Lifeguard Training Program

Trainer

Elroy Daley PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer MSDT #161223
PADI Medic First Aid Instructor
Divers Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen Instructor
Specialties Instructor (seven diving areas)
LIFEGUARD

COURSE OVERVIEW

With the expansion of the tourism industry, an increase, by the local population in occupying the beaches on a daily basis and an alarming number of drowning incidents, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda found it necessary to set up a Lifeguard Division to increase the level of security within the shores of our beaches and to ensure that locals and visitors alike use the beaches and pools around the island in a secure and protective environment. With this in mind, the first Antigua and Barbuda Lifeguard Division within the Ministry of Labor & Public Safety was established on January 06th 2003.

This division is set up with the following objectives in mind:

1. To protect the life and well being of each member of the public using the beach for swimming and other like forms of recreation.

2. To prevent people from getting into situations which endanger themselves and others.

3. To plan and effect rescues, with utmost speed and efficiency, to person or persons who are in difficulties in the water.

4. To educate schools, clubs, churches and other organizations about the dangers associated with swimming and to teach them water safety techniques.

5. To develop a professional body of men and women endowed with the responsibility of saving and protecting lives.

All persons will be required to pass an evaluation test before training begins.

In-water (evaluation):

1. 450 yard (410 m) distance swim (under 10 minutes)
2. 10 minute surface rest
3. 10 yard (18.2 m) underwater swim (one breath)
4. 20 yard (36.6 m) underwater swim (three breaths)
5. Recovery of 10-pound (4.53 kg) weight

TRAINING

One of the major aims of the Lifeguard Division is to ensure that our lifeguards are both certified and qualified professionals. Some of the certification courses to be undertaken are as follows:

1. First Aid and CPR Courses - In this course, persons will be thought the three basic goals normally referred to as the 3 P's

A: preserve life
B: prevent further injury
C: promote recovery

2. Skin Diving Courses - This course is done through an organization called PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) had eight parts.

a. Three classroom sessions. Each session lasting approx. 30 minutes. Here students will have a chance to look at:

i. Fun of skin diving (going underwater without using scuba)

ii. Risks and avoidance

iii. Skin diving opportunities and equipment use (masks, snorkel and fins.)

iv. Diving Physics (pressure, equalization techniques, atmosphere)

b. Three confined water sessions where persons will have the opportunity to develop their swimming skills and review skills in the classroom.

c. Finally, two open water dives done for evaluation. At the end of these evaluation dives persons must be able to:

i. Remove and replace skin diving equipment at the surface (depth 15-20feet)

ii. Recover a 10lb weight from a 15 foot dive on one breath

iii. Assist and carry another diver 50-100yds

iv. Free dive 20-30 feet on three breaths of air

3. Lifeguard Training Course - key areas to be discussed:

i. The Professional Lifeguard

ii. Injury Prevention and Facility Safety

iii. Caring for Head, Neck and Back Injuries

iv. Waterfront Life guarding

v. Waterpark Life guarding

vi. Preventing Disease Transmission

vii. Breathing and Cardiac Emergencies

viii. Patron Surveillance

ix. Emergency Preparation

x. Rescue Skills

xi. First Aid

xii. Waterfront Life guarding

xiii. Use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

4. Persons, who have completed all courses and have done exceptionally well, will have a chance to be a part of the first Antigua and Barbuda Dive Rescue Team. However, persons enrolled in this program should have a full medical done before beginning any diver courses. Courses to be undertaken:

i. Open Water Diver Course

ii. Advanced Open Water Diver Course

iii. Rescue Diver Courses

iv. Divemaster Course

v. Oxygen Provider Course.

At the end of each course, a written examination will be given where persons are required to get an average of 75%.

CONCLUSION

With the assistance of the Government and citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, the division intends to provide continued water safety awareness for everyone. It is also our goal to set a standard, above all others, to assist in the marketing and selling of the tourism industry by ensuring that qualified and trained lifeguards guard our nation's beaches. It is also our intention to make Antigua and Barbuda the #1 country in the world where water safety is concerned.

We look forward to your undaunted support as we work together to create an environment of safety on the beaches and pools around the island.