.
The City of Orange Beach sought involvement with USLA in 2005, after three city fire fighters nearly died while responding to a “swimmer in distress” call. The event occurred in April of 2004; the surf was rough and the fire fighters were not optimally trained for this situation. As they entered the water to rescue the victims, they too were caught in rip currents and needed to be rescued.
After this near-tragic event, the City of Orange Beach contacted Jim McCrady, then president for the Southeast Region of USLA, to get information regarding aquatic safety training. A surf lifesaving academy, sponsored by the City of Orange Beach, was scheduled for March of 2005. Many fire fighters and city lifeguards attended the week-long academy.
Since then, the City of Orange Beach has hosted three USLA Surf Lifesaving Academies, which were presented by Training Officers from the USLA Southeast Region. Additionally, Orange Beach has sent three lifeguards through the USLA Southeast Region Training Officers Academy in South Florida.
The Orange Beach Aquatics Coordinator, with assistance from the Aquatics Manager of the City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department, maintains a beach flag warning system seven days a week throughout the year, maintains a voice recorded phone system for daily surf conditions, provides information to a local radio station which broadcasts a daily surf report, and works with the media to help inform beach goers about any dangerous conditions. Additionally, City Aquatics staff provides beach-safety presentations to local schoolchildren.
In the summer of 2009, the City of Orange Beach started a Beach Patrol that utilizes Aquatics Center lifeguards who have successfully completed the USLA Southeast Region Surf Lifesaving Academy. Their task is to patrol the near seven (7) miles of beachfront in Orange Beach and respond to swimmer in distress calls, as well as various other emergency calls.
At the present time when a “swimmer in distress” call is sent out, the Fire Department responds to these calls. The Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department has expressed an interest in coordinating aquatic emergency response with surf-trained lifeguards as well.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 9 of 35 The City of Gulf Shores
Lifesaving began in the City of Gulf Shores in the 1950’s. The city stationed “Beach Attendants”6 at the main Public Beach area, which is still guarded today. The Gulf Shores lifesaving operation has grown over the years and today they staff six (6) towers and staff the beach with ten (10) seasonal beach attendants. There are six public beach accesses within city limits; four of these areas have restroom facilities and vending machines.
The city uses a Beach Warning Flag system and Rip Current Safety signs to help inform beachgoers of the dangers in the gulf, and this system is consistent with that recommended by the International Life Saving Federation. It also uses an automated phone system that gives daily surf conditions for the public beach. Beach attendants work under the Parks and Recreation Department, and staff the beach from March 1 until Labor Day. Beach Attendants are deployed to fixed locations seven days per week from the end of May until Labor Day, 9 am until 7pm, except on “red flag” days, when beach attendants are present until sunset.
In 2008, beach attendants received an emergency response vehicle and a new personal watercraft, in addition to an ATV that is used to transport equipment and assist beach patrons during an emergency. They utilize basic life support medical equipment, including oxygen delivery and AEDs. There is a nationally certified EMT employed to work the beach, as well as two USLA Southeast Region trained Training Officers. The beach attendants respond to all distress calls that occur along the beach in Gulf Shores, while they are on duty. Additionally, they provide mutual aid to the beach attendants at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion.
Many of the lifesavers in Gulf Shores have attended a USLA Southeast Region Academy in the past. In fact, the City contacted USLA Southeast Region in 2004 to have instructors teach an academy for their employees. Since then they have sent beach attendants through the training every year. The Parks and Recreation Department is making great strides to help ensure the safety of everyone who uses their beaches for recreation and enjoyment. This past year they sent four beach attendants through the USLA Southeast Region PWC operator’s course taught in Orange Beach, and they intend to send additional beach attendants through future courses.
Recently, Mayor Robert Craft announced the city’s plan to expand lifeguard coverage in 2010. The mayor reportedly stated, "We're not, at this time, going to be able to patrol the whole beach, but in this high density area where you've got a majority of the people, we can do a better job than we've been doing."7 Plans include the additions of a tower, beach attendants and a personal watercraft for the 2010 season. The tower and PWC will be placed at the Callaway Pass to the west of the main guarded beach. This is an area that has logged several drowning deaths in the past. In addition, safety planners intend to utilize a John Deere Gator for daily patrol of unguarded beaches.
6 “Beach Attendant” is a job title given to an employee who otherwise performs duties that are consistent with those of a lifeguard. 7 Press Register, December 12, 2009 http://blog.al.com/live/2009/12/gulf_shores_to_add_lifeguards.html
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 10 of 35 The authors of this report applaud the mayor’s position and encourage the maximal expansion of services in those areas with a well documented drowning history.
Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park has, for many years, employed beach attendants at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion which is located between the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. This beach is roughly 2,000 feet in length. State employed beach attendants are required to be certified lifeguards through the American Red Cross and must possess CPR and First Aid certificates as well. The employer accepts a Southeast Region USLA Lifesaving Academy completion certificate in lieu of other aquatic safety certificates.
There are three (3) stands from which the beach attendants provide coverage. The attendants utilize rescue boards and other rescue equipment for emergencies.In addition, they use an ATV for transporting equipment and patrolling the beach area.
Gulf State Park has incorporated a Beach Flag Warning system, which is consistent with that recommended by the International Life Saving Federation.
The Alabama State Legislature envisions a time when there will be a hotel/convention center complex within Gulf State Park and has passed a bill to that end.8 This act is consistent with increased tourism marketing efforts currently underway.
8 Code of Alabama Chapter 9 Title 14B Section 9-14B-1
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 11 of 35 BEST PRACTICES COMPARED TO EXISTING SERVICES
To achieve the greatest possible degree of success, particularly in the relatively uncontrolled natural environment of surf beaches, the promotion of aquatic safety should be approached in the broadest possible manner. This includes taking steps to educate people prior to visiting a beach area about potential hazards and methods to mitigate them; taking steps on-site to provide similar information; taking reasonable steps to promote safe behavior at the location; maintaining a system to recognize and respond effectively to emergencies in a timely manner; and preparing to treat and evacuate injured people professionally and expeditiously. Such steps are ideally taken as a collaborative effort with all concerned individuals and organizations likely to offer meaningful support.
Public Education
One of the most cost effective ways of promoting aquatic safety is through public education before the visitor ever arrives at an aquatic venue. Once the visitor arrives, additional public education efforts can further enhance public safety. In both cases, a variety of strategies can be employed. In addition to the direct benefit of enhancing public safety, these strategies can produce excellent public relations benefits for the community.
Learn-to-Swim Programs
The International Life Saving Federation has found that learn-to-swim programs meaningfully improve the safety of a population.9 Locally, the promotion of learn-to-swim programs for youth and adults will result in a higher number of people in the community with swimming skills. If the curriculum is appropriately tailored, such training will include steps students can take to avoid injury from aquatic hazards to themselves and others.
In a community with a large expanse of accessible open water, learn-to-swim programs should include basic information about rip currents, which have been demonstrated by the USLA to be the cause of over 80% of rescues from drowning by lifeguards at surf beaches. Even accomplished swimmers can be overpowered by rip currents, so merely teaching people to swim is an inadequate approach. They must also be instructed about activities and circumstances that can threaten their safety and how to avoid them (or extricate themselves from them). Training courses should be adjusted to address the hazards that have caused drowning deaths.
Learning to swim enhances quality of life for those who learn and their families. People with swimming skills are safer, have access to a variety of jobs that require swimming, have expanded recreational opportunities, and likely live more active and healthier lives.
9 Position Statement: Swimming and Water Safety Education; International Life Saving Federation; 2007
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 12 of 35 Junior Lifeguard Programs
Many lifeguard agencies throughout the United States sponsor junior lifeguard programs. These programs are typically well received in the local community, exposing youth to water safety information and a taste of what it is like to be a lifeguard. Junior lifeguards provide an excellent potential resource for future employed lifeguards, and thus the programs can be considered, in part, a recruiting tool. The City of Orange Beach operates a junior lifeguard program; three instructors are dedicated solely to the program which averages 35 participants per year. The City of Gulf Shores is encouraged to operate a similar program.
Most junior lifeguard programs with which we are familiar are self-funded, through tuition. Some even help raise revenue for the sponsoring organization. Some junior lifeguard programs in the United States have in excess of 1,000 participants each year and have been successfully providing services to their communities for decades. Tuition can be charged to those able to pay and scholarships can be offered to those unable to pay. This can greatly broaden youth aquatic safety in a community.
Off-Site Public Education
A variety of strategies can be employed to educate both local residents and visitors regarding aquatic safety. As previously mentioned, thirteen of the victims of drowning in Baldwin County between 2006 and 2009 were tourists, so targeting this group would be of particular value.
Public service advertising can be utilized. Radio, television, billboard, newspaper, and phone book advertising are some examples. A simple example of the type of information that could be provided is the location and hours of beaches with lifeguard protection and encouragement to swim only in lifeguard protected areas.
For tourists, brochures placed in hotel rooms and welcome videos can be effective approaches to education. Advisory materials can be downloaded and copied from the USLA/NOAA rip current education program and provided to Gulf front businesses.10
Local government websites can provide information about lifeguard tower locations with dates and times lifeguards are on duty. The site could include water safety tips. Tourism websites can reach visitors pre-arrival and act as a reference for tourist industry employees. Providing local government and business employees who are likely to come in contact with tourists with basic aquatic safety information is also of great value. These personnel, though rarely experts in aquatic safety, may often be asked for water safety information, such as, “Where’s the safest place to swim?” They need to be prepared to provide clear, accurate advice or refer inquiries to more authoritative sources of information.
Recorded beach safety telephone information lines are another way to disseminate information. If updated at least daily, preferably in the early morning, as well as according to condition changes, such lines can provide valuable safety information, basic weather, tides, and referrals. Telephone information lines can be a useful reference for tourism industry
10 http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 13 of 35 employees, as well as all beach users. Services of this nature can be very popular in a community and provide an opportunity to weave safety advice into the daily updates. Examples can be heard at 619-221-8824 and at 954-828-4597.
Lifeguard agency staffs from all over the country have been engaged in various beach safety projects throughout their local school districts for years. These projects include regular visits by surf-trained lifeguards to elementary, middle and high schools, conducting assemblies on drowning prevention and participating in career days. Meeting with area hoteliers, church groups, and homeowner’s associations will undoubtedly help educate countless numbers of residents and visitors. However, a single employee or designee cannot shoulder this responsibility, as one person cannot adequately address all the needs for public safety education. This must be a community initiative to ensure the proper education and protection of beach visitors.
On-Site Passive Public Education
On-site, passive public education includes flags, signs, and similar approaches intended to inform the visitor. While these measures may appease liability exposure concerns, their effectiveness at preventing injury and death is unproven. Some prudent people undoubtedly observe them and adhere to the admonitions, thus lessening the likelihood of encountering problems. Others may not see them at all. Some may observe them, but ignore the message. Still others may observe them, but fail to understand them, or simply forget the message. Nevertheless, providing useful and understandable information undoubtedly has safety and liability protection benefits.
Flags
Local governments in Baldwin County have employed a beach warning flag system in an effort to advise the public of the relative danger of gulf conditions. These flags are intended to provide general information on ocean conditions at the time they are flown. But flags are flown on both guarded and unguarded beaches, inconsistent with recommendations of the International Life Saving Federation.
Flags alone are of limited value, as has been demonstrated by drowning deaths and near deaths that have occurred despite their presence. While flags can help notify beach users of general conditions, they do not identify specific problems in specific areas.
To be fully effective, the placement of warning flags and all public service announcements should be based on some measurable criteria that can be logged, tracked, and changed with the conditions. Lifeguard presence is needed to accomplish this on-site education strategy. The United States Lifesaving Association recognizes the position statement on use of warning flags, which is published by the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) and thus applicable worldwide.
ILS states, “Because of the need to be present to monitor the conditions, and possibly to change flags, these systems should only operate during a prescribed and well publicized period each day… Flags may help reduce the incidence of injury and drowning, but cannot assist those in distress. Therefore, these flags are only to be used on beaches where
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 14 of 35 lifesavers qualified to USLA/ILS standards are on duty. Flags are not an acceptable substitute for properly trained and equipped rescuers, but rather a tool for their use.” 11
Signs
Beach signs typically explain beach and water ordinances. They can also be used to explain known hazards and to recommend safe behavior. As an example, since a common hazard at all ocean beaches is the presence of rip currents, placing a sign that explains this hazard and how to extricate oneself in the absence of a lifeguard may save lives. The United States Lifesaving Association and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have jointly developed signs for placement at ocean beaches. Like flags, however, signs alone are of limited value.
In Baldwin County, local municipal, county and state government entities have had a positive impact by placing beach safety signs at most public accesses along the coast. These signs are consistently maintained throughout the year by city and park staff and are undoubtedly observed by many beach-goers. These signs have been supplemented at most beach access points with the aforementioned USLA/NOAA signs.
On-Site Active Public Education
The concept of on-site active public education refers to on-site personnel who inform visitors about rules and safe practices. They can also intervene when behavior threatens public safety. In the beach environment, lifeguards would generally be most effective. This is because the lifeguard can, in addition to other services, provide aquatic rescue services to prevent drowning.
With respect to drowning prevention, the United States Lifesaving Association estimates the typical lifeguard effects at least 100 preventive actions for every effected rescue. A typical preventive action involves warning swimmers to move away from an area where a rip current is forming. Preventive actions may also be beach oriented, such as moving people throwing a ball away from crowded areas where they may run into others. This critical role of lifeguards enhances the experience of beachgoers, while reducing the number of injuries, deaths, and rescues that must be performed.
11 See: http://www.ilsf.org/index.php?q=en/rescue/iso-standards-beach-safety-information-flags
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 15 of 35 Separating Incompatible Activities
There are a wide variety of activities practiced at aquatic areas. These activities are sometimes incompatible. Conflicts can arise and these may escalate into disputes that can threaten public safety. An effective practice in promoting beach and water safety is taking steps to separate incompatible activities. An obvious example of incompatible activities is surfing and swimming. A swimmer can easily be injured or even killed by a surfboard, so it is important to separate these activities to the greatest extent possible. Other potentially incompatible activities include fishing and swimming. It is critical to separate jet-skis from swimmers. Lifeguards are usually in a position to evaluate these issues and manage activities both in the water and on the beach. This can reduce the potential for injury and liability. This management can also greatly enhance the enjoyment of visitors.
A review of Baldwin County, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores ordinances related to beach and marine activities shows that prohibitions exist as to alcohol consumption and bringing animals onto beaches. An Orange Beach ordinance regulates the use of jet skis and other personal water craft under the legislative intent to “promote the public safety, health and welfare of the citizens of the city and the tourists and guests visiting or vacationing in the city; to protect the lives and limbs of those persons bathing, surfing, wading or swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.”12 While this ordinance shows the municipality’s intent to provide safety measures, there is no legislation that addresses the real problem of drowning on beaches within city limits.
There are trends and developments in the recreational use of the beach and gulf environment that may warrant further beach safety legislative action. Examples of this might include ordinances to regulate surfing, kite-surfing and skim boarding activities. The intent is not to restrict enjoyment of the coastline, but to ensure that activities practiced by one person do not unduly endanger others and that prudent safety practices are in place.
12 City of Orange Beach Code of Ordinances Section 78.21
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 16 of 35 Lifeguard Services
Public education and separating incompatible activities can be expected to reduce the incidence of injury and death, perhaps markedly. They certainly demonstrate a sincere community effort to protect residents and tourists alike. These actions alone, however, will not prevent drowning. In this regard, they can be compared to public education regarding safe driving practices or fire prevention. No matter how much funding is devoted to these efforts, traffic and fire deaths still occur daily in the U.S. In fact, drowning deaths are more prevalent than fire deaths;13 hence, in addition to public education, communities provide police, firefighters, and emergency medical services.
Despite best efforts, some will not be exposed to aquatic safety related public education. Others will ignore it. Still others, despite being knowledgeable, will overestimate their capabilities or simply be overwhelmed by unexpected water conditions. They may fall into the water or be aboard a vessel that sinks. Medical problems, like heart attacks and seizures, can strike swimmers unexpectedly and cause immediate, life threatening problems, regardless of water conditions. Children are particularly susceptible. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children in the U.S. (aged 1 through 14 years), accounting for 746 deaths in 2005.14 Moreover, many people who die from drowning are would-be rescuers who felt compelled to assist others in the absence of the availability of professional rescuers.
In 2009, 22 ocean lifeguard agencies in the Southeast Region reported to USLA that they had performed over 6,000 rescues from drowning.15 By and large, these rescues take place in municipalities with strong public education programs and waterfront management systems in place. Absent the availability of lifeguards, many of these incidents of distress in the water would have unquestionably resulted in death. As well, these same agencies reported that they had performed over 57,000 medical aids, over 500 of which required medical assistance beyond first aid (i.e. typically ambulance transport and hospital treatment).
Without lifeguards on duty, many of those injured would have suffered needlessly and some would certainly have died. Moreover, the presence of on-site lifeguards undoubtedly reduced the number of ambulance emergency runs in response to minor, non-life-threatening beach related incidents, thus preserving the immediate availability of this critical resource for other emergencies in the community.
Statistics kept by the United States Lifesaving Association demonstrate that the chance of a drowning death in an area under the protection of lifeguards affiliated with USLA is 1 in 18 million. Clearly, lifeguards can significantly enhance public safety. Even in areas with very high, year-round beach attendance, like Hollywood or Daytona Beach, when lifeguards trained to USLA standards are on duty, drowning deaths are extremely rare.
13 Nationally, in 2005, there were approximately 900 more drowning deaths than fire related deaths of people between the ages of 1 and 65. (See http://www.cdc.gov.ncipc/wisqars/) 14 ibid 15 See United States Lifesaving Association http://www.usla.org/Statistics/public.asp (accessed 1/03/10)
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 17 of 35 Benefits of Lifeguard Protection
Only a small portion of Baldwin County’s coastline is protected by lifeguards, and in lifeguard protected areas there are variances in the ways lifeguards are deployed. Some of the beaches with the lowest apparent hazard levels have relatively extensive lifeguard protection, while the beaches with the greatest hazards have none. This is a result of the area’s different jurisdictions and the policies of the respective government agencies responsible for safety oversight.
The Centers for Disease Control Lifeguard Effectiveness report states, “Most drownings are preventable through a variety of strategies, one of which is to provide lifeguards in public areas where people are known to swim and to encourage people to swim in those protected areas.” 16 When beaches are staffed with lifeguards, a number of considerations are important. The lifeguards must be qualified, trained, equipped, and staffed to a level that is adequate to ensure a suitable level of safety, both for the general public and for the lifeguards themselves. A clear chain of command for responses to aquatic emergencies must be in place. This establishes who is in charge at emergency scenes, what backup resources are available, and the roles of all parties involved.
USLA has developed a comprehensive program that addresses minimum recommended qualifications, training, and equipment for beach lifeguard agencies. The program is outlined in the publication, Guidelines for Open Water Lifeguard Agency Certification, which is available at no cost from the Certification section of the USLA website.17 USLA promulgates the only national certification program for ocean lifeguard services in the United States. Currently, there is no lifeguard agency in the state of Alabama that holds a USLA agency certification.
USLA also promulgates a companion national certification program for non-lifeguard responders to ocean rescues, which is designed for firefighters, sheriff deputies, and others who respond to these incidents. This program is outlined in the publication, Training & Standards of Aquatic Rescue Response Teams, which is also available at no cost from the Certification section of the USLA website. Neither the Orange Beach Fire Rescue Department, nor any other in the county, is certified to the standards contained within this program.
There have been concerns raised, in light of the recent drowning death numbers, about the efficacy of fire departments responding to open-water rip current emergencies. Some of the authors of this report conducted an on-site review of the Orange Beach Fire/Ocean Rescue operation and found the operation was very professional, and could be in compliance with the standards of the USLA ARRT program, should they decide to move in that direction. It should be noted, however, that the USLA agency certification program (Lifeguard or ARRT) does not address periods of operation, hours of coverage, or minimum staffing levels for an agency. These are left to be determined on a local level according to a wide variety of factors and they are indeed critical to the effectiveness of the agency.
16 http://www.usla.org/PublicInfo/library/CDC_Lifeguard_Effectiveness_Report.pdf 17 http://www.usla.org/Train%2BCert/
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 18 of 35 Periods of Operation
Perhaps the best first step in providing adequate lifeguard coverage is to determine the dates of operation and the hours that the beach will be actively guarded. Most coastal lifeguard agencies in Florida operate 365 days a year, for at least eight hours per day. Some agencies in Florida and in other parts of the United States utilize staggered shifts and 10-hour shifts to ensure that lifeguards are on duty during the hours that people are present on the beach.
The City of Gulf Shores offers “seasonal” lifeguard coverage to its residents and tourists. It is not clear what yardstick the city uses to measure its beach season. There appears to be a correlation to the Baldwin County school year, but there are no objective data (local ordinance or departmental policy statements) to support this. In Gulf Shores, it also appears that the tradition of providing lifeguard protection to a limited “summer” season has been adhered to despite the fact that other lifeguard agencies located along the northern Gulf Coast have found extended service essential to optimally protect the swimming public. The spring and fall “shoulder” seasons typically have significantly greater likelihood of surf. In addition, the locate climate and Gulf temperature stays relatively warm well into October.
Public records of emergency service departments in Baldwin County show that firefighters and police officers have responded to swimmer in distress calls during non-summer months when there are no lifeguards employed. This is likely due to the fact that the formation of rip currents is a conditions-driven danger that is wholly unaffected by the number of people on the beach. When weather systems, some hundreds of miles from shore, lead to groundswell development or when local storms produce currents and bottom movement occurs, swimmers and even waders (including surf and inlet fishermen) are vulnerable. Often swimmers get into trouble just a few feet from the shore where conditions may appear to be safe. This illusion may tempt “good Samaritan” rescuers to act, which multiplies the number of persons at risk. Many overestimate their abilities. In Baldwin County, as in other areas of Alabama, these factors, coupled with mild climate and warm water temperature, make the ocean both an appealing and dangerous place for much of the year.
Area of Responsibility
The next step in providing adequate lifeguard coverage is to determine the area for which lifeguards should be responsible. Ideally, lifeguards should be positioned wherever people are known to swim. If costs to accomplish this are considered prohibitive, then prioritizing coverage at areas with the greatest need is the next best option. By evaluating existing areas regularly for changes in usage or development of high hazard, by providing protection where it is needed, and by encouraging swimmers to swim in protected areas, lifeguard agencies mark progress toward providing reasonable levels of aquatic safety. The protected areas should be in areas people are most likely to swim, where infrastructure and attractions exist that make it convenient to swim, where unusual hazards exist, and where historical incidents demonstrate a need. Existence of these protected areas should be made clear. Encouraging people to “swim near a lifeguard” is an excellent approach, but people are not likely to travel far to find lifeguard protection. If the goal is drowning prevention, lifeguard services must be placed conveniently, where people are known to swim and are likely to swim.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 19 of 35 The City of Gulf Shores has chosen to provide lifeguard protection at locations that generally fall within the boundaries of the city park. Oceanfront parks are an obvious and essential place to provide lifeguard protection. If it is the goal of the County or State to prevent drowning, they should target areas where people congregate to swim, regardless of jurisdictional issues.
Spacing of lifeguard stands is a factor in providing for overlapping surveillance and emergency backup. This spacing is often determined by the response time that it takes to perform a successful intervention. It has been reported that large crowds flock to the beach throughout the area. As a result of the spacing of lifeguards in widely separated areas of responsibility, almost all of Alabama’s 40-miles of coastline are virtually unprotected. The predominant reason we heard during our meetings for the sparse coverage was the cost of providing more lifeguards.
Staffing Levels
Staffing levels should be appropriate to attendance and conditions while providing for public safety in a manner consistent with user demand. Such responsibility should not be left with a single lifeguard. Lifeguards work more effectively in teams, both for economy of effort and personal safety. This is especially important in areas where great distances separate crowded beach areas, as is the case in Baldwin County. These teams and/or sites should be managed through a central administration capable of providing necessary oversight, relief, backup, and resources.
The number of lifeguards employed by an agency should be adequate to prevent drowning death and to effectively handle other emergencies, regardless of fluctuations in attendance and conditions. The agency must therefore fund an operation that is flexible enough to vary staffing according to anticipated fluctuations, in each factor, regardless of the time of year. The effectiveness of this strategy rests upon the presumption that the agency will implement sound policy regarding periods of operation and area of responsibility.
A committed, experienced workforce is highly desirable for a public safety operation, not least because it provides the manager with the operational stability to meet contingencies, but also because the public expects it. This is the norm around the country, even in areas that augment year-round staffing with seasonal and part time personnel.
Staffing Locations
Even a casual observer will note that beach users tend to congregate in certain areas. Wherever there is beach parking, for example, a higher level of beach attendance will be noted nearby. Most people tend not to walk far from where they have parked. The proximity of restaurants and restrooms are also factors that contribute to the choices people make in this regard. People will seek beach access near these attractions for convenience sake. Most people staying at a beachside hotel will use the water directly in front of these hotels, rather than walk or drive any significant distance to find lifeguard protection. Amenities provided by a hotel, such as lounge chairs, enhance visitor comfort and this may discourage movement to lifeguard protected areas.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 20 of 35 As previously noted, the flexibility provided by adequate staffing levels is an essential component of successful management of a public safety agency. The fact that tourists are staying in area hotels and are eating in area restaurants should come as no surprise to beach safety officials. The fact that these same people will access and utilize the beach closest to these attractions, quite often with tragic results, should prompt officials to evaluate these areas as potential staffing locations.
Through public information campaigns, people can and should be encouraged to swim only where lifeguards are on duty. The effort to protect people will only be fully successful, however, when lifeguards are placed at spots where people are likely to gather. Concerns about property ownership, liability, and indemnification related to lifeguard protection could be addressed by contractual relationships between the state, county, the municipalities, and private businesses. In any event, it is not unusual to find publicly funded lifeguard stands in front of hotels, condominiums, or restaurants throughout the region and elsewhere in the country. Just as firefighters and police respond on a constant basis to incidents on private property, in an effort to protect life and property, lifeguards should be staffed where needed to protect public safety.
History can also provide a guide to the location of lifeguards. Records of past drowning deaths and near deaths can help pinpoint areas where future problems may develop. Complete reliance on such figures is to be discouraged. Among other things, it is a reactive, rather than proactive approach to drowning prevention. However, ignoring history is foolish.
Over the past three years, coastal drowning deaths have been reported in Alabama at a rate of about 4-7 per year. As a majority of these incidents have taken place outside of guarded areas, or during times when lifeguards have not been assigned, it would appear that county officials are facing a long-term problem that suggests the need for a change in each of the fundamental elements mentioned thus far.
Observation Points
The primary tool lifeguards use to maintain water safety is observation. Lifeguard observation points must have a clear and unobstructed view of the area of supervision. Lifeguard observation towers are ideally elevated (the higher the better within reason) and provide the lifeguard with protection from the elements. They should include adequate space to allow the lifeguard to stand and move while observing the water, and a place for necessary rescue and first aid equipment. The design of a lifeguard tower should include a way to respond on foot to a rescue without breaking observation of the swimmer in distress.
Enclosed lifeguard towers provide lifeguards with an effective and safe observation point, while they demonstrate to the public that the area is, indeed, guarded. The enclosed tower model provides a focal point that stands out on a crowded beach and projects an image of security to the beach patron. Although it is commonly utilized throughout the region and the rest of the country, there are no enclosed lifeguard towers anywhere in Baldwin County. Backup
Like police officers and firefighters, lifeguards often need backup. Sometimes, multiple victims are swept offshore in a rip current all at once. Major medical cases in the vicinity
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 21 of 35 may require several lifeguards to effectively handle the incident. While these incidents are being attended to, the goal is to maintain water observation and to provide emergency response to others in need. Backup lifeguards should be available to assume water observation when the lifeguard assigned thereto is otherwise engaged. Backup staffing levels should be adequate to address problems that can reasonably be expected to arise.
With great distances between lifeguard stands, there is the likelihood that a supervisor may not be in a location where immediate backup is needed. Lifeguard supervisors should be able to travel between guarded locations via all terrain vehicles. These vehicles should be equipped with basic life support medical aid equipment, and emergency lights or sirens.
Response time for backup is affected by variable conditions including: the position of the supervisor at the time of the call, the size of the crowd, the presence of natural and manmade obstructions, and the speed of the vehicle. If lifeguards are spaced too far apart, the supervisor in an emergency might be expected to respond great distances on an ATV with lights and siren. The fastest response, in this case, might be too long to provide meaningful backup. Slow response time is associated with most drowning deaths.
Breaks
Observation of an open water swimming area requires constant vigilance. Much has been written about the tremendous challenge presented by attempting to maintain concentration in the face of the monotony of watching swimmers for extended periods of time. Training may help, but it does not eliminate normal human reactions to stress or fatigue. If lifeguard concentration lapses, even momentarily, it can have lethal consequences for those under the protection of the lifeguard. For this reason alone, regular breaks are critical.
Breaks are also needed due to the environment in which lifeguards work. Often it is hot and windy, and lifeguards are exposed to the elements. And breaks are required for simple human needs, like eating, using restrooms, and stretching legs.
In general, lifeguards should be assigned to water observation for no more than an hour at a time before being given a break of at least 1/4 hour. A lunch and/or workout break should also be scheduled daily. USLA certification requires that lifeguards be provided an opportunity to exercise each day during their regular shift. This helps keep lifeguards alert and helps encourage them to maintain the high levels of fitness needed for the job. Many lifeguard agencies perform organized morning group workouts daily, and individual workouts throughout the day as conditions permit. Breaks are facilitated between team members, with the lifeguard on break remaining in the area.
Equipment
Lifeguards need a variety of rescue and medical equipment to effectively carry out their jobs. The most basic is the rescue floatation device and swim fins. Additional equipment, such as rescue boards, first aid kits, binoculars, vehicles, and boats can be helpful as well. In some cases, the provision of automotive equipment can help limit the need for personnel, particularly backup personnel. Further information on lifeguard rescue equipment options is
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 22 of 35 available in Open Water Lifesaving The United States Lifesaving Association Manual, (second edition).18
In an area such as Baldwin County, with vast expanses of open beach, emergency response vehicles, boats, and personal watercraft are essential. They allow rapid backup to remote locations, conveyance of lifeguard equipment and personnel where needed, improved supervision, effective patrol, and a high level presence. Rescue boats can provide essential services to rapidly rescue multiple victims in high surf or rip current conditions. The availability of such tools can maximize the effectiveness of lifeguards and may help limit needs for personnel.
Responsibility and Management
Lifeguard agencies are providers of emergency services and are thus a link in the chain of public safety service systems. Lifeguards who serve marine environments are in fact hired to assume responsibility for the protection and rescue of people from a hazardous environment. They should be well trained, have high skill levels, be willing to accept a significant amount of responsibility and, at times, risk their lives. Employers or employees cannot take this duty lightly.
Due to the seasonal nature of the lifeguard services provided by Gulf Shores and the nonexistence of lifeguards in Orange Beach and in Alabama Gulf State Parks, local firefighters and police are called upon to respond to aquatic emergencies at times. Most often, these responses are by land. In most cases, marine units are dispatched to coastal drowning emergencies, unless it’s been determined that seas are too rough for the unit to exit the inlet into the gulf. More often than not, as a consequence of the time delay between receipt of the emergency call and the arrival of professional rescuers on the scene, the effort results in the “recovery” of the body of a deceased swimmer rather than the rescue of a viable patient.
At times when lifeguards are on duty, a clear chain of command should be prearranged to avoid any confusion at emergency scenes. Further, the response of multiple agencies to an incident requires that all of the agencies have clear operational guidelines and/or mutual aid agreements in place which optimize their effectiveness. If firefighters, police, park rangers, or EMS workers are to be expected to participate in in-water rescue, they should first be fully trained to USLA national standards. This helps ensure adequate victim care and personal safety protection for the employees so assigned. The formation of an official ARRT team would be beneficial.
Although standards of care owed to individuals vary, any determination of negligence or civil liability is based on standards for performance of the professional lifeguard. Ignorance of such professional obligations is no excuse for failing to meet them. Therefore, those with the administrative and functional expertise to administer a
18 Brewster, B. Chris (Editor). Open Water Lifesaving: The United States Lifesaving Association Manual; Prentice Hall 2003 ISBN 0-536-73735-5 (Chapters 13 and 14)
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 23 of 35 comprehensive public safety quality assurance program should conduct management and supervision of beach safety personnel.
Recruitment and Retention of Lifeguards
An annual recruiting drive and pre-employment training process to find the numbers of able recruits needed to staff the beaches is sound practice. Due to their relative unavailability, utilization of employees attending schools (high schools, trade schools, and colleges, etc.) should not be solely relied upon. The development of a recurrent part-time lifeguard staff with on-call deployment capabilities is paramount to keeping the lifeguard stands occupied. Lifeguard salaries should be comparable to those of other local emergency service workers. When necessary, salaries should be adjusted in order to help retain and attract professional lifeguards.
It is also possible to positively affect recruitment and retention by improving working conditions in areas important to prospective and existing employees. Properly equipped and sanitary lifeguard facilities are one aspect of working conditions that can help with recruitment and retention efforts. Lifeguard facilities deemed to be substandard or inadequate signal a low level of respect for the employees and for the service they provide. Lifeguard equipment should be properly stored in an area of adequate space. Lifeguards should have lockers, showers, or other amenities at their worksites. Lifeguard facilities should be of high quality and provide amenities one might expect at a fire or police station. This is especially true considering that lifeguards will welcome and medically treat the public at such facilities. The public will, of course, expect sanitary conditions while a wound or other injury is being treated.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 24 of 35 Oversight Options
In Alabama’s Gulf Coast region, there are no local ordinances or statutes addressing water safety concerns. In 2008, accidental death was the fifth leading cause of death statewide, and drowning deaths ranked second behind motor vehicle accidents. 19 Drowning is preventable through sound health safety policy. This policy must include the provision of lifeguards on public beaches.20
In the United States, lifeguard protection is most commonly provided by the entity that owns the adjacent beach. This is true even though the owner of the beach is not always the owner of the water. In effect, the owner of the beach provides lifeguards to protect users of its beach as well as those who venture into adjacent waters, regardless of who owns these waters.
The vast majority of surf lifeguard programs in the United States are administered by government agencies, with the lifeguards employed by those agencies. This is obviously the case in Gulf Shores as well. The fact that a lifeguard service is under public control assures direct accountability to both county officials and citizens. If expectations are not met, the hiring entity has the authority to take immediate steps to correct any deficiencies. This is of particular import with respect to a public safety provider.
Another option, when lifeguards are public employees, is conference of enforcement powers. A variety of approaches in this regard are utilized in the United States, from arming lifeguards and providing them full police powers (examples include Volusia County, Florida, and California State Parks), to providing limited arrest and citation powers, to conferring only the right to issue legally enforceable verbal warnings. When properly utilized, this option reduces reliance on police, engenders greater respect for and compliance with lifeguard directions, helps keep beaches clean and orderly, and enhances beach safety. Obviously, it requires training appropriate to the level of enforcement power conferred.
Research
In Baldwin County, the Fire and Police Departments presumably file reports on drowning deaths. Logging and reviewing incident reports provides data that may indicate new areas of responsibility, periods of operation, and levels of staffing. Additionally, there are 9-1-1 dispatch logs and department run reports that can be evaluated. The Baldwin County Medical Examiner’s Office is another good source of research on drowning incidents. In requesting information on drowning deaths, it is sometimes helpful to ask for all information on “coastal deaths,” due to the fact that some drowning deaths are classified as cardiac, seizure, or stroke deaths secondary to drowning. Records of beach attendance, rescues, medical assistance, drowning death, and near death are essential to guide lifeguard staffing, location, and manpower/budget allocation. Further research is needed to help
19 See ADPH website http://www.adph.org/injuryprevention/index.asp?id=1031 accessed January 3, 2010 20 The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends to “Always swim near a lifeguard” see http://www3.acep.org/patients.aspx?id=26164
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 25 of 35 identify both locations where and times when drowning death and near death has taken place over the past five years. This should not be the sole determinant for placement of lifeguards, but should be taken into account.
All Baldwin County emergency service entities should consider reporting to the USLA their annual statistical record of contacts, medical treatments, rescues, visitation, and drowning deaths to add to the national USLA database. By recording data in this manner and conducting a comparison study, an agency should be able to evaluate effectiveness and determine new areas of need.
Jurisdictional Issues
The fact that there are a number of government agencies operating in Baldwin County brings jurisdictional issues, and these pose challenges to the organization and administration of comprehensive area lifeguard service(s) there. There are municipalities’, state agency, and county interests converging in a popular coastal recreational area and this raises interesting questions regarding public safety policy and funding sources needed to implement policy. These questions are not unique to Alabama; similar questions have arisen around the country.
Examples of multi jurisdictional arrangements as related to lifeguard services abound in Florida and California. In Brevard County, Florida, for example, the county Fire Department contracts with coastal municipalities to provide lifeguard services throughout 40 miles of county beach. In other areas, municipalities provide city funded lifeguard services that serve alongside county and state funded lifeguard services.
Cooperation and communication between the agencies are essential elements to providing the best service at the least cost. Jurisdictional responsibilities between the state, the county, and the municipalities should be itemized in a written agreement.
Local governments in Baldwin County have mutual assistance agreements in place, coordinating county and city medical and operational protocols under the direction of the county Medical Director’s office. This office should publish separate protocols for beach lifeguards. When there is a reported drowning in the city of Gulf Shores, beach attendants are called upon. This, however, is not the case in Orange Beach or Gulf State Park.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 26 of 35 THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING A TOURIST ECONOMY
The Alabama state legislature has recognized the importance of tourism to both state and local economies. In order to promote tourism, the legislature established an Advisory Board to the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel that “serve[s] as a body to advise the director and private persons on the development and implementation of state policies and programs relating to tourism and recreation and to assist in the coordination of these activities.”21
In Alabama, there have been increased tourism revenues over the past few years. In 2008, tourists brought over $9.6 billion into the Alabama economy.22 Of this, nearly 40% was retained by the state. The Gulf Coast Region of Alabama, comprised mostly of Baldwin County, saw 35% of statewide tourism generated revenue. Between 2006 and 2008, Baldwin County posted travel related earnings of nearly $3 billion.23
In November of 2008, the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau received the results of an online survey that examined the image of its beaches pursuant to magazine advertisements it ran to promote beach visitation.24 The survey determined that the likely targets for beach tourism marketing were residents from the states of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. For the most part, these would likely be people with limited exposure to a beach environment and its associated hazards.
A key point of the report cited that among “general population” participants in the survey, there was a substantial inability to rate an overall perception of both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. This, in turn, “suggests that there is a blank slate on which to develop perceptions of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores among those in the general population.”25
In response to the question, “What is important in a beach vacation destination?” survey participants answered that “logistics and atmosphere” were most important. It is worth noting that by the consultants’ definition, the term “logistics” did not include the provision of lifeguard services for beach visitors. The survey also drew comparisons to Florida Panhandle beaches. These comparisons are indeed true of the geological aspects of the general area, and while the pleasures of a beach vacation may be comparable, so too are the dangers.
Promotion of tourism tends to focus on offering special amenities that might be perceived as desirable by those who may wish to visit. Normally, these special amenities do not include public safety services, because it is presumed by most people that communities in the United States will provide for their safety. Therefore, just as it is unlikely that potential tourists who might be surveyed would be motivated to visit a community due to the
21 Title 41 State Government - Chapter 7 Bureau of Tourism and Travel - Section 41-7-3
22 See Alabama Tourism Report http://alabama.travel/media/media_room/Report/2008TourismReport.pdf 23 Ibid (page 24) 24 New South Research Report entitled “Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau Perceptions of Area and Ads Online Survey November 5 – 8, 2008” accessed online January 3, 2010. 25 Ibid (slide 4)
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 27 of 35 expansiveness of its police protection, so too could be expected to be the case for lifeguard protection. However, if a community engenders a negative reputation for crime or a beach community for drowning deaths, the consequences for tourism can be severe. Providing adequate public safety should be seen not as an amenity, but as a basic expectation of tourists.
Baldwin County officials in their attempts to draw more tourists to their beautiful beaches should remain cognizant of the tragic incidents that led to the creation of lifeguard services in much of the Florida panhandle and they should strive to avoid having history repeated.26 The suggestion that Baldwin County has a blank slate to develop interest in its beach communities as tourist destinations is true only insofar as it can promote its commitment to providing safe, guarded beaches. Without comprehensive lifeguard services and with an expanding interest in marketing beach tourism, a different reputation will surely grow.
26 In 2003, twelve people drowned over two months and nine drowned over a two day period in the area. Ten of the twelve victims were from out of state. See report at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/DEMO/InjuryPrevention/reports.html#DrowningReports
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 28 of 35 FUNDING OF AQUATIC SAFETY IN BALDWIN COUNTY
As a matter of legislative intent, it has been recognized that tourism is a business that brings both costs and benefits to beach communities. Residents also use the beaches, and benefit from income from tourism, so it is not unreasonable for the county and municipalities to use some ad valorem funds to provide for public safety on public beaches. The concern we heard from various stakeholders was, again, centered on how these services would be funded. Funding can be derived from a variety of sources including but not limited to: ad valorem funds, parking fees, concession franchise fees, tourist lodging tax, and grants. Grants that help fund beach safety services in the Florida panhandle, for example, include EMS Matching Grants which are typically used for capital outlay and/or operating supplies that improve or enhance the local EMS system.
In Baldwin County, the primary fiscal beneficiaries of improved beach safety would be business owners who benefit by tourist income. If protection is improved, it will likely result in sustained or improved income to the tourist economy, to the benefit of all. As such, a source of funding for beach safety protection may be tourist businesses. Funding of lifeguard services must be considered not simply as expense coverage but also as a revenue enhancer. Lifeguards protect tourists, and tourist derived revenue is vital to the Baldwin County economy. There can be no doubt that Baldwin County’s beaches have contributed to the county’s income much more than they have been an expense to its taxpayers.27 The mind-set of funding lifeguard expense needs to become an attitude of funding expansion of a service that protects a revenue source.
Equitable funding must be related to the user of the service to be funded, to the extent possible. In this regard, based on sales tax revenues, we have found certain obvious areas of possible user fees. In 2008, tourists spent most of their daily expenditures on food and accommodations. These items represent 40% of tourist spending, which makes an excellent candidate for a simple room and meal tax. Another approach to fund enhanced recreational services is already being undertaken in the Alabama Mountain Lakes tax district. Unlike the rest of Alabama which has a 4% bed tax rate, the Alabama Lakes area is assessed at a 5% rate. The additional 1% is distributed evenly between the Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and the four counties where it is assessed.28 Obviously, based upon the revenue generated from coastal tourism within Baldwin County, most, if not all, of the costs associated with providing professional open water lifesaving services could be funded in a similar manner. This potentially completely eliminates the need for Ad Valorem tax dollar funding. Further, the people potentially needing the lifesaving services would be the ones paying for it. A 1% increase on a several hundred dollars per night room are negligible and
27 In 2008, the revenue generated by tourism saved each Alabama household $404 in taxes applied to current service levels 28 http:// www.revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/staterates.html “A privilege tax is levied upon every person or firm that rents or furnishes lodgings or accommodations to transients for a fee. The statewide tax is distributed to the State General Fund and to the Department of Tourism and Travel in a 75%-to-25% ratio, respectively. An additional levy is made in a four-county region known as the Mountain Lakes area for the promotion of tourism and recreation. Proceeds from the additional levy are distributed 50% to the Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and 50% to the four counties.”
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 29 of 35 easily defended by the provision of enhanced services and a corresponding reduction in the number of drowning related deaths.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 30 of 35 RECOMMENDATIONS
In an effort to advise and assist in reducing the incidence of drowning and promoting aquatic safety in Baldwin County, we make the following recommendations:
Prevention Through Public Education
1. A learn-to-swim program should be implemented throughout the county to increase the number of people in the community who know how to swim and to educate them about aquatic safety. 2. A recreation-based Junior Lifeguard program should be adopted by Baldwin County. This program could be run as a fee-structured summer camp, with qualified lifeguard personnel acting as instructors, and income offsetting costs of the employees. Depending upon community interest, a program could be offered in each municipality. 3. Baldwin County, should assure consistency, accuracy and ease of use in its Internet based information regarding aquatic safety. Links should be established to recognized aquatic safety organizations, such as USLA and the International Life Saving Federation. 4. Area hotels should offer aquatic safety materials, pamphlets and closed circuit educational videos, to their guests. Printed materials should include beach safety information, such as where to find lifeguard protected areas and the dates/times lifeguards are on duty. These materials should be consistent in content, with leadership of the county in consultation with aquatic safety experts. 5. A recorded telephone line should be dedicated to provide beach safety information, such as tides, surf size, diving conditions, lifeguard availability, and other information likely to appeal to beach users, whether experienced or novice. This number can be advertised on maps and in other literature. An example of this can be found by dialing 619-221-8824 or 954-828-4597. 6. Municipal legislators should enact ordinances that outline the authority of lifeguard personnel regarding the enforcement of beach safety rules. These ordinances should not conflict with municipal beach safety ordinances. Existing beach safety ordinances should be reviewed for current usage trends and modified accordingly.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 31 of 35 Emergency Services Planning and Management
7. Government entities in Baldwin County should collaborate in developing a strategic plan with the goal of creating and implementing a beach safety management program throughout Baldwin County. This goal should include the provision of lifeguard services at designated public bathing areas that will ensure safety, save lives, and promote the reputation of the area as a safe area for tourism. 8. Beach safety strategies should be guided by the principle of drowning prevention and should strive to provide lifeguards in public areas where people are known to swim and to encourage people to swim in protected areas. Overlapping surveillance of swimmers is a critical component of effective drowning prevention and should be implemented wherever possible. 9. The employer should give primary responsibility for its beach safety services management to a qualified and experienced lifeguard. This lifeguard manager should develop and implement standard operating guidelines, as well as operational policies and procedures. The manager should issue an annual report highlighting the accomplishments of and proposing improvements to the service. 10. The lifeguard service manager(s) together with the employer(s) should define roles and responsibilities for response to aquatic safety incidents both within and outside of designated public bathing areas, at all times of the day and throughout the year 11. A policy for lifeguard and public safety personnel response to “after-hours” aquatic emergencies should be developed. This could involve a dispatching and/or “callback” system for lifeguards, or cross training of other emergency services workers (consistent with USLA standards) who would be on-duty at all hours. 12. Research and record keeping should be based upon data collected from incident reports, medical run reports, and other sources. The employer should develop and implement written policy to address debriefing after major incidents and should issue its findings in a written report, with appropriate recommendations to minimize the chance of recurrence. 13. Employers should facilitate the construction of lifeguard headquarters and/or sub-headquarters buildings. These should include meeting space, first aid stations, and locker room facilities for lifeguards. Most particularly, an adequate number of modern lifeguard towers must be provided. 14. Lifeguards services in Baldwin County should participate in the USLA Lifeguard Agency Certification Program. Firefighters and other emergency personnel who might respond to water rescue should, at a
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 32 of 35 minimum, be trained to standards promulgated by the United States Lifesaving Association. Lifeguards (not firefighters or police) should be first responders to all water rescue incidents and should be the first notified when aquatic emergencies arise. Firefighters and police should respond, as appropriate, in a support role, and should work under a prearranged incident command structure with lifeguards in the lead position when on-scene.
Lifeguard Staffing
15. Lifeguards should be provided at locations where swimming is known to occur with regularity and where steps have been taken that invite users to the beach. This would include beaches with public access, parking, and other amenities, including hotels. 16. Government agencies in Baldwin County should employ full time lifeguard staff in a number adequate to ensure a minimum level of safety protection throughout the county year-round. 17. While, in some cases, lifeguards may need to work alone for limited periods of time, backup must be rapid, reliable, and adequate to ensure safety of the lifeguard and the public. 18. At each staffed beach, the area of responsibility of lifeguards assigned to each lifeguard tower should be clearly defined. Where multiple towers are placed on a beach, they should be positioned closely enough to each other to ensure that the area of responsibility of each tower overlaps that of any adjacent tower, since beach patrons will be relying on continuous coverage between towers. The area of responsibility should be realistic in size to allow vigilant lifeguards to observe and respond to people in distress in time to prevent death or injury. 19. Seasonal lifeguard protection of designated swimming areas should operate at locations where and during times of the year when increased numbers of people are most likely to swim. This should begin no later than the beginning of March and extend at least through October, seven days a week. 20. Location, hours of operation, and dates of seasonal staffing should be determined based on response time, attendance, conditions, and demonstrated need. Hours of operation should be clearly posted and consistent throughout the county, so as to not confuse patrons who frequent multiple beach locations. The use of staggered shifts is recommended to maximize lifeguard coverage, so long as no lifeguard is assigned to work without an immediate source of qualified backup. The beach safety management plan should incorporate this policy. 21. Lifeguard agencies in Baldwin County should develop a system that allows for augmentation of staff above regular levels to assist lifeguard operations during unexpected weather conditions. A major incident plan should be developed for these periods, with a method of bringing on additional staff as
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 33 of 35 needed. The Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department should be a part of these plans to lend additional support to lifeguard resources. 22. The system of logs and statistical reporting should conform to USLA standards and utilized to develop a base for locating staff and scheduling manpower.
Funding
23. A tourism lodging fee, as is already used in Alabama Mountain Lakes, should be pursued and dedicated to the provision of lifeguard services. In addition, since all three government entities are already funding lifeguard and/or beach attendant programs at some level, this funding could dramatically enhance those operations. 24. Additional sources of revenue might be identified through beach parking fees and/or concession fees for local vendors. 25. Federal and state grants may be available through Homeland Security or EMS for lifeguard infrastructure, communications, and training.
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 34 of 35 RECOMMENDED REFERENCES
Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group Branche CM, Stewart S. (Editors). Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2001. (see Appendix) Download from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/lifeguard/lifeguard.htm
Guidelines for Open Water Lifeguard Agency Certification United States Lifesaving Association, rev. November 2001 (see Appendix) Download from: http://www.usla.org/Train%2BCert/USLA Guidelines.pdf
Open Water Lifesaving – The United States Lifesaving Association Manual Brewster, B. Chris (ed.) Pearson Custom Publishing. 2003. ISBN 0-536-73735-5
A Work Behavior-Oriented Job Analysis for Lifeguards - Final Technical Report National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Mael, Fred A. et al. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 1998 Download from: http://www.usla.org/PublicInfo/lfglibrary.shtml
International Standards for Beach Safety and Information Flags http://www.usla.org/PublicInfo/library/FlagWarningStandardsILSFinal20FEB04.pdf
Better Beaches Griffiths, Tom. National Recreation and Park Association; 1999. ISBN 0-929581-62- 8
2010 Aquatic Safety Assessment Alabama Gulf Coast Page 35 of 35 United States Lifesaving Association Southwest Region Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 President: Michael A. Beuerlein
Introduction
Spring has sprung, and like the swallows of San Juan Capistrano, throngs of visitors are returning to California’s shores to seek refuge from the heat, trusting professional lifeguards to protect their safety. What is different this year is that government agencies continue to struggle as a result of our depressed economy. Budgets have been slashed, towers have been closed, tryouts have been canceled, hiring has been frozen, pay has been cut, personnel have been furloughed and positions have been eliminated. And yet, the permanent lifeguards who remain are welcoming those seasonal lifeguards who are allowed to return, to once again, do more with less, and accept the challenge to fulfill our public safety mission. So fight on we will. Why? Because that’s what we do! We are part of a noble profession and families depend on us to use our unique skills and resourcefulness to educate, prevent and rescue. The California Surf Lifesaving Association is dedicated to promoting professional lifesaving standards and beach safety awareness. The CSLSA Executive Board is committed to our mission and representing our members to the United States Lifesaving Association.
Activities, Accomplishments, and Information (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Since the Fall 2009 USLA Board of Director’s Meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia, CSLSA has been pleased that USLA continues to do a great job of promoting professional lifesaving standards throughout our country and abroad. CSLSA is honored to support the USLA mission, goals and objectives. 2. The 2010-11 CSLSA Executive Board has already met three times this year and continues to work hard on behalf of our members. Thanks to outgoing Executive Board Members Alex Peabody and Jon Mitchell for their excellent service in furtherance of CSLSA’s mission. We are grateful that both gentlemen intend to stay actively involved in the future. 3. CSLSA is pleased to welcome our two newest Executive Board Members, Jay Butki and Bill Humphreys. Both are uniquely qualified with nearly 20 years of heavy CSLSA involvement in important committees, Public Education and Competition. They are both very deserving and will continue to represent our members well. 4. CSLSA Committee Chairs remain unchanged for the 2010-11 term with the following exceptions: Rich Hidalgo will chair the Certification Committee, Mike Silvestri will chair the Training Committee and Chris Pierce will co-chair the Public Education Committee with Bill Humphreys. 5. 2010-11 USLA Certification Officers from the Southwest Region are Rich Hidalgo, Bill Richardson, Rick Gould, Larry Giles and Carl Drake. 6. In January, I was honored to present USLA Lifetime Member Reenie Boyer with a CSLSA Award of Appreciation at her retirement dinner for her 26 years of dedicated service to the City of Newport Beach. We are glad that Reenie has agreed to continue serving as CSLSA First Executive Delegate and Chair of both the CSLSA and USLA Junior Lifeguard Committees.
Page 1 of 3 7. The CSLSA extends its heartfelt condolences to Charlotte Graham and her family for the loss of her mother. CSLSA made a donation in the amount of $100.00 to the United States Lifesaving Foundation in the name of Charlotte M. Graham, in memory of her mother Ritva Smits Van Oyen.
8. CSLSA’s $1,100 donation to the 2010 Wieland Shield Competition Team seems to have been a worthwhile investment. Congratulations to the CSLSA competitors for the most successful performance in years. Competitors are eager to return to San Diego for Regionals this summer. Jeff Hatfield and his team will be supported, as usual, by Scott Hubbell, Jay Butki and the rest of the CSLSA Executive Board. 9. I would like to express CSLSA’s sincere gratitude to both Steve and Linda Reuter for helping to promote our non-profit corporation once again at the Action Sports Retail Show in San Diego. We appreciate them arranging booth space, at no cost, for CSLSA. A special thanks to the CSLSA members who volunteered to support our association. Steve’s great idea to network with the surf industry will hopefully pay dividends for CSLSA in the future. 10. San Clemente Marine Safety Chief Bill Humphreys and crew did a standout job of hosting the Spring 2010 CSLSA Board of Directors meeting on April 15th & 16th.
Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. For years, one of USLA’s major goals has been to raise funds to hire an Executive Director to manage USLA’s daily operations. While CSLSA agrees that USLA needs additional revenue streams, CSLSA objected to a proposed consulting agreement that cost $40,000 up front with no guaranteed return. After voting on the matter, USLA ultimately signed a consulting agreement with Isaac Sports Group to market USLA. CSLSA can only hope that ISG will be successful in acquiring sponsorship. Fund raising for the 2010 Nationals will be the first litmus test. 2. At the Spring 2010 CSLSA Board of Directors Meeting, a HSBLA Nationals Organizing committee representative spoke on the “state of the state” and the host agreement negotiations. Due to the change of dates for the US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach Pier to July 31st - August 8th, Huntington Beach hotel occupancies are very impacted on the initially planned dates of August 4, 5, and 6. To avoid this conflict HSBLA has proposed changing the dates to August 12, 13, and 14 as part of their host agreement with the USLA. The following motion was made: “The CSLSA Competition Committee has no opposition to the HSBLA USLA National Lifeguard Championships organizing committee changing the dates to August 12, 13, and 14”. The motion passed unanimously.
For reference, the USLA Policy & Procedures state that the National Lifeguard Championships will be held “on the 2nd weekend in August. The dates may be altered to meet site needs with the approval of the USLA Board of Directors.” Discussion followed on the host agreement and the reimbursement of officials. At the Fall USLA Board of Directors Competition Committee meeting in Williamsburg, a sub-committee was proposed to be formed to re-examine, analyze and discuss methods to streamline and improve the process of the USLA National Lifeguard Championships, and thereby increase the production and performance in the future. As such, the costs for officials have been proposed to be shifted to the USLA Competition Committee rather than the chapter host. This cost change would be reflected in future host agreements. However, since there appears to have been no action on this matter since the fall meeting, it remains status quo.
3. CSLSA is encouraged to see a proposal submitted to the Nationals Re-Organization Working Group Committee for review at this meeting. As the proposal concludes, “the future of the United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships depends upon a re- Page 2 of 3 organization which rightly places the fiscal responsibility for holding the annual event on the parent organization. The USLA is the national body with connections to NOAA, CDC, YMCA, American Red Cross, and other recognized national bodies. As such only the USLA is in a position to gain ongoing large-scale corporate sponsorship for its many endeavors, including the National Championships. It is unreasonable and unfair to expect small chapters of lifeguards throughout the nation to bear the financial responsibility of hosting a national event such as our Championships. It is also unfair to ask chapters with somewhat better financing to repeatedly host the event due to the inability of any other locations to do so. The time has come for the USLA to become the host of the National Lifeguard Championships.” 4. CSLSA continues to work with USLA to find a way to affiliate with the United States Olympic Committee without drastically changing the structure of our organization. If this affiliation comes to fruition, CSLSA hopes that we will not have to change our bylaws. 5. Due to the state of the economy, many legislative bodies are looking at reorganizing and consolidating departments and divisions. As a result, I have learned that Human Resource and Personnel Departments are considering the USLA and Regional websites as authoritative sources of information. It is fundamentally important that the information we post is accurate and up to date. As volunteer organizations, USLA and USLA Regions depend on the information received from our chapters. Chapters have a responsibility to report information on test dates and salaries for both permanent and seasonal employees. Regional representatives need to follow-up to get the information from the chapters on their websites. Likewise, USLA needs to follow-up with the Regions to make sure the USLA website is up to date with accurate information that will shape the future of our agencies and their employees. In Williamsburg, the Executive Delegate Committee recommended that salary information be a requirement for certification. We would like this matter to be placed on the Certification Committee Agenda for this meeting. 6. Dr. Victor Zavala-Hamz, PhD. President of the Asociacion Mexican de Salvavidas, A.C. (AMS), has asked that USLA and CSLSA direct all ideas and plans to assist lifesaving in Mexico through the AMS for coordination and consistency, and to avoid duplication of efforts. 7. The CSLSA Executive Board is excited to be in the Lone Star State representing our members at the USLA Meeting in Galveston, Texas.
Finally, let’s hope, that in 2010, our agencies are properly staffed with the lifeguards and resources they need to continue our outstanding safety record of protecting the families that place their lives in our hands.
Page 3 of 3 United States Lifesaving Association Contracted Staff Liaison Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Ed Zebrowski
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Worked with and provided all requested information to ISG. Placed ISG in contact with various members of USLA to facilitate gathering of information. 2. Arranged a meeting in Huntington Beach between ISG and members of the host committee. 3. Held discussions with Ford, we have a new representative, on possible sponsorship of Nationals and tee-shirts for the membership kit. As yet we have not had a definite answer. 4. Reviewed numerous sponsorship proposals which will be discussed with the Executive Board. 5. Contacted many companies looking for sponsorship, specifically the Nationals with no luck so far but a few are still possible.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Certification Committee Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Tony Pryor
Introduction
How is everyone?
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Still in talks with Ocean City, New Jersey about USLA Certification violations. 2. Talk over some points that Brenda made to possible make the system work better. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. Virginia Beach EMS, Va – regular certification 2. Hawaii County, Hi - regular certification 3. Kanula Water Safety, Hi – regular with discussion about 1000yd swim in 20 min. 4. Santa Barbara, Ca - regular certification 5. South Walton Fire District, Fl – regular certification 6. Panama Beach Safety Division, Fl – regular certification pending the McManus report of findings 7. San Fransico Fire Dept. – ARRT 8. La County Dept of Parks & Rec Lake Lifeguards – advanced certification 9. Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue - 6 month extension 10. Hayden, ID - 6 month extension 11. Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue, NC – 6 month extension 12. Miami Dade Fire Ocean Rescue, Fl – 6 month extension 13. Nassau County Ocean Rescue, Fl - 6 month extension 14. San Diego Fire Rescue Lifeguard Service – 6 month extension 15. North Myrtle Beach – 6 month extension 16. Sonoma County Parks and Recreation, Ca – 6 month extension 17. Ocean Beach, NJ – 6 month extension 18. Exepedition School – pending 19. Miami beach ocean rescue – pending 20. Monmouth Beach & Tennis – pending 21. Monterey Beach Ocean Rescue – pending 22. Surf City, NJ - pending Attachments
1. CO procedure
Page 1 of 1 You have been selected as the Certification Officer for review of the above mentioned lifeguard agency. We have converted to an electronic processing system, so you will not receive a paper copy of the application.
A link to the most current list of certification applications, including the application for this agency, can be found at the bottom of this message. Please click on the link at the bottom of this message, find the agency in the list, and then click on the agency name to open and download the application for your review. The first page is the review form for you to complete. The following pages are the agency’s application. You can fill out the review form on your computer and save the file.
Within the next 30 days (sooner if possible), please follow the numbered steps below to complete your review.
If you have any questions during the review process, please contact Certification Committee Chair at [email protected] or at 866-367-8752, extension #271. You may also contact the Certification Administrator at [email protected].
1. Immediately reply to this email to confirm that you have received this application for review.
2. Review the downloaded application package for completeness. It should start with a blank Report of Findings, for you to complete, followed by an application and curriculum checklist, submitted by the applying agency.
3. Contact the listed agency contact person to advise that you have received the application and are reviewing it. Advise that you will be calling later for any questions you may have and to inform of the progress of the review. We want agencies to consider this process a cooperative effort.
5. Review the package in detail to determine whether the agency meets the standards. For lifeguard agencies, you must determine whether this is at a basic or advanced level. If there is any question or an apparent discrepancy, ask the agency contact person to provide you with documents you consider necessary to validate the agency's claims. Remember that we occasionally update the standards, so there will likely be new standards that this agency was not required to meet previously.
6. It is suggested, but not required, that an on-site review be conducted. It is recommended that you make an appointment with the contact person listed in the application and take the opportunity to arrange for a tour of the agency. This will be an excellent review the application with the agency contact person. Please remember that you are representing the membership of USLA and your region during this meeting and conduct yourself accordingly.
7. To encourage on-site reviews for first time applications, you are eligible for reimbursement of reasonable expenses up to $100. If you anticipate that your expenses will exceed $100, please contact the Chair of the National Certification Committee for consultation and prior approval. Receipts and requests for reimbursement should be submitted to the USLA Treasurer.
8. If you find, after careful review of the agency, that it may no longer meet minimum USLA standards, advise the agency contact person of the areas where you believe the agency is lacking. Recommend steps which could be taken to meet the standards. The intent of the USLA Certification Program is to encourage high standards. If the agency wishes to make changes to meet the standards, provide an opportunity for them to do so and ask them to send you information verifying the changes.
9. If you are recommending approval, you may so advise the applying agency, but make it clear that final approval is dependent on a vote of the USLA Board of Directors. The Board meets twice a year, usually in April and November.
10. It is critical that if, during the review process, you have received any additional information directly from the agency to verify compliance with the standards, you send all of this information to the program administrator. We need to have copies of all information you used in your decision on file. This material should be mailed to Certification Administrator, PO Box 1266, San Marcos, CA 92079-1266.
11. When the review is complete, complete the Report of Findings on the first page of the application, save the file, and return it to: [email protected].
An electronic Report of Findings review form has been created for Certification Officers. That form is located at the top of the list of certifications on the website.
Brenda Warner
United States Lifesaving Association Competition Committee Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Committee Chair: Ed Zebrowski Committee Members: Andy Braudy; Jay Butki; Tim Gallagher; Jim McCrady; Tony Pryor; Paul Pivec
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Have attempted to finalize a host agreement with Cal State Huntington Beach for 2010. We are close but nothing has been signed. 2. Agreed on host agreement with Cape May for 2011. Issues for Discussion and/or Resolution (At This Meeting)
1. Nationals 2. Nationals 2010 3. Nationals 2011 4. Nationals 2012 5. National Team selection process, budget process. 6. International Competitions 7. Swim Suit Policy 8. Review Junior Age Group Proposals Attachments
1. USLA Draft Swim Suit Policy 2. National Lifeguard Championships Re-Organization Proposal-Lotte Graham
Page 1 of 1
USLA Draft Swim Suit Policy Section 4.3- proposed edits shown in RED
4.3 COMPETITION CAPS / HELMETS / JERSEYS / SWIMWEAR
(a) Each individual Chapter shall be responsible to design and produce an official Chapter Competition cap (beanie) that identifies their Chapter.
(b) The Chapter’s official cap shall be worn on the head of the competitor and securely fastened under the chin at the start and finish of each event. Competitors shall not be disqualified for loss of their competition cap after the start if they complete all aspects of the event and it can be determined that they did not voluntarily remove their cap during the event.
(c) Competitors must wear their current official Chapter’s cap, not that of any other Chapter.
(d) Competition caps shall be required in every event except the Surfboat event. (e) In the Surfboat event helmets MUST BE WORN
(f) Design of Chapter cap shall be subject to approval of the USLA Competition Committee.
(g) All finalists must wear event sponsor competition jerseys, if provided, otherwise Vests or Lycra tops are optional. Competitors may also be required to wear distinctive coloured vests to assist with judging of finishes. Such vests will be supplied by USLA.
(h) Competitors shall wear costumes, clothing or dress as approved by the USLA. A competitor shall be not be permitted to take part in any competition if, in the opinion of the Referee, the competitor is not properly dressed. Swimwear for both USLA pool rescue competition and ocean events must comply with the following standards: Swimwear worn by males shall not extend above the navel or below the knee. Swimwear worn by females shall not cover the neck, shoulders or arms nor extend below the knees. Two piece swimsuits that conform to this standard may also be worn. The material and construction used in swimwear to be worn in all USLA pool rescue events and ocean competition event swim legs shall be: Only textile woven fabric(s) shall be permitted. Non-woven and/or non-permeable (e.g. wetsuit type) materials shall not be permitted. The material used shall have a maximum thickness of 0.8mm. Other than string ties for the tops of men’s swimwear or the bottom of female two piece swimwear no zippers or other fastening systems shall be permitted. Swimwear that provides flotation, pain reduction, chemical/medical stimulation or other external stimulation or influence of any type shall be prohibited. No outside application on the material shall be permitted. (Note: manufacturer brandings, club names or similar are permitted).
USLA will allow both male and female competitors to wear "modesty" swimwear made of a textile woven fabric under their swimsuit, provided that no competitive advantage is gained. Further, any modesty swimwear shall be restricted to the short style for men and the two piece style top and/or bottom for women.
Upon application for religious and/or cultural diversity reasons, USLA will consider the wearing of (non-body shaping) textile swimwear that covers a greater part of the body provided that such swimwear does not provide a competitive advantage.
DRESS OF COMPETITORS – COSTUMES, DRESS AND STYLE
Male Swimsuits Full Length Long Long Legs Knee Square Leg Short length Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Female Swimsuits Full Length Zippered Knee Length, Open Short, Open Back Two Piece Back Back Not Allowed Not Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
(h) Referee has the authority to exclude any competitor whose swim wear does not comply with the following standards: The swim wear of all competitors shall be in good moral taste and not carry any symbol which may be considered offensive. All swim wear shall be non-transparent. Competitors shall not wear or use anything that may aid buoyancy.
(i) Other Apparel- Swim goggles may be worn. The wearing of protective sunscreen is permitted. Sunglasses or optical glasses may be worn in all events with the exception of Beach Flags where eye protection or optical glasses worn must be suitably designed for that event. Jewelry that, in the opinion of the Referee, has the potential to cause injury to either the wearer or other competitors must be removed or taped over prior to the competition.
(j) The Referee may authorise the wearing of wetsuits, or "marine stinger suits", dependent upon weather, water or other marine conditions.
(k) Wetsuits shall be permitted in events when the water temperature is 16 degrees Celsius or less, (60 degrees F), or when the Referee determines wind chill is a factor. Water temperature measurements should be taken approximately 30 cm (12 inches) below the surface.
The only wetsuits approved for use in events involving swimming shall have a maximum thickness of 3 mm at any location on the wetsuit with a tolerance of 0.3 mm. Wetsuits cannot contain additional material to provide the wearer with flotation or buoyancy assistance. It is not permitted to wear more than one wetsuit (i.e. one upon the other) but one modesty textile swimsuit is permitted.
(l) Except for swimmers in events the wearing or other protective clothing (e.g. shorts, Lycra tops, t-shirts, etc.) may be worn by individual competitors in both individual and team events unless otherwise prescribed by these rules or the event organizing authority.
UNITED STATES LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION NATIONAL LIFEGUARD CHAMPIONSHIPS RE-ORGANIZATION PROPOSAL
OVERVIEW
The USLA National Lifeguard Championships is the premier competitive event for professional lifeguards in the United States. The most outstanding ocean athletes in the nation come together for 3 days to contest a series of events that showcase the skills and abilities required to be excellent lifeguards.
The United States Lifesaving Association “owns” this event. As such the Association must be expected to hold an exceptional championship event. Athletes should be able to presume that the event will be held in a specific manner each year no matter where the championships are held. Host chapters or agencies should be able expect complete support from the USLA and should NOT be asked to do more than provide a safe, accessible, spacious beach and the appropriate number of lifeguards to provide beach and water safety for the duration of the event. It would be the responsibility of the USLA to vet the desired beach venue in advance to determine if there were appropriate accommodations, parking and other necessary infrastructure to hold the event as expected. Once a beach and affiliated agency or chapter was selected by the USLA, that host would be asked to acquire the appropriate permits to hold the event at their location. The USLA would be responsible for all remaining aspects of planning and holding the event.
The following pages contain re-organization proposals.
EVENT ORGANIZATION
* Change the National Championships into a 4-day event
* Make Junior Lifeguard Nationals a two day event: Wednesday and Thursday. 1. Begin with a few hours of registration for late signups, then a “parade of athletes” on the first morning 2. Hold all individual JG events on 3 separate age group courses on the first day 3. Hold all the relay events on the second day on one water course consecutively by age group 4. Finish with an awards ceremony at end of second day
* Hold the Masters Lifeguard National Championships on Thursday (2nd day of JG events) on one water course and one beach course; complete all eligible events, alternating men then women per age group
* Hold preliminary heats for designated events on Thursday (2nd day of JG events) on third water course and one beach course
Benefits of these changes:
The Junior Guard Nationals is currently an overwhelming and exhausting day. Parents have a hard time watching children in more than one age group and teams have little interaction with each other. By making it a 2-day event, which is very common in youth sports, each day will be shorter and officials running the event will be less spent. Only one primary crew of JG officials will be needed for the second day of relays only, since it will all be run on one course consecutively. Adding crowd-pleasing aspects such as the parade of athletes and an awards ceremony will elevate the National event to the standing it deserves.
By holding the entire Masters Nationals on Thursday, you free up many older competitors who are willing and able to assist with running the remaining 2 days of Lifeguard Nationals. You also enable those few Masters who still wish to compete in Open events the opportunity to do so, as the events will not overlap at the same time as they currently do. There will also be reduced equipment-sharing issues. Finally, only one primary crew of officials will be needed to run the Masters Nationals, which allows the remaining officials to run the preliminary lifeguard heats on the third course.
EVENT PARTICIPATION
In addition to the current age group breakdown, we propose that an “Under 19” category be added for all 16-19 year old professional lifeguards. This is a standard age group in the rest of the world and is recognized in the ILS rules we use. With the reorganization of the National Championships, adding this age group for all eligible events will not add to the overall length of the days. Since Friday and Saturday of the National Championships will be dedicated to Open competitors and there will be three water courses available, one would be dedicated to Open events, one to Women’s events, and one to Under 19 events.
RESPONSIBILITIES of each entity
The USLA shall:
* Identify appropriate national championship locations throughout the United States, based upon basic requirements needed to run the event (near airports, adequate onsite or nearby accommodations, parking, wide beaches, good potential surf conditions, piers or other avenues for spectators and advertising, restaurants, etc). * Seek major sponsors and establish contracts to provide event funding * Train and maintain a Corp of Officials. Provide re-qualification training regularly. * Provide the officials to run the championship event (see notes below). * Provide the additional staff necessary to run a successful event (including those for registration, results, treasury, awards, etc.). * Maintain insurance needed for National Championships and add the host agency, chapter or municipality each year as additional covered * Provide all equipment and miscellaneous items needed to run the event: - water and beach course equipment - staging and sound system rentals - computers and printers for registration - miscellaneous items: megaphones, whistles, clipboards, finish sticks, pens, paper, etc. * Provide food, drinks, shade, etc for the officials and sponsors. * Provide water (and ice as needed) for the athletes. * Provide uniforms for the officials and an event T-shirt for competitors. * Provide awards medals for Lifeguard competitors, medals and ribbons for Junior competitors, and trophies for team awards. * Provide website for information, advertising, registration. * Provide posters, banners, programs, and other event display. * Provide event-specific gear/clothing with USLA Nationals branding. * Handle all event advertising.
The Host Chapter/Agency shall:
* Pull all necessary or required permits needed to hold the event at the selected beach. * Determine insurance needs required for permits; provide info to USLA. * Hire the pre-determined number of lifeguards necessary to provide water and beach safety for the 4-day event. * Assign at least two boats, PWCs or other suitable crafts with appropriate crew for the duration of the event; the craft will set the courses and then provide a platform for water judges. * Provide a pre-determined number of volunteers and/or paid guards to assist the USLA officials and staff (runners, awards tables, recorders tables, etc). Will be offset by Masters Competitors who can volunteer. * Provide T-shirt or other uniform for all the volunteer/paid staff members. * Provide walkie-talkies or other radios for event communications * Provide vehicles for equipment and surfboat transportation onto sand * Seek local (small) sponsors for the event; such sponsors would pay a fee to have a booth at the event and show/sell their goods, product, or business (designated % of booth fee would go to USLA and the rest would help host pay for t-shirts and other necessities).
As part of the re-organization:
* The USLA shall receive all event sponsorship monies. * The USLA shall receive all competitor registration fees. * The USLA shall receive all donations or any other miscellaneous income. * The USLA shall receive all advertising or TV royalties generated. * The USLA shall receive a pre-determined portion of any income derived from local sponsors who have a booth at the event (example 25%). * The USLA shall pay the host chapter/agency $2000 for the privilege of using the host’s beach. This amount is a minimum and is due at the conclusion of the event; amount shall be increased as the earnings from the National Championships increase. * The host chapter/agency shall not have any fiduciary responsibility for the USLA National Championship event except that which would be required to provide the items and personnel listed above. Note: providing the required personnel, vehicles and craft will often be an extreme financial burden for smaller chapters or agencies and the fee paid by the USLA may need to be increased for an event to be held at the desired location
IMPLEMENTATION:
In order to accomplish this re-organization in a successful manner, many ideas must be explored and examined. At a minimum, the following suggestions are made:
1. Raise the fee to race at the National Lifeguard Championships
An increase in the competition race fees could raise the registration income to over $30,000.00 or more (depending upon the total number of competitors and when they register). The current race fee for the USLA’s premier national event is far less than the fee to race at other such premier competitive ocean events (triathlons, surf contests, stand-up paddle events, etc). It is absolutely time to raise the USLA National Championship event fee.
The following is a suggestion for increasing the competition fee.
$10.00 Junior Guards (mandatory fee to cover expenses) $50.00 Lifeguards Early registration before July 15th $75.00 Lifeguards Late registration between 7/16 & 7/31 ***NO registration from August 1st until onsite registration opens*** $95.00 Lifeguards Onsite registration
2. Acquire a marketing agent to gain sponsorship money and do fundraising for the event.
This process has begun with the 2009-10 contract with the Issac Sports Group.
3. Designate a maximum number of officials from each region to receive a pre-determined stipend as compensation to officiate at the USLA National Championships.
In the interest of developing new officials, all interested persons would be encouraged to attend, but they would not receive stipends toward their travel expenses from the USLA (perhaps from their regions if available). Only the established Corp of Officials would be compensated. If a region did not field the maximum number of officials they were permitted, the Competition Chair could divert the remaining stipends to additional officials from other regions (example: if only 4 officials from SW travel to MA event, the Chair could pay 8 MA officials & 6 SA officials).
Officials Breakdown: MA – 6 SA – 4 GC – 2 NW – 2 SW – 6 SE – 4 GL – 2 PI – 2 1 each : Registrar, Treasurer, Results Official, Awards Official
Total Corp of Officials receiving travel stipend = 32 The stipend each Official receives should be pre-determined using a standard formula which could be applied wherever the National Championships are held.
Stipend Suggestion:
Local Officials (from host region): No travel expenses, $50 stipend total for 4 days (should not need accommodations, but if so, increase stipend as appropriate) Regional Officials (from nearby regions): $400 travel expenses (flight and shared accommodations) Regional Officials (from GC & GL): $500 travel expenses (flight and shared accommodations) Cross-country or Island Officials: $600 travel expenses (flight and shared accommodations Amounts based on $120/night hotels shared by 2 officials for 5 nights = $300 each for room and remaining amount towards airfare or ground transportation depending upon distance traveling
Obviously, these stipends may not cover the entire Officials’ expenses, but should considerably offset the burden of travel costs to officiate at the Nationals. Officials shall receive uniforms, daily lunch and refreshments, and at least one dinner as well.
In addition to providing training and regular re-qualifications to the Corp of Officials, the USLA shall develop a template for the requirements of lifeguards who will be working as water safety at the National event. There should be specific directions for the duties expected and the staging required for each event of Junior Lifeguard Nationals, Masters Nationals, Lifeguard Preliminary Heats, and Lifeguard Nationals so that the host agency or chapter can properly place their rescue vessels and their personnel for maximum safety and effectiveness.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The USLA Competition Committee currently has requested and received $14,000 per fiscal year ($28,000 every 2 years) to fund the USLA National Team to travel to the World Lifesaving Championships at its designated locations.
While it is agreed that our most elite team of athletes and their coaches/manager need to be supported to attend the ILS Worlds, it seems that there is a disproportionate amount of money set aside for a team of 15-20 USLA members to travel every other year. The annual USLA Lifeguard National Championships, the USLA’s most premier home event which regularly sees in excess of 400 Lifeguard members and at least 400 Junior Lifeguard members in attendance from throughout the nation, has no specific funding available at all. It seems almost inherently obvious that this should be changed.
It should be the goal of the USLA to primarily seek corporate sponsorship to fund the travel expenses of its National Team. This is no different that the US Olympic Team, which we seek to emulate, and all the other “professional” athletic organizations. Naturally if the entire expense is not offset by corporate sponsorship, the USLA Competition Committee could seek additional funding from the USLA treasury. Additionally, it is recommended that the National Team athletes bear some financial responsibility to travel to the Worlds, in order to maintain their commitment to training and preparation and ensure their attendance at the event. A small stipend required from each athlete should be established (i.e. $200).
The current Competition Committee request should be reset to place $10,000 per year into a liability for the USLA National Lifeguard Championships. The remaining $4,000 per year currently established could be set aside for various international events, including the Sanyo Bussan Challenge and the International Surf Rescue Challenge as well as the Worlds (Rescue 2010, 2012, etc). Both of these budgeted amounts should gradually increase as USLA income increases.
The annual $10,000 Nationals liability, in addition to the $30,000+ in registration fees, establishes a minimum working budget of $40,000 to fund the USLA National Lifeguard Championships. Naturally, additional monies would have to be sought from sponsors and/or donors in order to fully fund the event. This would be the role of a marketing agent such as the Issac Sports Group.
The future of the United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships depends upon a re-organization which rightly places the fiscal responsibility for holding the annual event on the parent organization. The USLA is the national body with connections to NOAA, CDC, YMCA, American Red Cross, and other recognized national bodies. As such only the USLA is in a position to gain ongoing large-scale corporate sponsorship for its many endeavors, including the National Championships. It is unreasonable and unfair to expect small chapters of lifeguards throughout the nation to bear the financial responsibility of hosting a national event such as our Championships. It is also unfair to ask chapters with somewhat better financing to repeatedly host the event due to the inability of any other locations to do so. The time has come for the USLA to become the host of the National Lifeguard Championships. United States Lifesaving Association Heroic Acts/Recognition, Awards, and Presentations Committee Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Committee Chair: Adrienne Groh
Introduction I have finally completed nursing school and am getting back to the work of the Association. I appreciate all those who have stepped up to fill the gap created by my absence. Thank you to all of you. It will be great to see all of you in Galveston. I owe so much gratitude to Bill R and Nikki B for carrying me through all of this!
A. Activities and Accomplishments (since Williamsburg Board of Directors Meeting) 1. Received submissions that were discussed in committee. 2. Completed Citations and Medals of Valor for the following: James Nothelfer of California State Parks Timothy Fellars of California State Parks Nate Buck of California State Parks 3. Completed and distributed Heroic Acts Certificates for the following: Greg Wright, Southwest Region (non-lifeguard) Jesse Toby, Southeast Region (non-open water lifeguard) Jose Gonzales, Southeast Region (non-lifeguard) Dr. Steven Nicholas, Mid-Atlantic Region (non-lifeguard) Joseph Spatz, Mid-Atlantic Region (non-lifeguard) 4. Completed and distributed a National Lifesaving Certificate to: Charleston County Lifeguards 5. We look forward to presenting the following awards at the Galveston meeting: National Lifesaving Award - Galveston Island Beach Patrol Heroic Acts Certificates to individual members of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol
B. Issues for Discussion and/or Resolution (at this Meeting) 1. Review of award submissions from Regions. 2. General discussion and review of awards program. 3. Medal of Valor costs 4. Submissions
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Junior Lifeguard Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Committee Chair: Reenie Boyer Committee Members: NE – No Participation MA – Denise Blair (Secretary), Tom Daly (Lead Official), Charlie Hartl, Bill Oat GL – Andrew Braudy NW – David Robinson SA – Ron Watson GC – Tony Pryor SE – Bob West SW – Charlotte Graham, Jon Mitchell (Junior Jam Editor) PI – Kalani Vierra Introduction
The USLA Junior Lifeguard Programs are in preparation for a safe and successful 2010 season.
Discussion Items: (At This Meeting)
1. JG Contest – We will review the 2010 contest ruler during our Committee meeting.
2. JG National Competition – During our Committee meeting we will receive an update on the 2010 event.
3. Junior Jam Publication – Please your articles and pictures by e-mail for the next Junior Jam section of the American Lifeguard Magazine. Looking for a volunteer to be the new Junior Jam editor.
4. USLA JG Program – At our Committee meeting we decide on our new goals objectives for this new term.
5. USLA JG Logo – Our JG Logo is in the process of being trademarked by our USLA President.
6. Junior Lifeguard USLA Membership – We will review registration guidelines and fees.
7. Round Table -
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Galveston, TX Committee Chair: Charlotte Graham Committee Co-chair: Charlie Hartl Committee Members: GC: Peter Davis GL: Joe Pecoraro MA: Denise Blair NE: vacant NW: Bert Whitaker PI: Ralph Goto SA: Mickey Hutto SE: Joe McManus SW: Robert Moore
Introduction I am very pleased to be the new Chair of the USLA Membership Committee and look forward to continuing the great work and progress made by our outgoing Chair Charlie Hartl. I am grateful for his generous pledge to continue to assist me with this committee and it is not without some anxiety that I accept such a demanding position in our organization. I am eager to continue the expansion of our Association membership and look forward to working with all the Membership reps throughout our Regions.
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting) 1. Efforts to improve our current web-based membership program (Interfuse) continue, and the majority of the functions are now running well or accessible for use. 2. Have been working closely with Charlie Hartl and with Glen Suchecki of Uniserv, our membership processing company, to transition into my new position. 3. Completed the order for the membership bags and submitted artwork for the embroidered LG patch; forwarded artwork for the Junior Guard bumper sticker from the JG Committee 2009 winning artwork 4. Have been assisting President Brewster in his efforts to upgrade the USLA website by participating in webinars and offering membership-specific advice and information. This is due to the intended goal of the website upgrade to continue our current web-based membership sign-up and access, as well as potentially integrating our full membership database into the new system. 5. The 2010 USLA membership kit will include the following: personalized membership card, embroidered patch, new exterior window decal, and the embroidered barrel bag. Promo flyers with information on the DaFin and Hobie pro-deals will be included in the membership envelopes, and of course every member receives 3 issues of ALM with their membership. The Junior kit will include a membership card, bumper sticker, JG window decal and the Hobie pro-deal flyer. 6. The embroidered barrel bags are due to arrive at Uniserv around May 1st and will be shipped out to each region shortly after. Based upon the decision of the Membership Committee to cost-share this item unless sponsorship monies became available, and with no information on funding via the Issac Sports Group as of yet, the Chair contacted a representative from each Region regarding payment for this item. The Treasurer should expect a check from each Region for $3.00 per bag for their pre-determined share of the total order of 5000 bags. 7. A chart of the 2009-10 Membership totals is included on page 2.
Issues for Discussion and/or Resolution (at this Meeting) 1. Discuss recommendations from Regions as to clarification of Article V, Section 2A of the Bylaws regarding the definition of a Professional Member of the USLA (per Committee direction at Williamsburg meeting). 2. Discuss related topic of “dual” or multiple membership. 3. Discuss offer of Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefit from American Income Life Insurance. 4. Discuss the Website & Membership database upgrade and list desired features of any new system. 5. Explore ideas for 2010-11 Membership kit items.
Page 1 of 2
2009-2010 TOTAL USLA MEMBERSHIP
Total (Non-voting) Ass’t Junior Total TOTAL Alum Life Prof Perptl Voting Associate Junior Guard Junior MEMBERS Region Memb Memb Memb Memb Members Members Memb Memb Memb PER REGION GREAT LAKES 1 3 13 0 17 2 7 6 13 32 GULF COAST 1 1 86 0 88 0 1 93 94 182 MID-ATLANTIC 16 6 1217 0 1239 12 2 714 716 1967 NEW ENGLAND 1 0 11 0 12 1 0 0 0 13 NORTHWEST 0 0 57 0 57 5 0 0 0 62 PACIFIC ISLANDS 0 0 13 0 13 1 0 0 0 14 SOUTH ATLANTIC 2 1 784 0 787 2 0 85 85 874 SOUTHEAST 20 3 511 1 535 14 9 1040 1049 1598 SOUTHWEST 91 13 1145 0 1249 37 5 6709 6714 8000 TOTALS 132 27 3837 1 3997 74 24 8647 8671 12,756
Page 2 of 2 United States Lifesaving Association Public Education Committee Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Denise Blair
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Beach Safety Challenge Beach Safety Challenge will be held again this year. Participating agencies are asked to submit a written description of their events as well as pictures by July 15, 2010 to [email protected]. 2. Public Education Activity/Coloring Book The committee ordered 20,000 coloring books. Several agencies ordered coloring books at a cost of $0.25 per book to the agency. 3. Rip Current Banners The committee will order 10 additional retractable Rip Current Banners. The banners will be distributed to the regions. 4. Lifeguard Board Game
5. Red Cross Tear Sheets 6. Web Rangers
Page 1 of 1
DATE: 4/14/10
TO: NuMask, Inc.
FROM: Thomas A. Green / EMS Division Chief
SUBJECT: Product Review
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 477 VIKING DRIVE 757-385-1999 VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA FAX: 757-431-3019 23452 [email protected] Virginia Beach EMS received the Nu Mask CPR kit form one of our Marine Rescue Team Members and Lifeguard Supervisor in March of this year. We have evaluated the product in our training simulations on manikins and found it to be a good solution to the standard pocket mask. The device was cleverly packaged and easily fit in our personal gear pouch, pocket, and first responder bag. We like how gloves and wipes are included making this a complete CPR product. We would recommend to other agencies to give your product a strong look as one of their solutions to a great CPR / Airway device and solid performer in personal protection.
Sincerely,
Thomas A Green Division Chief Virginia Beach Department of EMS United States Lifesaving Association American Lifeguard Magazine Activity Report
Date: Spring 2010 Committee Chair: Michael S. Bartlett Committee Members: Charlie Hartl, Mike Beuerlein, Joe McManus, Phil Rogers, Andrew Healey, Jo Wagenhals, Peter Hartsock, Peter Davis, Jon Mitchell
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. The Winter 2010 Issue was completed and mailed out in early April. Extra copies will be available by special request only via my email [email protected]. I’ve had a very challenging winter as my father passed away in mid-November from a slip and fall accident. I want to personally thank all those who took the time out of their busy schedules to express their condolences in cards, emails and phone calls. For those who can relate to losing a parent, the experience really puts life in perspective and you certainly appreciate the value of family time as well as the comfort of the many friends within the lifesaving family who offered support. In other news, professionally, I stepped up to the role of President of the Huntington Beach Marine Safety Management Association and have been battling to keep lifeguards at our local Dog Beach where all lifeguards including routine patrols were eliminated (responding only to 911 water related emergencies). Mr. Beuerlein will be happy to share more with you later and he will be able to conduct business again in my absence. Please give ALM articles or photos to him or email me. He will conduct a meeting if necessary (no pending issues at this time). Bill Richardson will likely continue as the official meeting photographer for the ALM but I will continue to accept any other photos if submitted. 2. The regional editorial oversight of articles appears to be doing well. I allow Regional Presidents input on the ALM for a 5-day period prior to going to print. For the last two issues, there were no controversial items and very few errors. This process continues to create a little delay in production but has proven to be a valuable resource for cross referencing the facts with the Regional Presidents. 3. The $100 cover shot incentive for the Winter 2010 Issue was awarded to Kyle Lindo of Costa Mesa, CA, who obtained permission from Hurley to use the photo. He subsequently gave the money to the Hurley representative who shot it last summer at Huntington Beach during the US Open of Surfing. 4. Our membership continues to reap the benefits of reduced ALM printing costs combined with our non-profit mailing status reflecting a record low in per issue cost of $0.425 per issue! Total gross ad revenue was $7,115.00 nearly covering our printing costs! Despite the slumping economy, advertising revenue remains strong for the next year. Please see the attached ALM Budget for details on Budget vs. Actual Costs. Thanks to all those who contributed in the last issue. 5. The Spring Issue deadline for content is May 15. Printing and mailing deadline is June 15. 6. The ALM Budget for 2009/10 is included as a separate attachment and is based on 12,500 issues. If our membership totals change, the printing and mailing costs will change respectively. I will be sure to update the new numbers for the 2010-11 ALM Budget. 7. I had a good discussion with our new marketing promoter Stu Isaac regarding several key issues relating to our magazine. First, the ALM is the ONLY professional magazine for open water lifesavers. Second, my experience with advertisers is that most of them would likely NOT advertise in our magazine if it was solely in an electronic format, although they did appreciate the fact the ALM is available in perpetuity on our website. Three, due to our non-profit mailing status, we cannot Page 1 of 2 exceed 60% advertising in the ALM so essentially we do not need any help in generating new advertising for the next year. And, the ALM advertising nearly pays for the printing costs. Lastly, I told Stu that he had my support in an effort to capitalize on the synergies between the ALM, National Competitions, National Conferences, Website, etc. to strengthen our organization as a whole. We have been trying this concept for some time now without much success but I believe with a creative marketing plan, it will work. Giving sponsors options in a basket of advertising or marketing channels, should prove to be more lucrative in attracting higher end clients. The ALM certainly should be included in this basket the USLA could provide. Issues for Discussion and/or Resolution (At This Meeting)
1. No pending issues at this time.
Page 2 of 2 United States Lifesaving Association American Lifeguard Magazine Activity Report
Date: Spring 2010 Committee Chair: Michael S. Bartlett Committee Members: Charlie Hartl, Mike Beuerlein, Joe McManus, Phil Rogers, Andrew Healey, Jo Wagenhals, Peter Hartsock, Peter Davis, Jon Mitchell
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. The Winter 2010 Issue was completed and mailed out in early April. Extra copies will be available by special request only via my email [email protected]. I’ve had a very challenging winter as my father passed away in mid-November from a slip and fall accident. I want to personally thank all those who took the time out of their busy schedules to express their condolences in cards, emails and phone calls. For those who can relate to losing a parent, the experience really puts life in perspective and you certainly appreciate the value of family time as well as the comfort of the many friends within the lifesaving family who offered support. In other news, professionally, I stepped up to the role of President of the Huntington Beach Marine Safety Management Association and have been battling to keep lifeguards at our local Dog Beach where all lifeguards including routine patrols were eliminated (responding only to 911 water related emergencies). Mr. Beuerlein will be happy to share more with you later and he will be able to conduct business again in my absence. Please give ALM articles or photos to him or email me. He will conduct a meeting if necessary (no pending issues at this time). Bill Richardson will likely continue as the official meeting photographer for the ALM but I will continue to accept any other photos if submitted. 2. The regional editorial oversight of articles appears to be doing well. I allow Regional Presidents input on the ALM for a 5-day period prior to going to print. For the last two issues, there were no controversial items and very few errors. This process continues to create a little delay in production but has proven to be a valuable resource for cross referencing the facts with the Regional Presidents. 3. The $100 cover shot incentive for the Winter 2010 Issue was awarded to Kyle Lindo of Costa Mesa, CA, who obtained permission from Hurley to use the photo. He subsequently gave the money to the Hurley representative who shot it last summer at Huntington Beach during the US Open of Surfing. 4. Our membership continues to reap the benefits of reduced ALM printing costs combined with our non-profit mailing status reflecting a record low in per issue cost of $0.425 per issue! Total gross ad revenue was $7,115.00 nearly covering our printing costs! Despite the slumping economy, advertising revenue remains strong for the next year. Please see the attached ALM Budget for details on Budget vs. Actual Costs. Thanks to all those who contributed in the last issue. 5. The Spring Issue deadline for content is May 15. Printing and mailing deadline is June 15. 6. The ALM Budget for 2009/10 is included as a separate attachment and is based on 12,500 issues. If our membership totals change, the printing and mailing costs will change respectively. I will be sure to update the new numbers for the 2010-11 ALM Budget. 7. I had a good discussion with our new marketing promoter Stu Isaac regarding several key issues relating to our magazine. First, the ALM is the ONLY professional magazine for open water lifesavers. Second, my experience with advertisers is that most of them would likely NOT advertise in our magazine if it was solely in an electronic format, although they did appreciate the fact the ALM is available in perpetuity on our website. Three, due to our non-profit mailing status, we cannot Page 1 of 2 exceed 60% advertising in the ALM so essentially we do not need any help in generating new advertising for the next year. And, the ALM advertising nearly pays for the printing costs. Lastly, I told Stu that he had my support in an effort to capitalize on the synergies between the ALM, National Competitions, National Conferences, Website, etc. to strengthen our organization as a whole. We have been trying this concept for some time now without much success but I believe with a creative marketing plan, it will work. Giving sponsors options in a basket of advertising or marketing channels, should prove to be more lucrative in attracting higher end clients. The ALM certainly should be included in this basket the USLA could provide. Issues for Discussion and/or Resolution (At This Meeting)
1. No pending issues at this time.
Page 2 of 2 2009-2010 ALM Projected Per Issue Budget (Printing & Mailing Costs) EXPENSES Per Issue Printing 12,500 issues (20 COLOR pages + 16 B&W) $ 7,527.00 $0.602 each Alternations to proof (scanning/design) $ 250.00 Mailing @ $0.30 per magazine (est. per zip code) $ 3,750.00 Mailing Services (printing addresses) $ 1,000.00 Cover Shot Incentive $ 100.00 RoadRunner High Speed ISP (Mike Bartlett) $ 120.00 Graphics & Design (Jennifer Velasquez $30 x 30 hrs.) $ 1,000.00 $ 13,747.00 ALM Annual Budget Allocation ($60,000) $ 41,241.00 3 issues per year REVENUE w/o ads Advertising (estimated target) $ 5,333.33 $ 5,333.33 $ 16,000.00 Est. Annual Income TOTAL PROJECTED COST PER ISSUE $8,413.67 $0.673 each $ 25,241.00 Annual Projection
Actual Per Issue Cost EXPENSES Winter 2010 Printing 13,185 issues (20 Color + 16 B&W) $ 8,047.00 Alterations to proof $ - Mailing @ $0.295 per magazine $ 3,040.86 Mailing Services $ 652.00 Office (cover shot, stamps, misc. items) $ 100.00 Graphics & Design ($30/hr.) $ 875.44 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 12,715.30
REVENUE (advertising) $ 7,115.00 TOTAL ACTUAL (minus revenue) $ 5,600.30 $0.425 each 1-Ad commissions for Editor vary from 0-30% (contract origination);only paid when ad is paid in full 2-Ad revenue shows maximum billing total (may vary depending on billing cycle & ability to collect debt) 3-Printing totals increased due to membership mailing list problem (last issue was at 12,500) 4-Dramatic decrease in printing costs due to deflationary competitive bidding/renegotiation and paper size reduction 5-If there are any discrepanies, please refer to the USLA Treasurer's Report for exact numbers to date United States Lifesaving Association Sign Standards Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Officer: Ralph S. Goto
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Sign Standards Committee chair has responded to five (5) requests for warning sign design templates from agencies across the United States. Recommendations for Committee and/or Board Consideration
1. Approve attached Rip Current Warning Sign
Page 1 of 4 Attachments
Page 2 of 4 1. Page 3 of 4
Page 4 of 4
UNITED STATES LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION
National Lifesaving Statistics Report 2009
Since it’s inception as the National Surf Life Saving Association in 1964, the chapters and agencies involved in lifesaving efforts in the United States have endeavored to record the activity performed by their lifeguards. These records have been compiled in a statistical format to record the various categories of activity performed by these agencies. The Association, now known as the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), has published this information for many years for several purposes. The main function is to educate the public about the profession of lifesaving. The statistics also serve to highlight particular professional areas of interest, provide tools in agency budget development, and further the knowledge base about the open water environment. This report highlights the 2009 statistics of the USLA. Complete records of USLA statistics dating to 1960 may be downloaded from USLA's Website at www.usla.org.
The United States Lifesaving Association
The United States Lifesaving Association is a non-profit, professional organization of lifeguards who work at open water beaches (both surf and inland). Members are organized into chapters, which are generally formed by reason of a common employer of the member lifeguards. Since this is not a union, membership extends to all ranks of lifeguards and there is strong participation from management level employees through line lifeguards. Open water lifeguard agencies, most of which are governmental bodies, participate in USLA through their employees and benefit through various means, such as promulgation of public safety material, collection and dissemination of statistics, development of lifeguard educational material, and the USLA Lifeguard Agency Certification Program.
Beaches, Collection and Categories
The USLA collects lifesaving statistics for all beaches affiliated agencies and also accepts reports from other ocean beaches indirectly associated with the USLA. The collection efforts date to 1960 and for much of the first twenty years, focused exclusively on California beaches, especially the greater Los Angeles area. In the late 1980's, collection efforts began in earnest for the entire United States. This reporting system reflects more than twenty years of active national statistics collection, with a gradual progression from a west coast based report to the more national look presented here. USLA now reports lifesaving statistics from nine geographical regions of its organization. Typically, approximately 85 or more agencies/beaches report each year. These include most of the major United States beach lifeguard agencies such as Los Angeles County, State of California, Cities of San Diego and Huntington Beach, California, City and County of Honolulu, Volusia County and Ft Lauderdale, Florida, and Long Beach and Cape May, New Jersey.
USLA National Statistics Report 2009 as of 4/24/2010 1 2009 National Lifesaving Statistics
Beach Attendance 287,367,936 Rescues Total 72,575 Rip 32,214 Surf 6,897 Swift 294 Scuba 948 Cliff Rescue 84 Boat Rescues Rescues 3,182 Passengers 7,164 Value $ 80,889,315 Boat Assists Rescues 5,027 Passengers 10,518 Value $ 69,758,563 Preventive Actions 5,594,744 Medical Aids Total 241,714 Major 12,139 Minor 229,575 Drowning Deaths (Unguarded) Total 87 Rip 25 Surf 4 Scuba 1 Drop-Off 1 Alc/Drugs 4 Ability 17 Floatation 0 Other 8 Drowning Deaths (Guarded) Total 19 Rip 4 Surf 4 Scuba 0 Drop-Off 1 Alc/Drugs 0 Ability 3 Floatation 0 Other 4 Other Fatalities 49 Enforcements Warnings 1,129,746 Boat/PWC 22,725 Citations 5,655 Arrests 1,006 Lost/Found Persons 13,110 Public Education Lectures 10,215 Students 255,203
Table 1
The 2009 statistics report shows general increases in most categories. While there is a slight increase in reporting agencies from last year, several larger agencies from California have not yet reported and the categories should again rise in comparison to 2008. Anecdotally, several reporting agencies are attributing the increase to the effects of the economy and ‘staycations.’
USLA National Statistics Report 2009 as of 4/24/2010 2 At the time of the writing of this report, 99 agencies are providing their statistics. In 2007, USLA saw the largest number of reporting agencies in the history of the USLA statistics at 109, and the reporting agencies should exceed 100 again this year. Rescues appear to be in line with current trends as do Preventive Actions. Medical aids are one of the few categories showing a decline. Lost Persons are up substantially again after a decline in 2008.
Significant to the reports this year is primary cause reporting for Drowning Death. Among the most frequent questions or requests USLA receives from media and academic sources are requests for such information. This report details the sixth year of reports. Caution should be taken in reviewing this information. First, it represents only data that the agency reports. In some cases, the agency has declined to offer a primary cause. Second, it will take at least ten years to establish data for potential analysis.
Five Year Comparison
Category 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Beach Attendance 256,763,571 245,838,965 281,422,622 274,972,679 287,367,936
Rescues 52,110 64,469 74,463 71,981 72,575
Preventive Actions 3,899,915 4,227,303 4,916,770 4,467,505 5,594,744
Medical Aids 223,521 204,631 252,202 272,148 241,714
Boat Rescues 2,425 4,610 4,042 3,875 3,182
Passengers 3,729 3,879 9,203 8,864 7,164
Vessel Value $78,261,601 $64,857,530 $145,023,860 $73,285,155 $80,889,315
Drowning Deaths 83 100 109 101 106
Drowning Deaths (Unguarded) 71 89 89 83 87
Drowning Deaths (Guarded) 12 11 20 18 19
Lost And Found Persons 9,535 9,691 16,729 10,423 13,110
Public Safety Lectures 7,554 10,801 22,184 9,267 10,215
Students Attending 314,002 582,776 448,316 321,700 255,203
Reporting Agencies 88 85 109 98 99
Table 2
Beach activity levels show little change in such areas as Drowning Death, where totals and percentages have remained stable over the last ten years. While the total number has decreased from 2007, the ratio of guarded to unguarded remains relatively stable. Following a
USLA National Statistics Report 2009 as of 4/24/2010 3 predictable pattern, the number of guarded drowning deaths remained small and the ratio between unguarded and guarded has remained relatively stable for over ten years.
The National Statistics Coordinator cautions that the 2009 statistics must be viewed carefully if any long term trend analysis or forecasting is contemplated. This report comprises the totals from beaches in each of the USLA's regional councils. In 1997, the USLA received reports from 105 beaches and 92 in 1998. This year, the total number of reporting beaches has increased again from the last few years to 99, up from from 85 in 2006, but off the 109 from last year. Stronger accountability in relation to the USLA Lifeguard Agency Certification program, discussed below, accounts for the increase. As such, representative samples should be taken on an agency to agency comparative model, or on a long term model for national numbers for any forecasting or trend analysis.
Primary Causes of Rescues
Using the data developed in 1994-2004 the USLA has identified the Primary Cause of Rescue to be predominately from Rip Currents. The data developed has been analyzed in several ways. First, from the perspective of all reporting agencies, the data provided indicates rip currents account for roughly 45% of all rescues performed by the USLA. However, this analysis must be adjusted for environmental conditions. First, the data includes reports from agencies that operate open water/lake beaches without these conditions. Second, several of the reporting agencies were unable to redesign their reporting procedures to identify all of the causes. Thus, well over 20,000 rescues are not attributed to cause and thus classified in the analysis as 'other.' USLA is encouraging agencies to begin to carefully collect this data in the future.
In order to compensate for these conditions, the data was evaluated to identify the agencies that should be included in the primary cause analysis, which would be those situated on surf beaches. This analysis finds the predominant cause of rescues again to be rip currents, exceeding 82% of all rescues. California beaches recorded a more significant percentage for rip currents and the percentage rose in 1998 to 90.12%.
Links to National Certification System
The USLA has linked the national statistics reporting system to the Lifeguard Agency Certification program. First, all agencies that are certified by USLA are required to submit their agency activity annually in order to maintain certification in good standing. Second, the Certification program distributes statistics notices to all identified agencies each winter to assist in statistics collection. This relationship has been highly beneficial, with a number of non-USLA chapter reports included in the 2008 statistics. This year’s reports identify 99 agencies to date and it is not hard to speculate that full reporting by Chapters and certified agencies could result in recording over 100,000 rescues annually. For example, over 50 agencies along the Atlantic seaboard and Chicago, which generally recorded more than five thousand rescues annually, have reported in the past, but failed to do so this year.
USLA National Statistics Report 2009 as of 4/24/2010 4 United States Lifesaving Association
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 24, 2010
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Rick Gould, National Statistics Coordinator
SUBJECT: National Lifesaving Statistic Delinquent Agencies as of 4/23/2010
Pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, please find below the list of currently certified agencies in the Lifeguard Agency Certification Program who have not submitted their required statistics for 2010. I have attempted to communicate with all of the agencies to inform them of the duty to report.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Aloha Surf Lifesaving, HI ARCVLSC/Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue, FL Cape May Beach Patrol, NJ Deerfield Beach, FL Hawaii (County of), HI Imperial Beach (City of) Lifeguard Service, CA Jacksonville (City of) Dept. of Parks and Rec., FL Los Angeles (City of) Aquatics Division, CA Maui County, HI Mauna Kea Beach Resort, HI Martin County Emergency Services, FL Neptune Beach, FL North Island Lifeguard Service, San Diego, CA Oceanside, CA Pompano Beach Ocean Rescue, FL San Francisco Fire Dept. ARRT, CA Sarasota County Lifeguards, FL Sea Girt Beach Patrol, NJ Seal Beach (City of) Lifeguard Dept., CA
United States Lifesaving Association Website Committee Activity Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Committee Chair: Rob Williams Committee Members: Working Group Committee – Members at large
Introduction
It has been my pleasure to take over the website committee duties. It has been a challenge to keep pace with today’s technology and user needs. We realize that the website needs a complete overhaul and it is the committee’s goal to accomplish this very soon.
Activities and Accomplishments (Since Prior Board of Directors Meeting)
1. Update website emails to new USLA Officers and Regional Officers. 2. Work with host to update specific pages. 3. Worked with USLA President and Membership Committee to find proposals on new web host, which would be inclusive of Member Database and new web design. Issues for Discussion and/or Resolution (At This Meeting)
1. Website proposal/memorandum from USLA President Attachments
1. USLA President Memorandum
Page 1 of 1 UNITED STATES LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: April 2, 2010
TO: Rob Williams, Treasurer Charlotte Graham, Membership Chair Charlie Hartl, Executive Delegate
FROM: B. Chris Brewster
SUBJ: USLA Website Upgrade Options
This memorandum is intended to provide some options for consideration in upgrading the USLA’s website. It is based on input from each of you, a review of various articles, participation in three webinars, a review of the websites of the companies, and extensive follow-up with three companies.
BACKGROUND
Many years ago, the Board of Directors agreed to allow me to create a website for the USLA. It was one of the first websites for associations and seemingly appreciated by our members. It was custom designed, which allowed us to be very specific in the design, but which also required (and requires) a fee for any changes. That website is now understandably considered archaic in web terms, especially for an association wishing to encourage membership and participation by members. The fee based change model also discourages regular updating, and we are of course constrained by any limits on the expertise of our provider. Compared to other organizations, aspects of member relations, in particular, seem to be holding us back from meeting our full potential. However, our funds and resources are limited in designing a new, custom site.
In doing the background work for this memorandum, I began with the following basic assumptions.
Goals
1) Maintain the current offerings on our website, but upgrade the look and feel. 2) Allow the website to be regularly updated inexpensively or free, ideally by a non- technical volunteer or volunteers (including the Secretary and various committee chairs). 3) Allow integration of membership sign-up and access, so that members can sign-up online, update their profiles online, be electronically reminded when membership is to expire, and have access to password protected areas as a member. 4) Integrate our member database and collect demographic information that can be used in sponsorship pitches. 5) Allow for event registration (versus scoring), which could include meetings and seminars, for example.
I have included some more detailed desired features in Attachment 1, based on your collaborative input.
It seems clear that there are two primary options in proceeding. One is to contract with a company to create a new custom website. This is what we did initially and we remain with the original contractor. This approach was trendsetting at the beginning, but our website is now dated. We could clearly select a new contractor. However, using this approach would likely mean that we would pay for each new feature we might like or adjustments thereto, even though many of the features we would want are common to many other associations.
The second option is to go with a provider of association management software and services that would offer most of what we desire at a pre-determined cost, allowing us to handle most of the updates ourselves, accepting that some features we desire may simply be unavailable. The relative benefits of custom versus off-the-shelf can be found through this hyperlink, if you are reading this memorandum electronically, or on the website of www.internet4associations.com. Please recognize that this is a biased presentation from one of the evaluated companies.
A third option is a blend of the above. In that option, we would use an off-the-shelf system, but continue to use customized approaches for specific needs that the system cannot handle. The advantage here would be less cost, overall, but leaves the door open for customizing in cases that the overall system doesn’t meet each of our needs. An example of this might be our agency statistics, which may be too complex and customized for a standardized system.
There are a number of options available. Two articles proved particularly helpful to my review:
http://www.idealware.org/articles/fgt_ams.php http://www.idealware.org/articles/low_cost_integrated.php
Some of the options noted in the aforementioned articles are aimed at specific groups with a focus inconsistent with ours. For example, Democracy in Action (democracyinaction.org) is targeted at advocacy groups, so its features are skewed in that direction. Another example is Network for Good's Donor Management Suite (groundspring.org/services/dms.cfm), which is aimed at donor management.
EVALUATION PROCESS
In total, I reviewed 18 options. Once I narrowed the focus to five of these sites, I participated in three interactive webinars, ranging in length from 1 – 1½ hours. Since each offers a wide range of features, which are difficult to compare directly, I assembled a table of the major features, and sent these tables to each of three of the companies. I asked each one to fill them out and return them, which they did. That comparison of costs and features can be found in Attachment 2. This is probably the most useful part of this memorandum.
It is important to note that the systems outlined in these articles and referenced in this memorandum are primarily association management solutions. They are not primarily aimed at
2 website hosting, although those I have called out below allow for building web pages. Since we are an association of members and want to try to serve, manage, and increase membership, as well as encourage donations, this aspect is potentially enormously valuable. Some associations would use these features and have their own separate websites, to which these features would be a “plug-in.” However, the options highlighted in this memorandum allow us to both host our website and offer integrated member/donor relationships. Each option offers standard templates or allows us to design a custom look and feel.
Each of these systems involves a fully integrated database. A member can sign-up, pay online, make changes to member data as appropriate (e.g. address), renew, etc. We can send reminders for membership sign-up, override the system to sign up members, etc. In some cases, described later, memberships can be set up to automatically remind members or even automatically renew members. This could greatly ease the burden and reliance on chapters for recruiting and encouraging members to renew, as the system could automatically perform some or all of this. Depending on how we proceed, we could decide to eliminate the current fixed membership year concept and simply make people a member for 12 months (maybe with a grace period), from the time of payment. (This would require a change in our membership card printing.) In this case, the member would then control the membership year, as is typical for many associations.
Each system allows for the creation of custom forms to allow for event sign-up. In the simplest example, Board of Directors meeting forms could easily be created to allow individuals interested to sign up and pay online for various options (e.g. meals), to pay only for the educational conference, etc. Also, we can require, if we wish, that people be members to do this. In a more complex example, we can arrange registration for the Nationals, requiring people to first log-in, thus demonstrating that they are a member before signing up, and also that they are an appropriate class of member to participate. This signup database can be exported to the scoring system we already own. An added bonus is that the regions could use the system for their event sign-ups (competition and meetings/seminars) and that would have no additional cost.
Each option allows us to create pages at will and at no additional cost, in a fairly simplified what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) process. This would allow, for example, the Public Education Committee to add or modify pages as desired, subject to approval of the administrator.
Some providers allow levels of access, which restrict certain pages to members at certain levels. For example, we could create forums, but decide that only professional members and alumni members can post messages on the forums. (We could also have pages that only members of the Board of Directors could see, to upload materials or share information via blogs.) This has the potential of creating member value, by allowing only USLA members to view certain pages and information. An example might be the current Job Bulletin Board, where we could require, at minimum, Associate Member level (open to anyone), to view the BB, or even a website access fee. This would force non-members to pay a fee to read job offerings.
These sites can be used for ecommerce, allowing us to sell items from the site. This feature may or many not be desirable, but several of the offerings allow the collection of sales tax, shipping, etc. In any case, this feature would be good for event sign-ups, as previously explained.
3 All of the options allow for some form of email blasts to members, in some cases standard newsletters and the like. It appears that they can be targeted, for example, to professional members only, juniors only, or to a given chapter only.
Some options include the possibility of subgroups. This could allow, for example, all the members of Chapter X to all see each other (their fellow members) and to see information on what is going on. The chapter leader, in the case of one provider, could upload information about upcoming events. This could allow creation of de facto mini-websites by chapters without them, again creating member (and chapter) value, and helping chapters in their recruiting.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The top five options for us appeared to me to be the following:
Wild Apricot – Cost: $2,160/yr. Comments: This is perhaps the cheapest, simplest, and easiest to use of all the solutions. However, it is aimed at somewhat smaller organizations and has a database limit of 15,000. (They advise that you can go beyond the limit, but the database will slow down.) Its blast email capabilities appear to be limited and it is a bit unclear how chapters would interrelate. Its website content management tool is strong.
Internet4Associations – Cost $4,435/yr. Comments: This is a much more robust system, able to handle a larger database, and includes a variety of additional, valuable options. A concern about this one is the add-on costs for support and assistance. A value of this one is the ability to integrate our existing, highly valued, statistics page, for a set-up fee.
Z2 Neon – Cost $4,788/yr. Comments: This system appears to be much more customize- able, but a somewhat more wonky interface. It appears to me that we get more flexibility, at the price of a bit more complication. I may have been tired of webinars when I got to this one, but I found it a bit confusing.
Your Membership – Cost $5,995/yr. Comments: While seemingly more expensive, many features that have a cost in the two prior examples are included here. This has a very intuitive approach. A particular strength is the interrelationships of the members it allows, including unlimited local chapter mini websites and monitoring, as well as connections to Facebook and Linked-in. A downside is that they do not seem to be able to have any way to recreate our statistics page, so we would need to arrange a custom solution at a cost. A resource list, including a recorded webinar can be found here: http://www.yourmembership.com/resources/
Affiniscape – Cost $9,500/yr plus, setup fee $7,000 (est.) This is a more customized solution that would avoid some of the off-the-shelf limitations. It is unclear from their website what they might charge for the features we desire and it seemed out of our price- range, so I have only included it as a possibility in case the preceding seem too limiting.
My opinion is that any of these would represent a substantial improvement to our present site and that we should move forward expeditiously. Each of them does offer some method whereby we
4 could pay a fee for a transfer from our existing site, which we might well wish to consider, as we have only so much time. Alternatively, one or more of us could do the work at no cost. After that transfer, we should be able to do most of the work ourselves, but we will need to candidly evaluate who will have the time and skills to oversee this. We would probably wish to start with limited access, then figure out how to allow further access.
I realize that these costs may seem high to some, however, I have a feeling that this approach could substantially improve our membership numbers. We would not need to rely anywhere near as much on local chapter recruiting, which would lessen the burden on chapters and likely increase member sign-up and retention, perhaps even after lifeguards move on to other professions (i.e. become lifeguard alumni). The creation of password protected areas on the site, restricted to members, could encourage membership. Offering local chapter sites, or at least the ability to see others who are in your chapter, could increase interest. Annual reminders, similar to other membership organizations, would target members individually and remind them to renew.
Our administrative headaches would decline substantially, since most members would enter and update their own data. Overall, we would likely be perceived as a much more professional membership organization.
The features in some of these programs, if we had them custom designed, would cost far more. Each system mentioned that as they add features, they typically include them at no additional cost. Z2Neon, for example, said that if a customer asks for a custom application, they are charged for it, but if it looks like it would have broad appeal, they then offer it to everyone as an added feature at no cost.
I propose that you review this memorandum and attachments, particularly Attachment II. (Please pay close attention to the footnotes, as they clarify a number of issues.) I suggest that we then consider jointly participating in webinars for all three, or at least the top two. My perception of them and yours may well be different. Each webinar is one hour long and would allow us to jointly review all this information and collaboratively ask questions. Obviously I have participated in webinars for all three, and Charlie in one, but I think it is worth the time for me to hear them again. In the case of Your Membership, there is a recorded webinar you can review at your leisure, which is noted in the overview of that company on a prior page of this memorandum. You could review that at your leisure and we could later get on a webinar with them for questions only. I’d recommend going through that one anyway, as an example of what is offered.
Attachment I USLA Website – Current Features to Retain Attachment II USLA Website Options Comparison Attachment III Yourmembership.com brochure Attachment IV Internet4Associations brochure Attachment V Z2Neon brochure
5 Attachment I
USLA Website – Current Features to Retain
Sponsor recognition (logo and link) Home page with links to key items Donation page (mail-in check system) Membership sign-up process for all membership levels Various information pages (e.g. International Life Saving Federation information) National structure page with map, geographic boundaries, and links to regional officers-needs update List of officers and special assignments with email links (needs update) Lifeguard agency database Document upload areas for key documents (e.g. Bylaws and Lifeguard Library) Statistics – Interactive database for uploading by agencies and public viewing Bulletin Boards Public Education home page, including educational quizzes for kids Video uploads (publics service announcements) Lifeguard salary interactive database Store American Lifeguard Magazine database Hidden site for distribution of Board meeting materials to Board members Hidden site for distribution of Certification materials Certified agency list Email aliases for officers (needs update)
USLA Website – New Features Desired
Enhanced, updated home page, including current events Easy modification and addition of pages at no cost by key USLA officials (e.g. committee chairs) Bulletin boards restricted to use by USLA members (site login compared to USLA membership) Certified agency database, with contacts Corporate membership sign-up Donation page (via credit card or mail-in check) Member database Member sign-in for view of certain pages Membership reminders and sign-up (annual) Agency database – enhanced (being developed by Charlie) NOTE: Should be relational, so that changes in one area are updated in others. Enhanced sponsor recognition opportunities Regional sub-sites controlled by regions Chapter sub-sites that can be restricted to members thereof, to encourage membership Event sign-up (nationals, maybe regionals) Photo Gallery – Updated Live Surf Links Competition Results – Archive Competition Database
1 Attachment 2 Website Provider Comparisons
Your Internet Z2 Neon Feature Membership 4 .com Associations $5,995 $4,435 $5,3881 COST ANNUAL Possibly $02 $175/hr3 $5,2494 COST FOR INITIAL SETUP (not website design) None None None COST TO DESIGN WEBSITE USING STANDARD TEMPLATES Consultant5 $175/hr $6,7496 COST FOR CUSTOM DESIGN AND SETUP Included $175/hr7 Included8 SUPPORT Included $175/hr9 Included10 TRAINING None 200MB11 60GB12 WEBSITE SIZE LIMIT None None None WEBSITE PAGE LIMIT None 5 None13 LIMIT ON NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS
WEBSITE BUILDER Yes Yes Yes Can use as main website Yes Yes Yes Can have unlimited pages on website Yes Yes Yes Fully integrated website content manager Yes Yes Yes What you see is what you get WYSIWYG Yes No No14 Standard site design included in cost Yes Yes15 Sort of16 Standard website design templates (free) Yes Yes Yes Custom website designs (for a fee) Yes Yes Sort of17 Search engine optimization Yes Yes Yes Can use own web address (www.usla.org) Yes Yes Yes Manual control over site metatags Yes Yes Yes Can include sponsor advertising No Yes18 Yes19 Can create custom database (e.g. http://www.usla.org/Statistics/public.asp)
1 This is the cost for 15k-25k people in the NEON database & Our Basic Web Hosting Package with CMS 2 Standard price is $1,495. Sometime after participating in a webinar, they offered Charlie Hartl a fee waiver, perhaps not understanding the connection with USLA 3 Support for initial set-up is free for 60 days with a three year commitment. 4 NEON & OpenCMS using our Import Template for data import 5 They recommend some outside services to handle and provided no quote 6 With Member Pages Viewable by Type of Member & Adding Authorize.net CC Vendor 7 Support contract recommended, which provides 2 hrs per month at $150 and $135 after. 8 Web Support Center, Recorded Training, Help Videos, Setup & User Guides are included. 9 Four hours free with three year commitment. $135/hr with support contract. 10 “Live” Personal 4-5 hour Web Training is included 11 Additional storage is billable at .20/MB/Month. 12 Additional for $2/GB 13 Five free. Unlimited for $20 each. 14 We upload your templates and give you control to easily build out your website using them. For $5,000 we can also offer full original web design. 15 Some basic ones for free or custom for a fee, see: http://design.internet4associations.com/ 16 We upload your templates and give you control to easily build out your website using them. For $5,000 we can also offer full original web design. 17 We offer basic recommendations for SEO and the CMS helps promote good SEO 18 Three year commitment includes four hours of graphic design integration. Additional hours billable by the hour. 19 This would use our NEON database which has many customizable features
1
FORMS Yes Yes Yes Can create customized, dynamic forms Yes Yes Yes Secure forms for ecommerce Yes Yes Yes Can include waivers (liability) in forms
MEMBERSHIP DATABASE Yes Yes Yes Direct member controlled application and data entry Yes Yes Yes Member controlled data updates Yes Yes Yes Administrator controlled data updates and renewals Yes Yes Yes Can manually or automatically approve a member Yes Yes Yes Unlimited membership categories Yes20 No21 Yes Automatic deduction option (e.g. monthly, yearly) Yes Yes Yes Searchable member database Yes Yes Yes Can have organization (e.g. corporate) members No22 Yes Yes23 Member change history Yes Yes Yes Unlimited demographic fields for members Yes Yes Yes Financial transaction history by member No24 Yes Yes25 Can batch deposit checks Yes No Yes Facebook, Linked-In, etc. links Yes No No Member can create buddy list
PASSWORD PROTECTED AREAS Yes Yes Yes Secure (password) member areas Yes Yes $1,20026 Multiple level access for member categories
ECOMMERCE Yes Yes Yes Online store option with custom forms Yes Yes Yes Can sell PDF documents Yes Yes No Shipping rate calculator Yes Yes Yes Sales tax calculation option Yes Yes Yes Credit card payment See note27 See note28 See note29 Credit card transaction cost No30 No Maybe31 Can use own credit card processor Developing32 No Yes E-check payment
EVENT REGISTRATION Yes Yes Yes Conference/event registration Yes Yes Yes Pre-populated event registration
20 Requires that we use Bluepay for credit card processing. Also two reminders prior to membership expiration 21 Can send automatic reminders 22 No - however admin email alerts can contain change history 23 You can see a list of changes made by each staff member, and "created by" and "last updated" will show on the record 24 No, however can record check deposits in batches via the API 25 We have a "batch" entry screen for keying in multiple check transactions and attaching them to the right records 26 This would cost $1,200 to customize and add to NEON 27 None from YourMembership, but BluePay is the credit card processor and must pay their fee 28 Must use Payflow Pro or Authorize.net at their rates. No additional fee. 29 See Authorize.net 30 Yes, for manual processing, but only BluePay for real-time processing 31 If they are compatible with Authorize.net we can connect for $300 32 No, but this is currently in development
2 Yes Yes Yes Unlimited fields for event forms (e.g. meals) Sort of33 Yes Yes Fields can add to cost (e.g. multiple options for final price) Yes Yes Yes34 Variable fields for event levels (e.g. member discount) Yes Yes Yes Printer friendly receipts for registrants
MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS Yes Yes Yes Email blasts to members Yes Yes Yes Newsletters, with standard formats
ACCOUNTING Yes Yes Yes Accounts receivable and transaction records Yes35 QuickBooks Not yet36 Download to accounting package
DONATIONS Yes Partially37 Yes Donation collection and reminders Monthly38 No Yes Automatic donation deductions (i.e. annual or monthly)
FORUMS Yes Yes Yes Unlimited forum creation Yes Yes Yes39 Forums open to registered members Yes40 Yes As above Forums viewable to unregistered members
FILE POSTING Yes Yes Yes File upload and posting 15MB No Fee41 File size limit
SUBGROUPS Yes No42 Fee43 Can have interactive local chapter membership pages Yes Yes Sort of44 Can have infinite subgroups Yes Yes No Can assign administrator to subgroups Yes Yes No Subgroup admin can message group members
MISCELLANEOUS Yes Yes45 Yes Can have fee based job posting site Yes Yes Yes Can have news sites with RSS feeds Yes Yes Yes Can do surveys and quizzes
33 Multiple ticket options are available, but not based on answers submitted within the form 34 Not only different ticket prices, but members can be granted automatic discounts 35 Export in csv now, and QuickBooks is coming soon 36 QuickBooks export due in Q4 37 Reminders are manual (generated by administrator) 38 No annual renewal process, per se 39 The forum can be made public, or hidden behind a login, or hidden behind a member login, but it would be the same set of forums where ever it is put 40 Read only 41 You can purchase different packages for overall storage size. Starts at $20 for 1GB 42 Can have local chapter member pages, but not interactive. 43 We would have to give a quote for creating web pages only accessible by members from certain areas, unless this fit into the customization for member pages only viewable by certain member types. There would be an additional fee to have a different web template for the areas. 44 You can group people in unlimited ways, but all staff logged in would be able to see them equally 45 If a paid, log-in service, then $850/yr
3 Administrative Control powerful membership management features ASSOCIATIONS EDUCATION NON-PROFIT CORPORATIONS GOVERNMENT
Member Management Event Management & Calendar Create and manage member types Manage event information and categories Member auto-approval via email validation Create non-event calendar entries Create, edit and review member profiles Secure access to specific events to members only Export member and non-member profiles Allow online registration Create master-accounts with sub-accounts Manage event photos and galleries Enable member-type-specific pricing Add event tickets for sale online with member pricing Set optional/required dues payment Cross-promote and sell other store items within events Select member access levels (blogs, photos, connections, etc.) Export event registration lists Select group-type access levels and group administration Mass email event registration lists Set recurring dues payment for specific member types Schedule automated event reminder emails Manage required registration fields per member type Syndicate via RSS/XML Manage registration field visibility per member type Create custom profile fields per member type Data Synchronization Allow permanent affinity email addresses Import member and non-member profile data Manage lost and non-member directory Real-time export of member/non-member data Search directory by 50+ criteria, including custom fields Export contact form information Create touch logs and reminders (CRM) on a per record basis Export event registration information Automatically assign email touch logs to individuals Export group and community blogs Assign touch logs to individuals en masse Export resumés/CVs and openings Spotlight members within the community Export membership dues data/transactions Export donation data/transactions Dues & Membership Levels Export store order data/transactions Create multiple membership levels Import data into offline databases Establish free memberships ODBC-compliant format (ASCII and UNICODE) Allow introductory pricing option Select durations for your membership levels Administrative Control Panel Allow recurring auto-bill via credit card Alter system-wide settings Create membership levels with set number of career postings Manage your site security and privacy settings Create membership levels with related sub-accounts Set date and currency formats to your locale Create membership levels with different community access Set name display format Export membership and dues data Allow real-time credit card processing Control auto-response emails Content Management System Control administrative email notifications Complete content management control Create custom profile and custom donation fields Publish content via WYSIWYG editor or plain text editor Provide required terms of use Create custom CSS to be used on frontend of your website Set community email opt-out procedures Embed offsite content via RSS feed integration Toggle specific features on and off Upload/manage access to files, images and documents Manage menu, navigation, order and naming Create site-wide collaborative wiki pages Manage site meta tags Create and manage custom menu design, layout and copy Control access to main/sub menus Administrative User Management Link to offsite content from main menu Add/edit administrative accounts Create site-wide file libraries and resource collections Apply specific access rights Set public/member access security per page Expire accounts by date Establish social/professional networking access to members News & Announcements Reporting & Statistics Create rich blog-style news articles View registered members needing approval Manage news categories Process online donations submitted via website Restrict access to news items Process store orders needing fulfillment Feature specific news items throughout site Process membership dues (if applicable) Associate specific news items with select groups Review and approve career/volunteer postings Allow for commenting on a per article basis Review and process event registrations Syndicate via RSS/XML Review and process event tickets Review “at-a-glance” member-related statistics Review action items awaiting processing Custom Form Creation Review and approve group/community blogs and photos Set public/private access and security per form Create forms with fill-in the blank, radio buttons, etc. Add fields that auto fill data from member profiles Groups & Chapters Link to forms from custom pages with additional content Create individual group homepages Allow file uploads within forms Assign group administrators View form data submitted via administrative backend Establish private groups with invitation requests Process form submissions and mark internal comments Manage group-specific events Edit submitted form data Create and manage group blogs Export form data Create and manage custom content within groups Post and manage group photo galleries Create collaborative wiki group pages Create group file libraries and resource collections
300 First Avenue South | Suite 300 | St. Petersburg, FL 33701 1 +1.727.827.0046 | Fax +1.727.827.3940 | www.YourMembership.com Document, File & Media Management Blog & Forum Management Manage site-wide images and media Create multiple community blogs and forums Create resource folders and manage content Browse/search blogs and posts by tags Upload images, docs, MP3s, FLASH, videos, etc. Search blogs and posts by post content Create rotating images and photo galleries View, edit and delete blog posts and comments Lock specific blogs to member-only access Newsletters, Bulk Email & Messaging Lock specific blogs to read-only access Email and message by multi-criteria directory search Select from pre-defined newsletter templates Staff & Administration Listing Create/Save your own custom templates Add staff list and contact information Manage email opt-out process Upload photos/bios for staff profiles Send rich text, HTML or plain text emails View reports and tracking stats Customer Service & Support Schedule future mailings Unlimited training and support with no additional fees Include macros for personalized email View integrated online help Attach files, documents and media Browse best practice documents and training guides Watch online video tutorials Survey, Voting & Quiz Management View, submit and manage support tickets Create customized surveys, quizzes and voting ballets Submit, view, vote on new product enhancements Allow for fill-in-the-blank, radio button, multiple choice, etc. Read site update log of all new features and enhancements Send private surveys to select members Schedule live person training sessions and site audits Limit to one-time submission Request site design changes and updates View statistics, graphs and reports Join YM’s unified community of site administrators! Export all respondent data
Career & Volunteer Center Create and manage categories YourMembership.com continually enhances its solution, and Accept submitted openings all current features and future upgrades are included with Lock members to a limited number of active career posts the product’s low fixed fee. Allow online application to specific job postings Search resumés/CVs of members Approve and monitor postings Export resumés, CVs and openings Allow for RSS feed of postings
Donation & Fundraising Center Manage donation and fundraising campaigns Add/edit donation funds Create/manage custom donation fields Create/manage recurring contribution/donation options Set minimum/maximum donation amounts on per fund basis Set pre-defined amounts on per fund basis Process credit card and pledged donations Mass email members who have donated by multiple criteria Export donation information eCommerce & Online Store Management Create custom product categories Enable store promotion codes/coupon system Add/edit store product details, sizes, colors, types Create and sell downloadable products Enable a “gift message” option for online purchases Set tax/VAT level Select taxable items Set item shipping rates with multiple shipping options Automated email confirmation and shipment notification Process store credit card purchases Allow “Bill Me” option for non-credit card orders Export store order information Syndicate via RSS/XML
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Learn more about our tools: Fully web-based Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) tools
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United States Lifesaving Association Executive Committee Committee Action Report Date: May 1, 2010
Committee Chair: B. Chris Brewster
Committee Members: B. Chris Brewster – President, Nikki Bowie – Secretary, Rob Williams – Treasurer, Tim Gallagher – Advisor, Charlie Hartl – Executive Delegate, Peter Davis – Liaison, Joe Pecoraro – Great Lakes Region, Tony Pryor – Gulf Coast Region, Ed Zebrowski – Mid-Atlantic Region, Bert Whitaker – Northwest Region, Ralph Goto – Pacific Islands Region, Tom Gill – South Atlantic Region, Gerry Falconer – Southeast Region, Mike Beuerlein – Southwest Region, Dr. Peter Wernicki – Medical Advisor
Information Items (The following information was provided in writing and/or verbally)
1. Budget – Mr. Williams gave a brief overview of the budget. It was noted that the Combined Federal Campaign generated donations in 2009 of $1,917.06. Donations received year to date 2010: $884.72. 2. American Lifeguard – Mr. Brewster provided a verbal update on this legal issue. 3. Lifeguard Trademark – Mr. Brewster provided a verbal update on this legal issue. 4. Sponsor Relations 4.1. Isaac Sports Group (ISG) – Mr. Zebrowski circulated a written report from Isaac Sports Group highlighting their marketing review for USLA (attachment 1). There are items in the report that require USLA to identify key contacts to assist Mr. Isaac. The following assignments were made: Develop USLA story presentation – photos needed from key events – Jo Wagenhals; list of past National sponsors and new ideas for the Nationals event program – Ed Zebrowski; Heroic Acts and National awards – Adrienne Groh; National Beach Safety Week – Denise Blair; Membership Kit – Charlotte Graham; Membership services – Membership Committee; New programs – Adrienne Groh and Chris Brewster; Lifesaving Hall of Fame – Chris Brewster. 4.2. Finis – This agreement allows those using the USLA discount code to receive 50% off all items, with the exception of certain electronics. USLA has received quarterly statements of sales and 7% of net product sales. Income from Finis since the contract started in October 2008 totals $1,017.44. 4.3. EyeKing Agreement – Our contract allows USLA members to purchase Hobie eyewear at a 50% discount. This discount is not limited to USLA members, but is aimed at lifeguards and includes the USLA logo. Under this agreement EyeKing pays the USLA $500 per quarter, commencing March 31, 2009 and 7% of net product sales generated via the lifeguard pro website. This agreement is scheduled to continue through December 31, 2010. Income from EyeKing since the contract started in March 2009 totals $2,500 (flat payment) plus $2,391.24 (7% of sales). 4.4. Ingram – Our contract with Ingram was finalized in January and will yield $5,000 per year for three years. This agreement is scheduled to continue through December 31, 2011. Income from Ingram since the contract started in January 2009 totals $5,000. (An invoice for 2010 has recently been submitted.) 4.5. Da Fin – The Da Fin contract remains in force and the USLA has been compensated in accordance with our agreement ($4,000 per year). This agreement is scheduled to continue through August 2011. Income from DaFin since the contract began in January 2008 totals $12,000. 4.6. Zubrella – The agreement remains in force. This includes income of $2,000 cash per year, plus $1,500 for three full page ads in ALM each year (total $3,500 per year). This contract is scheduled to continue through November 2011. Income from Zubrella since the contract started in November 2006 totals $8,000 plus $3,000 in required ALM advertising. 4.7. First Aid for Kids – There has been no news on this relationship from the sponsor. We garner income only in the case that the product is marketed and is successful.
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5. Royalties 5.1. Bank of America – Bank of America terminated our agreement in September, 2009. Received $1,516.40 in 2009. 5.2. Amazon.com – Amazon provides us with incentives when people click through from USLA.ORG (textbook) to Amazon and buy a USLA text or any other items. This is an ongoing relationship. We received $206.79 in 2009 and $48.34 year to date. 5.3. Pearson – We receive royalties for our textbook sales. We have received $335.81 for the six month period ending December 31, 2009. Total Received in 2009 was $1,280.15. 5.4. DVD Sales (via Uniserv) – We have received $3,072 in sales proceeds. The original cost to have the DVDs manufactured was $2,731.92. 5.5. USLA Store (via Uniserv) – We received $180.99 in income in 2009. 6. Nationals 2012 – Mr. Zebrowski noted that the Northwest (Lake Tahoe) has interest in hosting the 2012 event, as does the Southwest (LA County).
Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Two sponsor possibilities, which were received directly by the USLA, were referred to ISG for further research: Opa Cove and Whistles for Life. 2. Mr. Beuerlein raised a concern on behalf of the Southwest Region regarding the role of the Executive Committee and specifically the appropriateness of meeting during the Board of Directors meetings (attachment 3). Motion by Mr. Beuerlein to have the USLA Bylaw Committee review the role of the USLA Executive Committee to determine if it is functioning in accordance with the existing USLA Bylaws. MPU. 3. Mr. Brewster suggested a policy change to require that venues may not bid to host a National Lifeguard Championship without first tentatively agreeing to a standard host agreement or stating any variations they propose, and further requiring that once a bid is approved, that the host agreement must be signed within 60 days. It was agreed to refer this to the Bylaws committee to develop proposed amendments to Policies and Procedures VII – D. 4. Mr. Brewster presented draft Bylaw amendments to the Executive Committee which had been reviewed by a representative of the United States Olympic Committee and which, if enacted, are expected to allow the USLA to be recognized as the national governing body for lifesaving sport by the USOC (attachment 2). It was agreed that the proposals should be formally published to the Executive Committee and noticed under New Business by the Secretary. They will be scrutinized by the Bylaws Committee. They will be available for action by the Board of Directors at the November 2010 meeting. 5. The availability of meeting reports to those without access to the Board of Director’s Library was discussed. Nikki Bowie will take suggestions and report at the Fall meeting.
Action Items (Requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. A draft Host Agreement for conduct of the 2010 National Lifeguard Championships was circulated to the Executive Committee and discussed. Mr. Pryor moved to recommend that the Executive Committee recommend to the Board of Directors that it accept the Host agreement as published to the Executive Committee for the August 2010 National Lifeguard Championships? Mr. Williams seconded. MPU. 2. A draft Host Agreement for conduct of the 2011 National Lifeguard Championships was circulated to the Executive Committee and discussed. (Note: Due to a potential conflict of interest, Mr. Zebrowski exited the room and did not participate in the discussion.) Mr. Pryor moved to recommend that the Board of Directors accept the proposed host agreement for August 2011 National Lifeguard Championships in Cape May, NJ. Mr. Falconer seconded the motion. MPU.
Attachments 1. USLA Marketing Agreement Page 2 of 3
2. Athlete Amendments 3. Southwest Region Executive Committee Points
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ATTACHMENT 1
UNITED STATES LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION MARKETING REVIEW April 26, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction Page 2
Goals Page 3
USLA National Sponsorships Page 3
National Championships Page 5
USA Lifesaving National Team Page 8
American Lifeguard Magazine Page 8
USLA Website Page 9
Heroic Acts and Awards Page 11
National Beach Safety Week Page 11
Membership Kit Page 11
Membership Services Page 12
New Programs Page 12
Communication between USLA and ISG Page 14
Action Plan Timeline Page 15
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ATTACHMENT 1
UNITED STATES LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION MARKETING REVIEW April 26, 2010
INTRODUCTION Marketing the USLA is much more than just raising money by finding sponsors for the National Championship. To quote Chris Brewster in a recent email, “We are always looking for revenue possibilities that can fund our ongoing work, but we try to ensure that those revenue opportunities match with our mission.” Nationals, the National Team and regional competition however, still remain some of the highest visibility programs of the USLA. The higher the profile of the USLA Nationals the greater the opportunity to leverage the Nationals to promote and support important education, training and service programs of the USLA.
A marketing strategy for USLA must provide a platform to achieve this goal. There are five key elements that need to be addressed.
1. Better link the USLA “competitive” properties with the “service properties” 2. Generate increased public exposure of key USLA programs, both within and outside the Lifeguard community 3. Integrate the support, sponsorship and advertising opportunities of the many USLA properties and programs, bundling sponsor benefits to support a wider range of programs and increase value for sponsors, advertisers, licensees and donors 4. Better coordinate all the volunteers involved with organizing and finding support for USLA programs within the overall marketing strategy 5. Better determine needs and priorities of the membership to better service members and drive increased members. Creating more value for members helps create more value for sponsors and partners.
This report analyzes existing marketing programs and provides a blueprint to address these elements and provide an action plan and timeline of next steps. Focus will be on both creating a strong platform for future revenue growth as well as immediate action needed to generate more support for 2010 Nationals, the 2010 National Team competing at World Championships and the USLA this calendar year. The report will review each of the main USLA programs, address potential marketing opportunities for each program and explore ways to integrate these opportunities and identify next steps. The main programs include: USLA Nationals USLA National Team Junior Lifeguard Programs Regional Competition Website American Lifeguard Magazine (ALM) Heroic Acts National Beach Week Educational Materials Annual Meetings
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ATTACHMENT 1
New Programs and Properties Membership Benefits
GOALS The overall goals of the marketing strategy as presented in the fall of 2009 are the following: Generate increased revenue, royalties, fundraising and cost relieving sponsorships by at least $125,000 Expand overall sponsorship and membership benefits of USLA Establish fund-raising/development program for USLA Expand advertising value to USLA advertisers and partners and expand program to increase revenue Offer direction to improve and integrate USLA communication platforms o Website o E-newsletter o Magazine o Regional and agency communication tools Increase member and service benefits to all categories of membership Generate significant increase in media coverage of 2010 USLA Nationals Build long-range plan and revenue model to place USLA Nationals on television beginning in 2011 Create increased public awareness of USLA Mission, Educational and Lifesaving programs o Annual Beach Safety Week o Heroic Acts awards o Junior Lifeguard Programs o Greater circulation of USLA Public Service Announcements o Usage of Activity Book o Educational information and programs o School programs
These goals have both short term and long term elements. Short term elements are important to generate initial increase in revenue flow in calendar 2010 in order to achieve the longer term goals to create an effective and stable platform for continuing future growth and success of the USLA.
USLA NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP and ROYALTY PROGRAMS USLA currently has several national sponsors, licensees and affiliate partner programs. The benefits for each sponsor are diverse, but seem well crafted to meet the sponsor’s needs but are often narrowly focused on only one or two of USLA properties. It is important to enhance the value (and therefore potential revenue) of these packages by bundling properties, combining website exposure, magazine advertising and links to services with traditional sponsor designation and recognition.
It is also important to develop a good USLA/USLA Nationals info presentation packet, the USLA Story. In addition to information about USLA programs and events, it would include an overview of membership, photos from Nationals and Jr. Programs and even have a link to video.
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This packet, digital and hard copies, would include sponsorship opportunities as well as serve as an introduction to the USLA and its programs for potential sponsors, donors and grant organizations.
Developing the USLA Story Presentation ISG to create this presentation ISG will need photos and video clips from key events and programs (could be shot at 2010 Nationals) Presentation completed in time for fall sponsor solicitation
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA Designate USLA volunteer to pull these photos and images together for ISG
Identifying and Pitching potential sponsors Target list of potential new sponsors and initial approaches to be made in May Will review past sponsors and sponsors of like minded safety organizations Identify and re-approach past sponsors from last four nationals that need to be approached for more national programs Solicit sponsor connections/contacts from USLA volunteers Expand membership benefit discount and affinity programs across a wider range of products and more mainstream companies Key sponsor categories o Apparel o Swimwear o Sunscreen o Beach footwear o Hotel o Energy Drink/Water o Automobile o Energy Bar/Nutrition o Lifeguard/Lifesaving specific products o Youth related safety products o Water Safety products Create specific target sponsors for the different USLA categories mentioned in this report
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA Ed Z. to help put together a list of past national sponsors
Reviewing all current sponsors and licensees and initiating renewal and upgrade process where appropriate ISG to contact all current sponsors, licensees and affinity partners to review current programs and discuss satisfaction with program and additional opportunities-June and July following late June meeting between ISG and Ed Z. August-Begin extension or renegotiation programs-include current USLA officer who helped do original deal in any conversation if appropriate Strengthen minimum royalties and usage tracking in royalty and affinity programs
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ATTACHMENT 1
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Historically the USLA Nationals has been the marketing property that has generated the most support. Marketing and sponsorship of Nationals has been very inconsistent, relying on a combination of the efforts of the local host and a couple key USLA National officers to generate sponsorship. There is a combination of both local and national sponsors, which is good, but poor renewal from year to year and limited engagement of the sponsors into other key USLA programs. There has also been limited involvement of ALM advertisers and USLA Licensees with the Nationals. While it is important to always be looking to involve new sponsors, it is just as important to increase the involvement of existing national sponsors, advertisers and licensees in the nationals.
There is also ongoing discussion within the Competition Committee on potential re-organization of the USLA Nationals. Suggestions and ideas on Nationals reorganization are attached in a separate document. It is also important to address the nationals bid process and update the current national event contract to insure consistent championship, equitable distribution of revenue and coordinated marketing efforts.
Below are key elements of marketing Nationals:
Public Relations One of the top priorities for building greater value in Nationals is to increase exposure through the media. ISG brings the PR agency BZA on board to generate increased local and national exposure for this year’s nationals. PR has the following goals: Create local market media in advance of the event Identify key competitors, defending champions and any unique stories to create story lines prior to event and during event Generate local and national coverage of the event o On site TV and Radio o Promotion in local media o Actual coverage of the event Create media story on Junior Lifeguard Programs in Southern California Use this opportunity to publicize and honor key USLA award winners, including Heroic Acts, Medal of Valor winners and Lifetime members from this year PR timeline May 2010 ISG and BZA working with designated volunteers o Work with USLA competition committee, national team manager and regional volunteers to identify and create short bios on key competitors o Create short history of the Nationals (already available I believe) o Generate pr plan specifics to review with Local Host Week of June 1-2 ISG and BZA to meet with Local Host in Southern California (Date Tentative pending availability of local host) o Coordinate PR efforts with Host o Determine on site press and media needs for event o Set schedule for advance publicity
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA
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Provide key USLA individuals for ISG/BZA to work with on identifying key competitors, important stories and other necessary Nationals content
National Junior Lifeguard Championships The National Junior Champs is a great opportunity to generate increased sponsor support linked to the Junior Lifeguard Program. This demographic is valuable to sponsors and can attract some program specific sponsorships. This event can gain even greater impact if it is expanded to a two-day format in future years. Bundle Junior Champs specific sponsorship with Junior Guard feature section in ALM and the Championship Program as well as on the USLA website and Championship website Example of potential sponsors o UnionBay (clothing manufacturer targeting teens in mid tier channels-e.g. Kohl’s, Penny’s)-already signed on as a presenting sponsor of 2011 Nationals-the company describes itself as “helping define teen fashion for over 25 years” o Mountain Dew
Event Program The actual event program printed by the local Host is also an inconsistently leveraged marketing vehicle. Ad revenue varies widely from Host to Host, from significant to minimal with only a sponsor page and one full page ad from a national sponsor. There is also virtually no differentiation between major sponsors (Ford in 2009) and small local product suppliers. The Event program can be much better leveraged and utilized.
Existing Format Combine ad space in event program with ALM advertising programs-giving current advertisers an additional vehicle and increasing overall ad revenue Incorporate event program ads into sponsorship and licensing programs to better link national sponsors and licensees to nationals Bundle event program ads with logo recognition and hotlinks on national website and USLA Website
Content Include summary content in Program covering key USLA Honors and Programs- use this vehicle to promote USLA service programs o Heroic Acts o Life members o Educational Programs o National Beach Week Provides visible platform to recognize any future potential sponsors or donors to these Service Programs
Suggestions on Potential New Program Format One possible way to make the Event Program even a more valuable and effective property and achieve our goal of integrating marketing platforms is to have USLA
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ATTACHMENT 1
take over the publication of the program and integrate it into the ALM. The Event program would in effect be a fourth annual edition of the ALM. Not only would the special issue be used on site and in the local market at nationals, but it would be mailed to all members as part of their current subscriptions. This new format would achieve the following goals: Provide an enhance vehicle for existing advertisers, linking them to the nationals Provide a vehicle to give added value to Nationals sponsors to reach the entire membership, not just those participating and attending nationals Bring the competitive segment of USLA to all the memberships Provide platform to better publicize all USLA programs at Nationals Create an enhanced revenue opportunity for current ALM advertisers, USLA National sponsors and National Championship sponsors A number of pages of this special issue would be set aside for the local Nationals Host for local content and local advertisers to maintain their tool for generating local revenue
Next Steps and Timeline Review Services/awards content for Event Program idea with Heroic Acts and Education committees at USLA Meeting Review new format idea with Magazine, Competition and Public Information committees ISG to meet with Local Host and Mike Bartlett week of June 1 to review advertising opportunities and linking ALM advertisers with event program Following meeting, identify target advertisers and solicit ads through local Host, Mike Bartlett and ISG
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA Provide key USLA individuals for ISG to work with on exploring new format ideas for Event Program Link to Regional Championships It is also important to explore some programmatic ways to provide some sponsor link to regional championships to increase reach of National Championship sponsors and USLA sponsors and deliver some enhanced support for the regional championships, competitions and teams. Explore regional opportunities with Ed Z and regional Presidents Identify any existing regional sponsors Link to regional sections on website and ALM
Nationals Sponsor Categories, Potential and Process There are some specific sponsor categories and targets to approach immediately (some contacts have already been made) Auto-Ford is unlikely to provide support this year o Toyota Headquartered in Southern California
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Desperately in need of enhancing safety image Initial contact made by ISG o Subaru Currently California regional sponsor-any possibility to expand relationship-need to work through California Region Apparel o Separate apparel (officials, National Team) and Swimwear o More likely to find potential sponsors with split category o Can we find sponsor that will contribute money and product and sign multiple year agreement? Both ISG and Local Host have potential product only sponsor for Officials-still have about a month to find sponsor willing to do more-Will coordinate with Local Host when event contract is signed Review Host Event budget with Local Host and support Local Host to find specific budget relieving product sponsors (Week of June 1) o Are any of these potential national sponsors? Review all current National Sponsors and Licensees to create a Nationals sponsorship enhancement to link them to nationals o ISG to work directly with USLA officials who negotiated each of the existing National sponsorship and licensing agreements to develop these enhancements based on the nature of the sponsor o NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY USLA-identify key USLA for each sponsor if different than Ed Zebrowski
USA NATIONAL TEAM The USA National Lifesaving Team which competes internationally is an important part of the USLA’s role in the International Life Saving Federation and the international lifesaving community in general. It is also a very important pinnacle of Lifesaving competition in the US for the competitors. The National team presents sponsor opportunities that may stand alone, but certainly have the potential to be linked to sponsorship of the National Championships. Efforts to include benefits and funding for the National Team will be presented in conjunction with sponsorship proposals for overall USLA and National Championships sponsorships. These efforts will be coordinated also with the National Team Manager, Jay Butki.
AMERICAN LIFEGUARD MAGAZINE The ALM is one of the single biggest USLA member benefits and a critical communication tool for the USLA. It also represents one budget item that does generate revenue for USLA, although it does not completely pay for itself. Mike Bartlett does a great job in managing the magazine and bringing in advertisers. In conversations with Mike it is clear that there is some upside revenue and content opportunities with the magazine. In this day of e-newsletters and web based media many non-profits are moving toward digital only magazine formats to achieve the same goals but significantly reduce costs. The hard copy ALM still serves an important purpose within USLA and has significant pass-a-round exposure and recognized benefits to advertisers. While we
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do need to continually look at ways to better integrate ALM into new web-based communication services we also need to determine ways to bring in new advertisers, increase value to existing advertisers and increase overall revenue. Keys to this include: ISG to work with Mike B on current and potential advertisers to identify increased revenue potential (week of June 1) ISG to work with Ed Z to incorporate magazine advertising into programs for existing sponsors, licensees and affiliate partners Establish regional columns in ALM issues to attract regional and local sponsors, perhaps linked to regional championships and competition and teams Create Junior Lifeguard feature section in magazine Identify potential sponsors for specific regular features or columns in the magazine Identify membership priorities for magazine-what are members looking for? Explore possibility of making the National Championship event program a special ALM issue Determine how to best support Mike B and the Magazine Committee and volunteers in any expanded ALM content or advertising programs
USLA WEBSITE Updating and upgrading the USLA website will be one of the top priorities of any new USLA marketing and communication initiatives. This initiative has already been launched by Chris Brewster and progress is being made on designing a new website. Following are ISG suggestions on website updates and the upgrades in the website platform and server that are needed to support new marketing and digital initiatives. These suggestions were submitted to Chris B in October are meant to assist USLA in budgeting for website design and upgrade.
WEBSITE GOALS Increase member benefits and services Improve communication to membership Drive more traffic to website and promote frequent repeat traffic Provide greater interactive communication with membership Improve and update look of the website Increase exposure and benefits to current and potential sponsors Create e-newsletter Explore electronic magazine format Create more relevant content for all categories of members
UPDATING THE WEBSITE The Look o The current website has a very copy/text intensive home page with a very outdated look. A cleaner design with flash capabilities and more visual appeal is an important first step. o We can help with actual graphic design or work with any of your volunteer team or current design support on a new look Communication Tools
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o Expand and simplify e-newsletter and virtual magazine capabilities to create tool for regular communication to members o Broaden capabilities of community network capabilities of website . Link to face book and other social networking sites . Establish USLA face book, linked in and other community communication sites . Update current bulletin board capabilities o Create capabilities for on-line training and education programs . Competition officials . Junior Guard education programs . Other relevant educational programs Content o Improve and simplify ease of posting articles, photos and content o Create relevant content for Junior Guards o Create relevant content for Regions, with input from each region o Make content timely and current, stimulating frequent visiting of the site to stay current o Enable multiple editor access (such as regional editors, junior editor, etc.) o Create option for on-line magazine to complement and expand on current hard copy magazine o Create on-line magazine or newsletter specifically for Junior Guards o Create on-line Board Room or governance section with committee pages to facilitate volunteer and executive communication and management to help govern and manage USLA more effectively through the volunteer network o Create vehicle to honor guards and publicize USLA awards, competition and heroic acts Interactive Communication o Create platform for member polls and surveys and analysis of results o Create member benefits and information only accessible in member only pages on site o Expand options for direct communications and questions to USLA through website Site Management o Upgrade capabilities to analyze web traffic and most popular pages and features o Create database management system to keep database of member emails, visitors and key parties o Create tracking and digital services for expanded sponsor and advertiser benefits
WEBSITE PLATFORM AND TECHNICAL FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY Analyze capabilities and costs of current server and explore necessary options Add content management system to website o Access for editors and contributors o E-newsletter and magazine capabilities o Survey/Polling capabilities Upgrade database management capabilities Add Back Office administrative functions
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Upgrade video capabilities Upgrade flash capabilities Make platform and server software compatible for easy hand held device access
HEROIC ACTS and LIFETIME MEMBER AWARDS The Heroic Acts program and Medal of Valor are fantastic awards honoring incredible achievements, selfless bravery and lifetime achievement. These awards and honors are very meaningful to the recipient and valued greatly within USLA long time members but have very little recognition to the general public or even the grass roots lifeguard USLA member. One priority in the marketing blueprint is to greatly enhance the exposure and media coverage of these awards and do a better job of linking these to other USLA programs. Here are suggestions: ISG will incorporate public relations support for these programs into its existing services of BZA Review options for public presentations and recognition of these awards with the appropriate committees o Explore coordinating announcements and presentations with USLA Nationals o Determine any other suitable site or event for presentation (perhaps identifying like minded service organizations and piggy back on an existing program) o Develop sponsor/underwriting program for these awards (limited cost in awards itself, but a great potential vehicle as part of the community/civic portion of a corporate sponsorship or partnership)
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA Who are contacts for ISG to discuss potential marketing programs linked to these award programs?
NATIONAL BEACH SAFETY WEEK National Beach Safety Week is a great program that is driven locally and is probably underutilized. Is it possible to make this more of a national program? Develop pr program for NBSW Work with appropriate committee to review current activation and utilization of the program and explore potential sponsor/partner programs
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA Who are contacts for ISG to work with on NBSW?
MEMBERSHIP KIT The Membership Kit is a long time benefit of membership that costs the USLA quite a bit of money each year. Perceived value of the membership kit and alternative methods to deliver member benefits need to be explored. The membership kit also provides a very direct way to reach members with products and key messages. This value packed direct communication vehicle is very important to many sponsors and companies trying to pitch their products directly to the lifeguard. Membership Kit partnerships need to added to the list of sponsor/advertiser opportunities to reduce the large annual expense of the Membership Kit. Survey information on the Kit will also help fine tune and focus this service and make it more valuable and hopefully less costly.
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Next Steps: Review membership kit options-summer of 2010 Present membership kit options at November Board Meetings
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA Identify USLA Committee liaison for ISG
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES An important part of any overall marketing strategy must involve membership growth. USLA membership is relatively stable in terms of total numbers, with a relatively moderate turnover rate each year. The small amount of royalty money generated by affinity programs and sales discount programs offered through the website as membership benefits shows that members do not use these programs in any great amounts. Is this because they don’t know about these or they are not significant enough or just not relevant to members?
It is very important to better understand what our overall membership is looking for, especially the young lifeguards and the Junior Lifeguard members. ISG will conduct a survey of membership this summer culminating in a membership benefit analysis to be presented at the November 2010 Board Meeting. Key points to address are: Determine the perceived value of current benefits o Membership Kit o Product discounts o ALM o Education info on the web o Community bulletin board and on-line social networking o Access to Lifeguard competition Identify additional benefits members would like to see Identify member benefits important to specific groups o Junior Lifeguards o Retired and “alumni” lifeguards o Active competitors Timeline June 1-Present detailed prospectus on survey July 1-August 31 Conduct Survey (includes surveys at Nationals) September-October Compile and Analyze survey information
NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA Name a USLA volunteer in each region for ISG to work with to get key contact people and help identify key chapters to survey
NEW PROGRAMS The USLA has the opportunity over the next year or two to create some additional properties linked to current programs or USLA history that can not only better promote the mission of the
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ATTACHMENT 1 organization but generate increased exposure for the organization and its mission and create new revenue streams.
USLA Awards Dinner or Event The USLA has significant award programs, including Heroic Acts, Medal of Valor and Lifetime membership as well as important competitive awards and other long term achievement awards. There are also significant regionally administered awards. There is currently no truly national or public forum established to present or effectively publicize these awards. If Nationals moves to a four day format, this may create the space to host some awards type event during nationals to honor USLA award recipients and create another way to link USLA service and competitive programs. It would also provide a strong platform to link sponsors to service programs and provide additional sponsor and donor opportunities. There may also be another time and place for such an event that would also be suitable (see additional notes in Heroic Acts/Awards section of this report).
Next Steps: Review potential event program opportunities with key USLA committee staff and officers Present initial ideas as talking points to officers at Nationals Present formal ideas for event program at November Board Meeting NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA USLA to determine key committee members to work with ISG on exploring this idea
US Lifesaving Hall of Fame (hosted by the USLA) I believe that this year is the 30th anniversary of USLA Nationals and the 46th year of overall national Lifeguard competition dating back to NSLSA in 1965. During that time there have been many truly outstanding athletes competing and dominating the sport. More importantly, there is a century of history of Lifesaving in the US. A Lifesaving Hall of Fame can honor great accomplishments, great lifeguards and great contributors to water safety. The Hall of Fame does not need an actual location at first, just a virtual Hall of Fame website to accomplish much of its mission. This Hall of Fame can help honor Lifesaving over history as well as provide an additional platform for promoting the USLA mission and creating revenue streams.
Next Steps: Review potential Hall of Fame opportunities with key USLA committee staff and officers Present initial ideas as talking points to officers at Nationals Present formal ideas for event program at November Board Meeting NOTE: ACTION NEEDED BY ULSA USLA to determine key committee members to work with ISG on exploring this idea
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COMMUNICATION BETWEEN USLA AND ISG Part of the successful execution of the marketing program will be increased communication between ISG and a wider group of USLA officers and committee members as well as regular Executive Committee updates.
As marketing and media programs are linked to each program, I would like to have a designated USLA contact who is closely involved with each specific area as well as continuing regular communication with the Executive Committee. Specifically, I would like a key USLA liaison in each of the following areas (I have filled in the ones I already have contact with):
Overall USLA Marketing Chris Brewster and Ed Zebrowski Nationals and Competition Ed Zebrowski ALM Mike Bartlett Public Relations/Information services Website Heroic Acts and other awards Junior Lifeguard Programs Membership Services Membership Kit National Beach Safety Week USLA Nationals (current and future years) Mike Lumb-2010 Ed Zebrowski-2011 USA National Lifesaving Team Jay Butki
Monthly Updates to President and Marketing coordinator (Ed Zebrowski) Can include entire Executive Committee if requested
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ACTION TIMELINE-2010
May Follow up from Board Meeting ISG communication with designated USLA liaisons in each area Develop agenda for June California meetings Finalize sponsorship proposals for National Championship presentations Pitch National Championship and National Team sponsorship packages-through July Create National Championship and other USLA Story lines with PR agency
June May 31-June 3-LA Meetings o Mike Bartlett-ALM o National Championship Host o PR meeting with ALM and National championship host o Rob Williams-Finance o Chris Brewster Develop Membership Survey June 27-28 ISG Meeting with Ed Zebrowski o National Championship organization, bid process and contract o Sponsor Review
July Contact all current sponsors, licensees and affinity partners Begin discussions on potential new programs o Awards Event o Hall of Fame Conduct Membership Survey (through August)
August National Championships Key meetings with ISG USLA liaisons Initial conversations on new programs and existing program review Finalize sponsorship presentations and packages for 2011 programs
September Post Nationals event and media analysis Launch 2011 sponsorship solicitation-ongoing all fall through end of year Renewals and extensions of current sponsors Compile and analyze member survey Finalize USLA Story presentation packet
October Develop media and pr plan for 2011
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Update Marketing strategy for 2011 Ongoing sponsorship solicitation
November Fall Board of Directors Meeting Ongoing sponsorship solicitation
December Ongoing sponsorship solicitation
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Section 4 – Officers of the United States Lifesaving Association A. USLA Executive Board The Executive Board of the USLA Board of Directors shall be comprised of the USLA President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive DelegateAthlete Representative, Past President/Advisor, and Liaison Officer. B. Executive Committee (1) Membership In order to provide for important and necessary regional representation on all matters that pertain to the business, actions and practices of the Association, an Executive Committee shall be established. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the USLA Executive Board as defined under Section 4 (A) of this article, and the USLA Regional Presidents or their appointed designees, and three Athlete Representatives. . Formatted: Heading 5, Indent: Left: 0", Tab (2) Authority of the Executive Committee stops: Not at 1" The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the USLA Board of Formatted: Bullets and Numbering Directors between Board of Director’s meetings. This authority shall exclude the power: a) To adopt or amend the USLA or Regional Bylaws; or, b) To modify or expunge specific actions of the Board of Directors; or, c) To undertake any other action that has been denied the Executive Committee by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall secure Errors and Omissions/Fiduciary Liability coverage for the USLA Treasurer and any other USLA officer as deemed necessary and appropriate. (Amended November 7, 2009) (3) Voting Privileges Each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to one vote and have equal voting privileges on issues before the Committee. (4) Executive Session When in the best interests of the USLA any member of the Executive Committee or their designated representative, with agreement by the majority of the Executive Committee, may hold discussions in executive session on matters of immediate interest and importance. Executive session discussions shall be reported to the Board of Directors as soon as possible or as soon as such reporting can be accomplished without negatively impacting the best interests of the USLA. Only members of the Executive Committee or their designated representatives may attend executive session.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 15 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
C. Election of Officers (1) The USLA President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and Executive Delegate shall be elected by a ballot of the USLA Board of Directors every second year in odd numbered years. (2) Election shall be by secret ballot of each individual director and a simple majority vote will elect. All votes by proxy must meet the requirements of Article IX, Section 4. (3) The Past President/Advisor position shall be filled by the immediate predecessor to the current President if the immediate Past President elects to serve. If the immediate Past President is unable or unwilling to serve, an Advisor shall be appointed by the President elect and confirmed by a simple majority vote of the USLA Board of Directors. (4) The Liaison Officer shall be appointed by the President elect and confirmed by the Board of Directors. A majority vote is required to confirm the appointment. D. Election of Athletes Representatives Formatted: Heading 3 (1) A total of four Athlete Representatives shall be elected in the same years as the Election of Formatted: Bullets and Numbering Officers. (2) Election shall be by email ballot of qualified electors who have provided valid email addresses to the USLA and demonstrated their qualifications. (3) Nominations for Athlete Representatives shall be open from August 15 in odd numbered years, through September 15, and elections of qualified nominees shall be open from October 1 until October 20. Any USLA member with voting privileges may nominate a qualified person to be an Athlete Representative, including, if qualified, themselves. (4) To qualify to as an elector or as an Athlete Representative, a person must: a) have participated as a member of the National Team representing the United States at the World Championships within the 10 years preceding the election; or, b) represented the United States on an international team selected and sanctioned by the United States Lifesaving Association in a multi-national lifesaving competition; or, c) have participated in no less than three National Lifesaving Championships sanctioned by the United States Lifesaving Association; and, d) must be a current member of the United States Lifesaving Association with voting privileges. (5) The qualified nominees with the highest numbers of votes shall be elected, with the following exceptions: Formatted: Font color: Black a) There shall be no more than one Athlete Representative from any USLA Region, so only Formatted: Heading 5 the qualified nominee with the highest number of votes from any single USLA Region shall be elected. Formatted: Font color: Black b) There shall be no fewer than one male and one female among those elected, so if the highest number of votes received, after regional diversity is achieved as specified in the foregoing clause, are for members entirely of one gender, then the fourth Athlete Representative shall be the person of the opposite gender who received the highest number of votes among qualified nominees of that gender and who is from a Region that is not represented by the first three elected. D.E. Appointment of the Legal Advisor, and Medical Advisor The Legal Advisor and Medical Advisor shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors. A majority vote is required to confirm the appointment.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 16 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
E.F. Terms Formatted: Bullets and Numbering (1) The term of office for the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Delegate, and Liaison Officer, and Athlete Representatives shall be for two years with no limit on the number of terms. (2) The term of office for the Past President/Advisor shall be two years. If the President is reelected for successive terms the President elect may choose to retain the Past President/Advisor or appoint a director to fulfill the Past President/Advisor’s responsibilities. Said appointment must be confirmed by a simple majority of the Board of Directors. (3) The term of service for the Legal Advisor and Medical Advisor shall correspond with the term of office of the President with continuing approval of the Board of Directors. (4) A vacancy in office of an officer or appointee, excepting an Athlete Representative, shall be filled by the Executive Committee until the next meeting of the Board of Directors at which time an election will be held for the balance of the term. If an Athlete Representative is unable, unwilling, or unqualified to serve, then the next qualified person who would have been elected at the most recent election of Athlete Representatives will be offered the position, retaining the proscription on more than one representative per Region and requirement of no less than one representative of each gender, until a qualified person accepts the position. F.G. Quorum Formatted: Bullets and Numbering A majority of the Executive Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. G.H. Duties of the Officers Formatted: Bullets and Numbering (1) President – The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall: a) Preside at all meetings of the Members, Board of Directors and Executive Committee. b) Have general charge of the business of the Association and execute, with the Secretary, in the name of the USLA, all deeds, bonds, contracts and other obligations and instruments authorized by the Board of Directors. c) Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint such standing or special committees and subcommittees as outlined in Article XI, Sections 2 and 3. d) Prepare the official annual report to the Board of Directors on the activities and affairs of the USLA. e) Prepare a written report on the state of the Association including all duties and activities of the President for each meeting of the Board of Directors. f) Be the Second Delegate to the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. g) Have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. (2) Vice President a) The Vice President shall be vested with all the powers and shall perform all the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President. b) The Vice President shall also have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. c) Prepare a written report including all duties and activities of the Vice President for each meeting of the Board of Directors. (3) Secretary a) The Secretary shall keep a full and complete record of the proceedings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and meetings of the Members; shall keep the seal of the Association (corporation) and affix same to such papers and instruments as may be required in the regular course of business; shall make and serve notices as may be
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 17 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
necessary; shall retain a membership roll; shall distribute the minutes of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and meetings of Members within thirty (30) days; shall maintain an updated copy of the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures; shall determine a quorum and the number of votes needed to pass on any item; shall verify Directors in good standing and perform all other duties incidental to the office of the Secretary. b) In the case of absence or disability of the Secretary, or refusal or neglect to act, notices may be given and served by the President or the Vice President, or by any other person authorized by the President, Vice President or Board of Directors. c) The Secretary shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. (4) Treasurer a) The Treasurer shall receive and safely keep all funds of the Association and deposit same in such bank or banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors. USLA funds shall be disbursed only in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws and the rules established by the Board of Directors on checks of the Association, signed as directed by the Board of Directors. b) The Treasurer shall control the keeping of the books and accounts of the Association and shall be responsible for the preparation of complete financial statements of the USLA. The financial statements shall consist of a balance sheet, income statement and other financial statements as may be required of this Association and shall be prepared annually or as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors. A record and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements shall be compiled by the Treasurer. All financial records shall be maintained on a calendar year January 1 to December 31. (Amended April 24, 2008) c) The Treasurer shall prepare a written financial status report for each meeting of the Board of Directors. d) The Treasurer shall cause the receipts and disbursements of the Association to be audited annually by a recognized firm of Certified Public Accountants authorized by the Executive Committee. A full written financial report shall be made annually at the spring meeting of the Board of Directors. (5) Executive DelegateAthlete Representative a) The Athlete Representative shall represent the interests of lifesaving athletes, as well as Field Code Changed the general viability and vitality of the United States Lifesaving Association as a wholeExecutive Delegate shall investigate and attempt to resolve those issues that arise during the daily operations of the USLA. b) The executive Delegate Athlete Representative shall prepare a written report including all duties and activities for each meeting of the Board of Directors. (6) Past President/Advisor a) The Past President/Advisor shall advise and assist the President in the administration of the Association. b) The Past President/Advisor shall coordinate the activities of all committees as may be determined by the President. c) The Past President/Advisor shall prepare a written report including all duties and activities for each meeting of the Board of Directors. (7) Liaison Officer a) The Liaison Officer shall maintain liaison and interface with all national and international organizations and shall be responsible for maintaining open lines of communication between the USLA and other national and international organizations. b) The Liaison Officer shall coordinate all exchanges between agencies. c) The Liaison Officer shall be the First Delegate to the International Lifesaving Federation unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 18 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 2
Article XI – Committees
Section 1 – Appointment The President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such standing and special committees, as may be necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of the USLA. The Committees shall include members from all geographic regions, where applicable. The Competition Committee shall include one voting member from each USLA Region and a nonvoting chairperson, appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The three Athlete Representatives who received the highest number of votes at the most recent election of Athlete Representatives shall also be voting members of the Competition Committee.
Section 2 – Standing Committees The following shall be considered standing committees: Membership, Public Education, Certification and Ways and Means. No Standing Committee shall be chaired by the USLA President, Vice President or Secretary.
Section 3 – Special Committees The following shall be considered special committees: Competition, Heroic Acts, Junior Lifeguard, Magazine Publication and Website. Additional committees and professional advisory boards may be created by the President or Executive Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors. No Special Committee shall be chaired by the USLA President, Vice President or Secretary.
Section 4 – Nomination’s Chairperson A. Selection At the Spring meeting of the Board of Directors, in each odd numbered year, the President shall appoint a Nominations Chairperson to solicit nominations for and interest in nationally elected and appointed officers. B. Notification The Nominations Chairperson shall notify the Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the election of candidates for national office. The Secretary shall include a copy thereof in a mailing to all Regional Boards of Directors, Directors and Officers. Said mailing may be accomplished by electronic means. C. Additional Nominations Any Director may make nominations from the floor at the time of the election.
United States Lifesaving Association Bylaws Page 23 of 29 Amended and/or corrected 12/10/09 ATTACHMENT 3
USLA Bylaws Article VIII, Section 4.B(2) states that "the Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the USLA Board of Directors between Board of Director's Meetings". This section pertaining to the authority of the Executive Committee does not mention the authority to act during Board of Director Meetings. The Executive Committee is listed on the USLA Board of Directors Meeting Agendas as a "Regular Committee". The USLA Bylaws do not mention "Regular Committees". USLA Bylaws Article XI, Sections 2 & 3 only mention "Standing Committees" and "Special Committees". Per these bylaw sections, the USLA President, Vice-President or Secretary may not chair a Standing Committee or Special Committee. My question: Is the USLA Executive Committee functioning in accordance with the USLA Bylaws? If the answer is yes, no action is needed. If the answer is no, then the USLA Executive Committee should function in accordance with the existing bylaws or the USLA Bylaws should be amended to reflect the current practice of the USLA Executive Committee. If the USLA Executive Committee has the authority to meet and act on behalf of the USLA Board of Director's during USLA Board of Director Meetings, that should be stated in the USLA Bylaws in the Section on the Authority of the Executive Committee (Article VIII, Section 4.B(2). What kind of committee is the USLA Executive Committee? Standing, Special or Regular? If the USLA Executive Committee is a Regular Committee, Regular Committees should be defined in the USLA Bylaws. If the USLA Executive Committee is a Standing Committee or Special Committee, it should adhere Article XI, Sections 2 & 3. Or, Article XI, Sections 2 & 3 should be amended to reflect the current practice of the USLA Executive Committee.
United States Lifesaving Association Certification Committee Committee Action Report
Date: May 1, 2010 Committee Chair: Tony Pryor Committee Members: Ralph Wagner – South Atlantic, Joe Pecoraro – Great lakes, Dave Shotwell – Mid Atlantic, Rich Hidalgo – Southwest, Ralph Goto – Pacific Islands, Gerry Falconer - Southeast
Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Adding salary to be a part of certification requirements. Mid Atlantic made the motion Southeast second. The motion did not pass. Committee Goals
1. Get the extensions caught up. 2. Have no extensions next time. 3. Better communication between Brenda, myself, and the CO’s Action Items (Requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Virginia Beach EMS – regular 2. Hawaii County – regular 3. Kanula Water Safety – regular pending swim policy 4. Santa Barbara _ regular 5. South Walton Fire District – regular 6. Panama Beach – regular 7. San Francisco – arrt 8. La County Dept of Parks & Rec Lake Lifeguards – advanced 9. Kill Devil Hills – regular 10. Nassau County 11. San Diego Fire Rescue – advanced 12. North Myrtle Beach – regular 13. Miami Beach - regular Attachments
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Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association Heroic Acts, Recognition, Awards, and Presentation Committee Action Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Committee Chair: Adrienne Groh Committee Members: Jim McCrady, SE, Gerry Falconer, SE, Ron Schafer, SW, Ralph Wagner, SA, Bill Richardson SW, Jerry Gavin, GL
Introduction
Thank you again to Bill for all of his hard work and dedication to this committee while I was unable to attend.
Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. The committee discussed the importance of updating the USLA website with the accurate title of the committee from Heroic Acts to Heroic Acts, Recognition, Awards, and Presentations 2. Work with website committee to have all of the applications for awards on the USLA website for ease of completion and submission 3. Update Heroic Acts to include non-lifeguard and lifeguard categories as approved from Williamsburg meeting 4. The committee discussed the increasing costs for the Medal of Valor, but that it is our most prestigious award and no one wants to get an inexpensive looking award. Research for other options with other vendors will be conducted. Committee Goals
1. Research more affordable medals of valor without decreasing the integrity of the award we present 2. Update the USLA website to provide appropriate and updated material with all changes as approved by the BOD
Action Items (Requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Don Lund approved from SE region; Martin County, FL for Medal of Valor 2. Chris Beeman approved from SE region; Ft. Lauderdale, FL for a Meritorious Act 3. Patrick O’Connor approved from SE region; Panama City Beach, FL for a Meritorious Act 4. April Barrientos, Robin Lang, Scottie Norton from SA region; Virginia Beach, VA for a National Lifesaving Award 5. Mark Feighan, PJ Liebig, Daryl McDonald, Sgt. Jon Vipond from SW region; San Diego, CA for Medal of Valor 6. Matt Blackford and Greg Meyer from SW region; Newport Beach, CA for Medal of Valor 7. Sean Starky from SW region; Newport, CA for Heroic Act 8. Sgt. Brian Brown from SW region; Manhattan Beach, CA for Heroic Act 9. Ryan Hoffman from SW region; Malibu, CA for Heroic Act 10. Dylan Jones from SW region; Los Angelus, CA for Heroic Act Page 1 of 2 Attachments
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Page 2 of 2 United States Lifesaving Association Junior Lifeguard Committee Action Report
Date: April 29,2010 Committee Chair: Reenie Boyer Committee Members: GL – Andy Braudy GC – Penny Shull MA – Tom Daly NE - NW – Bret Whitaker PI – Kalani Vierra SA – Mickey Hutto SE – JO Wagenhals SW – Charlotte graham
Introduction
Thanks for attending the JG Committee Meeting.
Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Confirmation of Committee members. 2. 2010 JG Bumper sticker Contest. Rules will be posted on the USLA web site. Entries are due at the Fall JG Committee Meeting. A $100 award for each division. 3. Additional information about the 2010 National competition will be posted on the USLA web site when available. 4. The JG USLA logo is in the process of being trademarked. 5. The new Junior Jam Editor is Jo Wagenhals. 6. All Committee Members enjoyed an informative Round Table. 7. I will work with the USLA attorney on the JG rule wording. We voted on the approval of Option #3. To allow paid JG Assistants or JG Aids to compete in the AA division. Approved wording will be presented at the Fall meeting. Committee Goals
1. Have more JG articles in the American Lifeguard magazine. Attachments
1. 2010 Bumper Sticker Contest Rules.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Action Report
Date: May 1, 2010 Galveston, TX
Committee Chair: Charlotte Graham Co-chair: Charlie Hartl
Members in attendance: GC: none GL: Joe Pecoraro MA: Ed Kiziukiewicz NE: none NW: Bert Whitaker PI: none SA: Tom Gill, Ralph Wagner SE: Gerry Falconer, Jo Wagenhals SW: Bob Moore Erik Schwarz
Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Reviewed the 2010-11 kit items; members were happy with the kit and Regional reps have submitted or will mail their portion of the cost-share for the barrel bags. 2. Discussed new benefit offer from American Income Life Insurance for a $2000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment offer to all USLA Members. This is a benefit with NO cost to the USLA and which includes some additional benefits such as a Health Services Discount Card and a Child Safe Kit. The Committee felt that there was no downside to offering this benefit. The Committee agrees that our mailing list must remain our property and that the Chair shall either handle the distribution of the benefit offer (which AIL produces and pays postage) or ask AIL to provide the cost of the excess postage to insert the offer into the current membership kit envelope. 3. As part of the discussion on the definition of a Professional Member, the committee discussed the concept of “dual membership”. While the entire committee agreed that individuals could not be Junior members of one chapter and Professional members of another during the same year, committee members were torn over whether guards could or should be Professional members of two or more chapters simultaneously in a given membership year. This situation happens occasionally due to automatic chapter sign-ups, switching jobs mid-member year, or for competition purposes. The committee reps were asked to bring this topic back to their Regions for further discussion and solutions if they are needed. They were also asked to watch for any dual memberships in their Region and note the possible reason(s).
Committee Goals
1. Research the possibility of towels as the primary 2011-12 Membership kit item
Action Items (Requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Approve the $2000 Accidental D&D benefit from American Income Life, subject to review of the contract by the legal advisor and approval of the contract by the Exec Committee. 2. Approve the amendment to Article V, Section 2 A, clarifying the definition of a Professional Member to include that the individual must be or have been a lifeguard, subject to review of the Bylaw Committee. Specific language follows.
Page 1 of 2 Proposed Amendment to USLA Bylaws Article V Membership, Section 2 A (1) 1.
SECTION 2 Individual Membership
A. Professional Member
To qualify as a Professional Member, an individual must:
(1) Be a direct, active, seasonal or retired individual (employee), including a chief, director or equivalent, who has worked in the capacity as a lifeguard of an ocean, bay, lake, river or open water lifesaving or rescue service.
Page 2 of 2 United States Lifesaving Association PUBLIC EDUCATION Committee Action Report
Date: April 29, 2010 Committee Chair: Denise Blair Committee Members: Penny Shull, Gulf Coast; Tom Daly, Mid-Atlantic; Gus Avila, Southwest; Craig Lumb, Southwest; Andrew Healy, Mid-Atlantic; Jo Wagenhals, Southeast; Andrew Braudy, Great Lakes; Reenie Boyer, Southwest; Rob Williams, Southwest; Peter Davis, Gulf Coast; Johnathan Billings, Southeast; Erik Schwarz, Southeast; Bill Humphreys, Southwest; Ralph Wagner, South Atlantic;
Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Facebook: The Public Education Committee has decided to explore creating a Facebook page for USLA. We will be able to post pictures, service announcements, public education information, warnings, etc. Pending the approval of the legal advisor and the Public Education committee, Erik Schwarz has volunteered to create a USLA Facebook page. The Public Education Chair and the Webmaster will have control over what is posted on the page. The chair has already spoken with the legal advisor and will meet with him to discuss further concerns.
2. Beach Safety Week Challenge: The committee will run the challenge again this year. The deadline to submit entries has been extended until July 15th. Agencies that hold programs promoting Beach Safety are asked to submit a written description of the program (250 words or less) as well as pictures. Entries should be submitted to Denise Blair at [email protected]
3. Beach Safety Week Proclamation: The committee feels a request should be sent to the President, Congress and the Senate for a National Beach Safety Week Proclamation. Denise Bair will send all necessary information to President Brewster.
4. Dark Side of the Sun DVD: Jack Biggane started the Mollie Biggane Foundation after his daughter, Mollie, passed away just 6 months after being diagnosed with Melanoma. The foundation has developed the Dark Side of the Sun DVD with a lesson plan to go along with the DVD as well as other material to educate the public on Melanoma. The Public Education Committee has been asked to help distribute the DVDs and materials, at no cost to us. The committee has agreed to distribute the material pending the Medical Advisor’s review of the material.
5. Lifeguard Board Game: The committee has been approached by a company from Great Britain to develop a USLA version of Great Britain’s Lifeboat Game. The company would be responsible for obtaining sponsors, manufacturing, and marketing the games. This could be a possible revenue source. The committee is very excited about the game. We are asking each region to submit 25 questions for the game. A PDF file with the current questions will be mailed out. The Contracted Staff Liaison will have ISG contact Paul Watton regarding the financial aspects of the game.
6. Bookmarks: The committee decided to purchase bookmarks with our revised USLA Safety Tips. The front of the bookmark will have the artwork from the winning JG Bumper Sticker with the Safety Tips on the back. The committee voted to purchase $4,000 worth of bookmarks.
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7. USLA Brochure: The current USLA brochure needs to be updated. Bill Humphreys will develop a template of a tri fold brochure and bring it to the fall meeting for the committee to review.
8. Website: When the website is updated, all of the public education material will be under one section. And the safety tips will be updated.
Committee Goals
1. To develop USLA Facebook Page. 2. To assist in developing the Lifeguard Board Game. 3. To update and revise the USLA brochure.
Page 2 of 2 United States Lifesaving Association Ways & Means Committee Action Report
Date: May 1, 2010 Committee Chair: Rob Williams Committee Members: Bob Moore SW Bert Whitaker NW Gerry Falconer SE Peter Davis GC Mickey Hutto SA Joe Pecoraro GL Charlie Hartl MA Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Reviewed 2009 Financial statements 2. Reviewed 2010 Year-to-Date Financial Statements. 3. Bert Whitaker asked if the combined federal account info not been put out to membership? 2009 we got just under $2,000. Once we get an e-mail blast system out we’ll be able to get much more from this 2010 Budget 4. Discussed the new website. Charlie Hartl pointed out that money from website comes out of two areas – the Data Base Line Item and the Website Line Item. The new website will cost $5,995, which is an annual fee and well within the “Website” line item. Thus, in the future the Data Base Line Item may be eliminated. This summer we’ll run parallel systems because there isn’t time to replace Interfuse system but there may be a way to run a hybrid system this summer. Once we go to the new system, Interfuse might invoice us for money that has not been paid. There’s a contract that was signed - although there’s work unfinished, we may be required to honor that amount. 5. Craig Lumb asked on behalf of the SW Region that $5,000 be given to competition host as seed money as a permanent arrangement beginning in 2011. Rob Williams said it would be appropriate to work on that for the 2011 budget, since this year’s budget it already set. Rob Williams spoke with Ed Zebrowski and Jay Butki about exploring the possibility of the competition committee’s budget operate more independently where they would retain the proceeds of competition revenue and clean up the process. Rob will take the issue to the Fall Meeting. Action Items (Requiring Board of Directors approval)
1. Gerry Falconer brought up that there will be 6-7 medals of valor for the fall meeting which would cause the Awards and Special Presentation committee to go over budget. Gerry made a motion that the Awards and Special Presentation committee be allowed to go over budget. Peter Davis seconded it and it passed unanimously. 1.1. Board of Directors passed motion.
Page 1 of 1 United States Lifesaving Association LIFESAVER EDUCATION Committee Action Report
Date: May 1, 2010 Committee Chair: Timothy Gallagher Committee Members: Joe Pecoraro, Eddie K, Bert Whitaker, Ralph Wagner, Rob McGowan
Introduction
The committee would like to recognize the efforts of deceased life member Dr. Jim McCloy who was instrumental in hosting the first USLA educational conference in Galveston over 20 years ago. It was a pleasure to be back in Galveston and to have Dr. McCloy’s wife Pat visit us at the conference.
Discussion Items (Not requiring Board of Directors approval)
Discussion centered on the next educational conference to be held in the Northwest Region. Topics for consideration for the next conference are: 1. Round table discussion on Agency’s public educational programs. 2. A presentation from the Coast Guard on their rescue swimmer program. 3. Placement of Lifeguard Agencies in the Emergency Management System. 4. Critical incident distress debriefing; Who, How, When, How accomplished.
Committee Goals
Future issues to discuss: 1. Contact Legal Advisor on possible legal issues for presentation. 2. Contact Medical Advisor on possible medical issues for presentation. 3. CEVO on Sand
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