The month of May means a lot of things to camp professionals:
· Final offers of employment going out to future staff
· The last few beds or day camp spots being filled
· Calls, emails, and texts from parents about travel arrangements, schedule changes, or what to pack
· The health care team tracking down missing forms
And for many camps, it means camp is coming back to life.
Pools are being reopened. Docks are going back into the water. Lifeguard training for new aquatics staff is being scheduled, with some classes beginning by the end of the month.
As your team works to bring the aquatics area back to life, now is the perfect time to assess your setup and equipment to ensure your staff is prepared for the summer season ahead.
Are Your Lifeguards Rescue Ready?
At minimum, lifeguards must be “rescue ready.” This means each guard on duty is equipped with a rescue tube, a hip pack with a mask & gloves, and a whistle.
® Rescue Tubes: Retire old or worn‑out rescue tubes and place replacement orders early, so new equipment arrives before the season begins.
® Hip Packs: Each lifeguard should have their own hip pack whenever actively guarding. One shared hip pack hanging in the lifeguard shack is not adequate. Ensure packs are stocked and accessible for every guard on duty.
® Whistles: For most pools and waterfronts, the whistle is the primary communication tool for lifeguards. Many aquatics professionals prefer the Fox 40 whistle, but regardless of brand, whistles must be reliable and loud enough to clearly communicate with swimmers, boaters, and fellow guards.
Supporting Your Team in the Sun
Long hours in direct sunlight increase fatigue and risk for lifeguards. Providing appropriate sun protection helps keep your team alert and supported on hot summer days. Consider:
® Sunshades or umbrellas
® Hats or visors
® Rash guards
® Polarized sunglasses or eye protection
And don’t forget—ensure sunscreen is ordered, stocked, and easily accessible.
Lifeguard Chairs – Placement Matters
Proper lifeguard positioning is critical to swimmer safety. Following aquatics incidents, investigations frequently reveal that guards were not positioned to clearly see a struggling swimmer.
® Chair Placement: Do not rely on last year’s chair placement. Each season should begin with a zone validation process to identify the best guard locations based on:
o Activities occurring in the water
o Number of guards on duty
o Time of day, lighting, and glare
® Elevated Chairs Only: If lifeguards are guarding from chairs, those chairs must be elevated. Deck‑level or average‑height chairs do not meet minimum lifeguarding standards and limit scanning effectiveness.
Docks, Decking, and Float Ropes
As waterfronts reopen and docks return to the water, it’s important to inspect the physical environment campers and staff will use daily.
® Dock and Pool Deck Inspections: Inspect all dock surfaces and pool decks for:
o Slips, trips, and fall hazards
o Loose boards or uneven surfaces
o Protruding nails or hardware
o Slivers or splintering wood on docks
® Float Ropes and Designated Swim Areas: Float lines are a crucial safety tool used to designate swim areas and separate swimmers by ability level—a common and effective risk‑management strategy. Before the season begins:
o Inspect float ropes to ensure they are intact and not dry rotted
o Check knots, clips, and connections
o Confirm buoys are present, visible, and in good condition
Tip: If replacement buoys are needed, consider cutting brightly colored pool noodles into sections and sliding them onto the rope for a cost‑effective and highly visible solution.
Emergency Equipment Check
Take time to thoroughly review emergency response equipment before the first swimmers enter the water.
® Backboards: If your backboard is old, wooden, or clearly past its prime, it’s time to invest in a new one. Ensure straps are intact and functional and the head immobilizer or neck brace is present and in good condition.
® AED: For pools or waterfronts with a designated AED, check that batteries are functional and confirm pads are current and not expired. For aquatic rescues, store first aid scissors and a towel with the AED so rescue staff can quickly remove clothing and dry the chest for pad placement.
® Masks & Fins: Programs with ponds or lakes should maintain masks and fins for underwater searches. These items can deteriorate during winter storage, so inspect them early and replace as needed. Ensure equipment is available for both training and emergency use.
Investing in Safety Is Investing in Your Staff
Strong culture and well‑trained staff are essential to a successful aquatics program—but even the best lifeguards need the right equipment to do their jobs effectively.
Investing in equipment now doesn’t mean everything has to be bright, shiny, and new. It does mean recognizing the increased risks around water activities and committing to providing lifeguards with the tools they need to keep swimmers safe.
Note: This is not a comprehensive list of everything that should be checked prior to swimmers entering your water. Camp leaders are encouraged to meet with their waterfront and aquatics leadership teams to identify additional areas that can be addressed now—before everyone arrives on site for training and a fun, successful summer in the water.