Lifeguard Operations Manual

24.13. LGS RWL 2.6 Water Surveillance

Introduction

The below information should detail the pool supervision and considerations for lifeguards and pool operations.

Operating water quality

  • Water quality at the Riverway Facility will comply with guidelines – Qld Health Water Quality Guidelines for Public Aquatic Facilities (December 2019)
  • Chlorine / PH Levels will be monitored and controlled by contractors from TCC Council is to be contacted immediately and swimmers cannot enter the pool until rectified.

Lagoon maintenance

Programmed preventative maintenance of swimming pools is primarily carried out in the winter season. Maintenance issues that arise during the operational season will be dealt with in a timely manner.

Pool Supervision

  • People with medical conditions are encouraged to inform the Lifeguards prior to entering the water.
  • Children 5 years and under must be accompanied into the Riverway Lagoons Precinct by an adult that is someone 16 years and older and always supervised at arm’s reach.
  • Children 10 years and under must be accompanied into the Riverway Lagoons Precinct by an adult that is someone 16 years and older and actively supervised at all times.
  • Lifeguards must not be in the water whilst supervising swimmers unless 3 or more Lifeguards are rostered on this could be more ratios, etc. if the swimmer to lifeguard ratio is over 100.
  • Lifeguards are to utilise appropriate surveillance techniques taught within SLSQ certificates, i.e., Grouping, counting etc.
  • Lifeguards to advise observed high risk swimmers, i.e. non swimmers, to stay in shallow areas.
  • Lifeguards to notify the Townsville Roving Lifeguard and NBB supervisor if swimmer to Lifeguard ratios are greater than 1 to 100
  • Lifeguards to use appropriate positioning throughout their shift (refer to LGS RWL 5.4 Lifeguard Positions)
  • Lifeguards to use appropriate rotating procedure, (refer to LGS RWL 5.5 Rotations)

Patterns

Scanning patterns can be used to assist a Lifesaver in visual scanning, but an individual must choose or develop a method suited to them. Generally speaking, move your eyes over your area of responsibility looking left, in front and to the right. Remember to periodically also look behind you where relevant.

The following are commonly used scanning patterns:

Pattern Description
Horizontal Scanning Moving from left to right starting on the horizon and working back towards your feet
Vertical Scanning Moving left to right starting at the limit of your peripheral vision and concluding at the opposite end of peripheral vision
Grouping Group users in an area by activity such as swimming, non-swimmers, wading
Head counting Count the number of heads in the area. E.g. surfers intermittently visible in large swell or surf
Tracking When relevant, focusing on a particular person in the water and tracking their movement such as a surfer or bodysurfer. This is useful when monitoring high risk groups
Hotspots When scanning the water, be sure to always look at identified hazards including rip current, headlands, shallow sandbanks, etc. A scan of the water should always consider above and below the surface

Additional scanning patterns that you may find useful are:

Pattern Description
Connecting the dots Moving from head to head in an area
Letters Using a letter pattern to scan

Use of hearing and smell

Scanning techniques should be used in conjunction with the other senses. The senses of smell and hearing can also assist in carrying out duties. A Lifesaver may hear shouting which alerts them to a Learner Guide person in distress, or hear the sound of a vehicle accident behind an area of direct supervision. Smell can also alert Lifesavers to danger and hazards such as fire or fuel leaks.

Duration

The ability of a Lifeguard to maintain effective scanning reduces with time. It is recommended that scanning from a fixed location is limited to a maximum period of 30 minutes before rotation or a change of position needs to occur. If resources permit, this duration should be reduced down to 15 minutes per period ensuring at least 15 minutes break from scanning completely every hour. The maximum periods of duration are recommended to address some of the factors that affect scanning.2

Factors affecting scanning

Factor Solution
Positioning:
  1. Physical obstructions affect the view of the Lifeguard
  2. Elevation (observing from a height) can be an aid
  3. When observing from an elevated position the Lifeguard must remember to check underneath them too
  1. Use an elevated position, a tower is ideal
Boredom
  1. Causes attention span and vigilance to be reduced
  2. Often associated with monotony of duties
  3. Has a negative impact on morale and performance quality
  1. Rotation and duty variation
  2. Using a radio to report observations to other team members can also aid concentration
Fatigue
  1. Weariness from physical or mental exertion, increased by lack of rest or sleep
  2. Affects alertness, attention span and vigilance
  3. Increases stress levels further reducing the effectiveness of scanning
  1. Ensure you are well rested prior to duties and take regular breaks
  2. Remain hydrated and eat regularly
Stress
  1. Inability to adequately respond to mental, emotional or physical demands
  2. Signs may be cognitive, emotional, physical or behavioural including poor judgment, negativity, anxiety, mood fluctuations, tension, and headaches
  3. If a Lifesaver is stressed, for example through their perception that they cannot compete all the tasks required of them, they will be less effective at scanning
  1. Ensure you discuss or raise issues that may be causing you stress and may affect your ability to complete your duties
  2. Seek additional training opportunities to build confidence
Inexperience
  1. The limited extent of participation in lifesaving duties or in another relevant field
  2. Experience develops skills and knowledge that can assist individuals in carrying out their duties
  1. Exposure to a variety of experiences over time including on-the-job training, variation in work duties and upskilling
Substance influence
  1. Whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol judgment, attention levels and reactions are impaired and the body tires more easily
  2. This can place both the Lifesaver and patients at grave risk
  3. Blood alcohol levels remain high for 12-20 hours after the last drink
  1. Check for any possible side effects of medication
  2. Do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol the night before duty
Other environmental factors
  1. Glare can make it difficult to see and tire the eyes
  2. Background noise can make it hard for the Lifesaver to pick up on sounds that may alert them to issues, or cause distraction
  1. Glare can be reduced by using polarised lenses (which also assist with seeing below the surface of the water)

Summary tips

  1. Every few minutes change your posture – standing, sitting, walking – movement helps to keep you alert
  2. Vary the direction you observe – left, centre, right
  3. To reduce eye fatigue, move your head and eyes together
  4. Regularly vary your scanning pattern
  5. Duty variation/rotation will keep you more alert
  6. Ensure you are well rested when starting duty
  7. Leave your mobile phone in your bag

Lifeguard Positioning

The positioning of Lifeguards has been developed from analysing hazard zones and the areas that offer the most comprehensive supervision of both the upper and lower lagoons.

Upper Lagoon High risk areas

  • Ledges surrounding the central raintree, due to change in water depth
  • Channel that runs parallel to café, due to change in depth and lack of line of sight
  • Water entrance in front of arts center, due to the distance from the central observation point under the raintree.

The highest risk locations on the upper lagoon are the ledges surrounding the central raintree and the channel that runs parallel to the cafe. It is very common for swimmers to slip off the ledges and slip into the channel. Another common trend that occurs is swimmers losing their footing at the western end closest to the library due to the gradual change in depth. Depending on populations and the time of year will dictate where lifeguards are located on the upper lagoon.

Lower lagoon high risk areas

  • Ledge joining the children’s pool to the lower lagoon, due to change in water depth
  • Infinity wall due to large drop, lack of line of sight, and change in water depth.

The positioning of the lifeguards on the lower lagoon is based around two high risk zones. This being the transition from the children’s pool to the lower lagoon and the infinity wall adjacent to the Ross River. It is very common for children to climb over the retaining wall and fall into the deep lower lagoon. It is also common for swimmers to lose their grip on the infinity wall and find themselves in deep water. Depending on where the risk is deemed greater, will inform the Lifeguards where to situate themselves, whether this be closer to the children’s pool or closer to the infinity wall. When the risk is deemed equal between both zones Lifeguards will position themselves at the top of the stairs affording the most comprehensive supervision.

When a third static Lifeguard is on duty one Lifeguard would be situated under the central raintree while the other would be. When a third Lifeguard is on duty, one Lifeguard would be situated under the central raintree while the other two Lifeguards would be located at the highest risk identified on both the upper and lower lagoon.

Lifeguards are to rotate between the upper and lower lagoon/supervision zones every 20-30 mins or on a need-by-need basis. Lifeguards are only to stand together to only discuss information about a supervision zone, eg noting high risk swimmer, lack of supervision, warning that have been issued before starting the next rotation.

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