An Experienced Pool Lifeguard knows what kind of swimmer you are before you even hit the water!
Lifeguards recognize potential at-risk swimmers by the way the way they approach the water. Strong swimmers will approach the water full of confidence. Confident swimmers usually enter the water in one fluid motion; they will jump, dive or even run to enter the water.
At risk swimmers approach the water with wide eyes and slow movements. They tend to sit with their feet in the water, hang out on the steps, or hold onto the rails or the sides of the pool.
That said, the smaller the child the more important it is to watch them carefully. Small newly mobile toddlers have no fear of the water and can quickly disappear without a sound. It takes less than two minutes for a child to drown. Almost half of the children who drown are within 23 meters of a parent or another adult.
At Risk Swimmers
Besides being able to recognize at risk swimmers as they approach the pool, lifeguards need to be able to recognize potential victims in the water. Some pools provide “risk guards” who continually rove around the pool looking for high-risk and weaker swimmers.
At risk swimmers are placed in four categories:
Boppers = non-swimmers who jump up and down to keep their nose and mouth above the water.
Floppers = toddlers who could fall into shallow water and drown easily. Parents should stay within arm’s reach of their toddler.
Hangers = non-swimmers who hold onto the ledge of the pool to get around instead of swimming or touching the bottom. The guards must make sure the water depth will not be over the hanger’s head if he or she lets go of the wall.
Breath-holders = swimmers who attempt to talk underwater, hold their breath for long periods or swim a long distance underwater and get into trouble
Drowning victims cannot wave or yell for help, except in rare circumstances;
Lifeguards know as we try to yell our mouths sink below the surface of the water and cannot remain above the surface of the water long enough to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. Drowning people will not stop struggling to keep their head up to wave for help. A lifeguard knows they only 20 to 60 seconds from beginning to end, to respond before submersion occurs.
What Parents Need to Know
Lifeguards are not there to babysit your children. Lifeguards will explain the pool rules to the young swimmers, and it is the parents job to help enforce and make sure their children understand the rules, so lifeguards can do their jobs.
Kids will quarrel. If the parents are present, lifeguards will remind them that it is their job to take care of their kids’ issues, otherwise it can interfere with the lifeguard’s job and put other swimmers in danger.
Note: Since children can drown in less than two minutes, and in two inches of water, lifeguards suggest parents keep small children at arm’s reach.
For instance, in Florida a mother was on her cell phone, on the pool deck while 3 of her kids drown just feet away from her. Because of occurrences like this, lifeguards often warn parents that reading books, chatting with others, and texting instead of supervising your kids can be dangerous, and increase chances of drowning.
Lifeguards always warn against running, sliding, and jumping as all cause high risks around the pool, so stop these actions before accidents happen.
Information like this is published with hopes of saving lives. But when knowing isn’t enough, lifeguards encourage swim lessons as well as supply pools, waterparks, lakes, rivers and ocean guards with lifesaving lifeguard equipment as well as bright men’s and women’slifeguard apparel for easy distinction against the crowds.
Before discussing Women’s Lifeguard Apparel, it is important to gain perspective. Women officially began lifeguarding in the 1970s. Lifeguarding is a tough demanding job. Originally male lifeguards were opposed to women in lifeguard positions because they did not think women could physically handle the job but the courageous act of Sharon Law helped change their tune. Law single handedly saved 20 people in one day. On one of her rescue trips that day, through the worse rip currents ever seen in that area, Ms. Law swam to shore towing five people on her rescue tube. This tremendous feat helped encourage the hiring of female lifeguards.
The Original Watermen Lifeguard Store
Lifeguard agencies had to make several quick decisions on the swimsuits needed for the new influx of women into the field. When women first appeared on the lifeguard scene, stylish and extremely functional women’s lifeguard uniforms didn’t exist. Lifeguard agencies struggled to find women’s lifeguard swimsuits that were designed to keep up with the rigor of the demanding job, and had the ability to hold up in the water, sun, wind and chlorine day after day. They needed a one stop lifeguard store, specializing in women’s lifeguard uniforms and other lifeguard equipment. So, Original Watermen, a Lifeguard Company was created, bringing unity, comfort and design to a much-needed lifeguard world.
Women’s Lifeguard Apparel: What to Wear?
With Original Watermen stepping up and solving the huge problem of where to get the women’s lifeguard uniforms, the next big question was; What to wear? The evolution of female lifeguard uniforms has come a long way since the early 1970’s. In the beginning lifeguard agencies required the females to wear one piece lifeguard swimsuits, but now most female guards are allowed a choice between a one-piece lifeguard swimsuits like the X-Back Elite, or two-piece lifeguard swimsuits like the rescue bikini. All the while sticking to the traditional lifeguard red color.
Straps and Bras
The key element with either women’s lifeguard swimsuit is their functionality while swimming. The lifeguard swimsuit straps must be secure from slippage and the bra section must stay put. Strap slippage while swimming to a rescue hinders the ability of the guard’s arms to move freely. The slippage creates annoying situations and possibly even dangerous conditions, causing the guard arms to become immovable at a critical time. Major distractions for all involved are created if the bra section of the women’s lifeguard swimsuit slips down, or slips open revealing the bosom of the guard. A good women’s lifeguard swimsuit protects your privacy when your cold, and is not transparent when wet. Women’s lifeguard apparel is made with 4-way super stretch material, Extra Life Lycra or sanded polyester, and provides you with a nice soft cup. Larger breasted women need a lifeguard swimsuit with a built-in bra like the snug-n-sturdy Racer Tank. Note: Polyester blends give you a suit that is quick drying, breathable provide UV protection and chlorine block.
Women’s One Piece Lifeguard Swimsuit
Positive features of the women’s one piece lifeguard swimsuit over the two-piece lifeguard swimsuit is that while in the water no matter the surf condition the bottom stays on. One piece women’s lifeguard swimsuits like the Performance Hybrid swimsuit is smooth and tight making you more aerodynamic and hydrodynamic. Suits made entirely with one piece of fabric will eliminate chafing and drag, more than a lifeguard swimsuit with multiple seams. One piece women’s lifeguard swimsuits offer a bit of compression aiding with muscle recovery.
The disadvantages and complaints of most women’s one piece lifeguard swimsuits vary. They have the tendency to ride up if the length of the bodice is to short, which makes things quite uncomfortable. Others are concerned that they don’t get the great tan that often comes when wearing a two-piece women’s lifeguard swimsuit. Though, going to the bathroom is the most common complaint with one-piece suits. Many solve this problem by just pulling the bottom to the side but for longer days, a two-piece women’s lifeguard swimsuit can save you time and energy when a bathroom break is needed. Finally, women’s one-piece lifeguard swimsuits hold in more body heat, which can be a big issue if it’s a hot day and a benefit if it’s a cold day.
Two Piece Women’s Lifeguard Swimsuits
The two-piece women’s lifeguard swimsuit feels less restrictive and more versatile. The perfect bottom has built in elastic and a drawcord waist for those rough water days. You can wear a pair of Super Girl Guard Shorts with a swimsuit top for extra bottom security. The biggest problem with women’s two-piece lifeguard swimsuits is a lot of them tie behind the neck. This can cause neck problems, headaches, aching shoulders and tremendous tension along the upper back area. Swimsuits like the Rescue Bikini, that we spoke of above, cross on the back keeping the tension off the neck and stops strap slippage.
In the end, it’s a personal preference. No matter what is decided, female lifeguards need dependable, high quality uniforms that hold up under extreme conditions. They need women’s lifeguard uniforms that are made with material that decrease drying time, breathe and stretch in all the right places, and that are comfortable enough to wear day after day. Great women’s lifeguard swimsuits come with chlorine block and UV protection for those long days in the sun.
The lifeguard store at Original Watermen equips lifeguards with the most flattering, efficient, comfortable, high quality women’s lifeguard apparel on the market and is preferred by most municipalities and parks across the globe, 75,456 to be exact!
At Original Watermen, our lifeguard bathing suits are satisfaction guaranteed. Made by lifeguards, for lifeguards, our suits are tested and proven to be the most durable in the industry. When California lifeguards tell us the most important things they look for with their suits, we make it. Lifeguard bathing suits have remained our specialty since the ’70s, and we continue to evolve, keeping Original Watermen at the forefront of the industry. While some providers haven’t changed their style or updated their fabrics in over a decade, Original Watermen continuously improves each and every design to make sure our agencies are satisfied and receive the most up-to-date comfort.
Our most popular lifeguard bathing suits range from our classic Pro Lifeguard Boardshort to our Watermen Stretch board short – a four-way stretch board short, worn by thousands of lifeguards nationwide. Becoming just as popular, our Retro Boardshort has a 5-inch inseam, is made with 100% Microfiber Polyester, and is made in several bright and industry-related colors. Also, chosen each year for California State Lifeguard Training, our Microshield Pocket Short is regulation at most beaches nationwide. Quick drying and supportive, our lifeguard bathing suitsfor women come in one- and two-piece designs. For women, Original Watermen also has a line of run-swim-run shorts for those very active beach days. Our women’s shorts can be worn solo, but also can be used as a cover-up. Also, instead of nylon, shorts such as our Women’s Pro Boardshort are sanded with polyester microfiber fabric – making it withstand sun and chlorine five times longer than competitor’s shorts.
Lifeguard bathing suits have to be able to withstand the most strenuous circumstances. When your job revolves around the ocean, chlorine and/or sun 14 hours a day, you need to know that your suit isn’t going to fail you. That’s why at Original Watermen, our lifeguard bathing suitesare made with comfort in mind, while also maintaining the durability to not let you, your agency or the public down. Whether it’s lifeguard bathing suits, rash guards, tees, hats, hoodies or equipment, Original Watermen supplies over 1,900 lifeguard agencies around the globe.
Original Watermen can supply any and all of your lifeguard needs, and most of our lifeguard bathing suits can also be embroidered with your agency’s name – just give us a call for more information. To see our full line of lifeguard bathing suits, visit our web site at www.originalwatermen.com or give us a call at 800-414-3181.
An Experienced Pool Lifeguard knows what kind of swimmer you are before you even hit the water!
Women’s Lifeguard Apparel
