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Lifeguard Uniform and Equipment Requirements

Lifeguard Uniform and Equipment Requirements

lifeguard uniforms, rescue equipment, original watermen, stay salty, earn your salt, lifeguard gear, earn your saltLifeguard Uniform Requirements

Lifeguard uniform requirements are basically the same throughout the world, men’s lifeguard board shorts, women’s lifeguard swimsuits and t-shirts printed with the words Lifeguard or guard. Board short lengths are designated by each lifeguard agency. Long board shorts can hinder leg movement and interfere with rescues. Lifeguard apparel should always be made from rash free material, lifeguard board shorts should have oversized closure pockets with a locking loop and drain holes that allow the water to get out instead of weigh you down. Men’s lifeguard boardshorts should not drag or stick to your legs when wet. Women’s lifeguard swimsuits must stay up on the shoulders and their bottoms should stay on through different size surf. Neither should fade from the sun or pool chemicals.

Easily Identifiable

Clearly distinguishable and visible lifeguard uniforms are a must. Lifeguard uniform conformity, stops confusion and can help save lives. When agencies fail to require matching uniforms and let the lifeguard choose what to wear, then lifeguard visibility and identification becomes almost impossible especially when a high volume of people are present. Large facilities can have hundreds of patrons in the water at the same time. This means teams of lifeguards, working together must be able to spot their partners quickly in and out of the water. Lifeguard uniforms tie the agencies together and instill respect for the guards.

Colors

Lifeguard uniform colors in the past have consisted of mostly red or navy with white labeling. Today agencies stick with traditional colors and others pick out uniform colors that match the theme of their park or their particular branding.

Beaches and water parks that don’t have identical lifeguard uniforms have been sued when patrons were unable to find a guard when needed.

 Lifeguard Equipment Requirements

Rescue Cans should be the best in the industry; beware of imitations! The Marine Rescue Patrol Can was developed by L.A. County Chief Lifeguard Bob Burnside over 30 years ago.  Marine Rescue Patrol Cans are made with the thickest wall construction on the market and have a heavy nylon shoulder rescue strap attached to a nylon line.

The lifeguard rescue can or sometimes called rescue tube is the most used piece of rescue equipment in the world. It is used by lifeguards at most pools, waterparks, oceans, lakes and rivers. Well made rescue tubes are made from Ensolite foam with heavy vinyl covering. Rescue tubes made with tapered ends provide comfort and help to reduce drag. Rescue tubes can support both the victim and rescuers weight during the rescue. They are the preferred choice of the American Red Cross and are used by lifeguard training agencies around the world.

Lifeguard rescue fins help with long distance rescues or battling strong rip currents. Lifeguard rescue fins are designed to propel you through the water with minimal effort.

Lifeguard rescue fins like Da Fins are used for jetty rescues and rock hopping, due to their smaller size. All lifeguard fins must float so that they will wash into shore if lost in the water.

Lifeguard rescue fin the Duck feet fins are also highly acclaimed and are the #1 choice by Navy.

Lifeguard backboards are used by lifeguards to secure and transport physically injured victims. A popular choice by agencies is the Watermen Pediatric Spineboard. The polyethylene shell of this spineboard is heavy duty and x-ray translucent, so moving the injured victim from board to bed for x-rays is not necessary.

 Sun Protection

Though not required lifeguards should use sun protection. Solrx a great sunscreen that stays on all day and will not run into your eyes.

Lifeguard rashguards provide an extra layer of SPF 50 protection from the sun and also provides warmth.

Skin cancer of the ears is becoming a growing dilemma. Broad brimmed hats like the La Palapa Hat a straw hat, works great and was originated in the 1960’s by California beach lifeguards. The wide rim covers and protects the ears.

Tonga hats are also a wide brimmed hat that is the most popular hat used by lifeguard agencies in California.

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So, You Want to Be a Lifeguard? Understanding Lifeguard Duties

So, You Want to Be a Lifeguard? Understanding Lifeguard Duties

beach lifeguards, pool lifeguards, lifeguard equipment, lifeguard gear, watermen boarshorts, watermen suitsMillions of visitors and locals hit the beaches, lakes, rivers and pools each year. But sometimes we need a little help, and there are lifeguards in place to do just that. No matter what kind of lifeguard you are, your one number task is not rescuing people, instead your main duty is to prevent and protect the public from getting into a dangerous situation in the first place. As a lifeguard, you are constantly looking for potential danger, and your job is to warn people before that danger becomes an issue.

Surveillance, Emergency Care, Maintenance Duties

Lifeguards are responsible for keeping swimmers’ safe, and must be able to intervene in dangerous situations. During lifeguard training, lifeguards learn to identify emergency situations quickly.

Lifeguards caution people against using unsafe areas, or using illegal conduct, such as drinking or fighting. That means as a lifeguard you must be able to remain calm in all situations, if you panic or show fear the victim or the trouble maker will know it.

Beach Lifeguards

Beach lifeguards will warn people about rip currents, remind parents that waves will knock their children down, and to keep your loved ones within view. Beach lifeguards must be proficient in using two-way radios for contact, and coordinate activities between the different emergency rescue units. Beach lifeguards also have to maintain daily information on weather and beach conditions.

Beach lifeguards are constantly scanning the water in a similar pattern as a pool lifeguard, but they have a much larger surface to cover, and can rarely see below the water, so it is important to keep the beach lifeguard vigilant. Most facilities frequently rotate beach lifeguards from station to station to help them stay fresh and alert, and to offer breaks from surveillance responsibilities. Beach lifeguards, as well as pool lifeguards must be distraction-free, that means no cell phones and other items that take their eyes off the water.

Pool Lifeguards

Pool lifeguards keep patrons’ safe around and in the pool, from reminding people to walk, so they avoid slip and fall injuries, to stopping rough housing. They also teach swim lessons, and encourage things like the buddy system to keep you safe. Beach lifeguards supervise the use of water slides, and diving boards (if applicable), as well as pool maintenance, such as checking the swimming pools chlorine and pH levels.

Pool lifeguards scan the water, just like beach lifeguards do, looking for swimmers in trouble. They are trained to make a scanning pattern, by sweeping their eyes side to side or up and down looking at sections of the zone they are responsible for. This scanning method will happen every 10 seconds. It is suggested that they change their posture, position, and pattern every five minutes to keep them aware.

Both Beach and Pool Lifeguards

  • Provide emergency care and treatment such as CPR, and or use equipment like using spine boards and rescue tubes, as required until the arrival of EMTs. This year in particular beach lifeguards have had to administer first aid for stingray stings, using portable stingray kits.
  • Both lifeguard types perform various maintenance duties, as directed, to maintain a clean and safe facility.
  • Both lifeguard types should have a professional attitude and appearance at all times. This means proper lifeguard apparel, from lifeguard boardshorts for men, to lifeguard swimsuits for women.
  • Both lifeguard types will prepare daily activity reports.

Now that you understand some of the day to day duties of a lifeguard, our next posts will cover what it takes to get through lifeguard training, followed by lifeguard certification and testing, and ending with what to expect at lifeguard tryouts. Once this series is complete, you will have all the information you need to make an advised decision on whether or not becoming a lifeguard is right for you.

What to Pack for Surfing in Baja?

What to Pack for Surfing in Baja?

original watermen, stay salty, earn your salt, baja surf trip, surfshirts, sun screen.Baja California Mexico is a surfers paradise but also a brutally harsh environment for humans to survive in. Adventures in Baja, away from the main towns, are not for the air conditioning hotel going types. Dirt is everywhere, cacti are everywhere, and there is no fresh water to speak of. No wonder it hasn’t been developed. Traveling in this dusty land requires street smarts, survival instinct, and experience. You will most likely need two of everything because Baja giveth and Baja taketh away. Expect to get lost, and expect to get stuck, but most of all, expect an epic adventure. The following is a list of some of the essentials I like to bring with me when exploring the remote reaches of this barren land.

1)      Full size spare tire– Although there are llanteras, or tire shops in English, it is a necessity to have a full sized spare when searching for that remote point break. I have guys get stuck fifty miles from the main paved road and I have had to tell them, “Sorry. Best of luck as there is nothing I can do. I will tell the next campo owner.” Note: It could be days until the word travels down the road and a tire guy comes to help you.

Repair kits help and so do compressors, but they are both useless if you shred a tire.

2)      Water– It is hot and it is dry. It’s a desert, so this should go without saying, but bring twice the water you think you will need for your trip, including enough water for cooking and cleaning.

3)      Food– While a lot of old Baja lizards don’t bring ice or coolers on their multi week or month adventures, it is possible to bring refrigerated goods. Let them enjoy their warm beer and rice dinners. The new technology in coolers allows you to keep block ice for well over a week at a time. Just keep the cooler out of the sun by hanging your boardshorts on it. There are few things better than a cold beer after an all-day surf session.

Food should be easy to prepare and able to survive a bumpy truck ride. Sealed packages of non-refrigerated chorizo and a few eggs make a great easy breakfast. Bring a lot of tortillas and anything else that doesn’t require a tremendous amount of water to cook. But if you forget tortillas I suggest getting them fresh there! If you are camping near a local fish camp, you can usually buy fish off the locals for super cheap, and even pay them to take you fishing when the surf gets flat. I have seen guys paddle out to shrimp boats offshore and buy a kilo bag (2 pounds) of shrimp for 20 U.S. dollars.

Bring a lot of food, but don’t go overboard. Plan your meals. Water and food are some of the heaviest items and take up most of the space in your vehicle.

4)      Shovels– Even four-wheel drive vehicles get stuck. Plus, you will need this to bury your poop. It’s a smart idea to dig a hole deep enough, so the coyotes wont dig it up again. Go the bathroom as far away from where others are camping as you safely can. It is sad when you drive all that way and see toilet paper scattered everywhere in the bushes behind camp.

5)      Lighting- Solar lights are the way to go. There is no shortage of sun in Baja. The company Luci makes a great light that compacts into almost nothing, but is quite bright as a canopy light. Make sure everyone in your camp has a good headlamp. It can be quite annoying to hold a flashlight while cooking.

6)      Shade- Having shade and battling the wind is a tough egg to crack. Pop up type tents are easily blown away, so bring lots of rope and stakes to hold them down. Be prepared for the wind to switch without warning. Baja is almost always windy.

Note: your shade structures also make a convenient place to hang a surf shirt or rashguard. The sun and sand are relentless and unless you are a scorpion or reptile you will shrivel up and go crazy if you can’t get out of the elements some way or another.

7)      Shoes- Bring a few pairs of sandals and some shoes or boots. Your feet will thank you. Make sure you put them out of reach of coyotes, they are known to go through your trash and take shoes in the night.

8)      Sun Protection–  Bring a good hat like a snapback and lots of sunscreen. I suggest bringing SOLRX. And bring an extra pair of sunglasses.

9)      Bug spray – For certain rare areas near fresh water. They are relentless.

10)  First aid- The basics, and know how to use them, and where the closest real hospitals are. Fin cuts are no joke down there. They are trip enders.

But far worse are stings from Sting Rays, which are relentless in Baja, so I suggest a portable sting ray kit as well.

11)  Insurance- Get good Mexican insurance for your vehicle, it is required and will get you out some serious trouble if you do crash or get pulled over. Note: You can easily purchase this insurance right before crossing the border.

I hope this list helps, as these are just a few items you should have in Baja, anytime of the year. Also, please know, that this list could go on and on, so remember to be prepared for everything and anything, including some of the most incredible morning sunrises over the ocean.

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6 Things to Pack for the Beach

6 Things to Pack for the Beach

Rescue Tube, Original Watermen, Lifeguard equipment, original Watermen gear, Beach necessities, stay saltyThe beach is full of people, tourists, locals, professionals, and true watermen. Tourists flood to the beach with cars and wagons piled high with ice chests, towels, chairs and huge umbrellas or shade tents. Tourists wear different clothes; they do different things and have different needs at the beach then the locals, professionals or true watermen. Tourists can be honeymooners, families full of kids, retirees, or tourist from different parts of the country or those from different counties. Each person is unique but they all have the same desires, a happy, safe, fun time at the beach. We have watched decades of people flock to the beach and in doing so have compiled a list of essentials for newbies and tourists heading to the beach.

1)      Sunscreen

The number one essential is a great sunscreen. Sunscreen selections can be overwhelming. There are so many choices, UV factors, ingredients, spray-on vs. wipe-on, waterproof or not, and lotions vs. oils. Sunscreen can be a waste of money if it washes off immediately when you go in the water. Get a good sunscreen like SolRx. SolRX was voted best in its class. SolRX sunscreen is medical grade zinc based formula that goes on quick and will last 8 hours with one single application. SolRX sunscreen doesn’t clog the pores like some of the thick and greasy lotions and spray-ons. SolRX is recommended by dermatologists for those with acne or sensitive skin. It is both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. It protects baby soft skin as well as aging skin. It doesn’t run and burn the eyes when exposed to the water.

2)      Retro Swim Trunks

So, you’re not into the classic board short, try retro swim trunks. Retro swim trunks offer 2 side-seam pockets with mesh gussets for stream lined water flow, so your pockets don’t fill with water and pull your trunks off. The mesh gussets also release air so you don’t get that big balloon look. There are different kinds of mesh liners, rough and brassy and the silky, soft Cool-Plus liners that take the Retro Swim trunks to the highest-level of comfort. The liners are ultra comfortable, supply super support and they wick away moisture, keeping you dry and high. The waist band is elastic and holds up in the waves.

Rashguards, Original Watermen, Lifeguard equipment, original Watermen gear3)      Rashguards

Don’t take your kids to the beach in an old t-shirt. They fill with water and can drag your child down in the water. Cotton t-shirts stretch and tangle up in their legs make movement difficult.  Sand slips in between the cotton woven fabric and causes terrible rashes on many parts of your child’s body. Rashguards are tightly woven, light weight, breathable, super quick drying beach shirts. Most provide UV protection and some give a rash free guarantee.

Kids also need other things such as swimsuits and hats. Check out the Jr. lifeguard selection of beach wear, it has everything needed to outfit children with top notch, high quality gear that is made to stay up, stay-on, and has UV protection built in.

4)      Stingray Kit

There has been an influx of stingrays this year. Be sure to shuffle your feet while you are in the water. If stung get the person’s foot into very hot water immediately. Stingray kits are perfect and easy to use in such an emergency. The stingray kit contains everything you need to make sure the stung person goes without 6 hours of excruciating pain. The stingray kit is light weight and convenient to carry. Every parent should have one.

5)      Hats

Besides a huge umbrella, you need shade to stop the sun from beating down on the top your head. A hat also helps block UV rays, as well as sand glare. We have a great selection of hats. They have a variety of comfortable baseball style hats with terrific beach logos. Check out the snapback, trucker and 5 panel style hats. If you want more protection try a Tonga hat, La Palapa hat or Guard Flex visor.

6)      Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a personal choice. Make sure they wrap around your eyes and don’t leave areas in which the sun can sneak in and damage your eyes. Spend some money and get glasses that have both 400 UV protection and UVB protection. Polarized glasses reduce the glare coming off the asphalt, sand and water.

These essentials will ensure you have a fun, safe day at the beach. We strive to supply all beachgoers with the perfect gear for the beach.

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What to do When Stung by a Stingray?

What to do When Stung by a Stingray?

If you haven’t then consider yourself very lucky. Stingrays inflict a whole world of pain on their unfortunate victims, and the only treatment is to endure the gut churning pain, while soaking the injured limb in borderline scalding water.

Stingrays are everywhere in the United States

There are twenty-two different species of stingrays in the United States waters. They span from coast to coast, in bays and oceans, in brackish to salty waters and the only way to prevent a stingray strike would be to wear steel lined combat boots while swimming. Sure the ‘stingray shuffle’ works for most but eventually you will be stung if you spend most of your days at the bays and beaches we love so much. It is estimated that over 2,500 people will be stung in the United States this year.

I have been a lifeguard in Southern California for over ten years, and in that time, I have treated countless stingray victims. No one is safe. I have seen victims at every location imaginable and stings to pretty much everybody part, so pretty much if there is salt in the water there is a chance of getting stung by one of these pesky critters.

At lifeguard stations throughout the country the standard treatment is to soak the foot in hot water typically about 112 degrees or as hot as you can stand without burning the skin. However, there is great risk involved when you are treated at the lifeguard station. Lifeguards reuse the buckets for stingrays and these bloody buckets are supposed to be cleaned and ‘sterilized’ after each treatment. This doesn’t always happen and there have been some cases where people are infected with a serious blood borne diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C following a treatment by lifeguards. The buckets you soak your feet in at the lifeguard station have seen hundreds of bloody feet and all it takes is a little mistake by the cleaner of the bucket to seriously change your life. The only way to completely avoid accidental infection by something much worse than a stingray sting is to use a sterile single use stingray bag. The bag should be free standing when water is poured in so you’re not stuck holding it up while enduring the excruciating pain. The stingray bags that are sold here… are both free standing and insulated so you just need to add hot water and head straight home or to the hospital.

Why you need a stingray kit

 Many remote beaches have no lifeguards and especially no access to hot water. At our lifeguard store we have patented a product for just that occasion. It is a safe chemical reaction kit that heats water on the go anywhere. Just add water.

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6 Things to Pack for the Beach

Must Haves for Beach Safety? A Lifeguard Speaks About the Essentials You Need

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Here is a list of beach and safety essentials put together by a professional lifeguard.  To date, most of the “What to take to the beach?” lists say the same thing, that is why our lifeguards have come up with a comprehensive list we guarantee, you never thought of. And for your convenience, everything is easily found within our lifeguard store.

 

Prepare for Everything

1)       Sting Rays

Every family needs to carry a Stingray Kit with them to the beach, which can be purchases at our lifeguard store. Lifeguards report hundreds of stingray stings all along the coast, thus are warning swimmers to beware of the stingrays when entering the water. Though sting rays are not aggressive, beachgoers are stung by accident more often than you can imagine. Stingray stings are one of the most common dive and beach-related injuries.  And if you have ever experienced the sting, you know it needs to be taken care of immediately. The excruciating pain if left unattended will put down even the toughest individual for 6-8 hours.

What should you expect if stung?

The person feels an immediate, sharp, excruciating pain that peaks in 1-2 hours. The wound bleeds. The wounded area may become swollen and may turn blue or red. Lymph nodes may become swollen.

Serious symptoms:jo8

Nausea

Vomiting

Fever

Chills

muscle cramps

tremors

paralysis

fainting

seizures

elevated heart rate

decreased blood pressure

Death may even occur, so fast action is needed. By using a Portable Ray RX Stingray Kit from our lifeguard store, you can stop symptoms before they start.

2)       Drowning

Lifeguards always say, “Don’t drown your kids with standard heavy cotton t-shirts”, these tend to become heavy and bothersome while swimming. Instead we recommend Rashguards (Surf Shirts), they are light weight and breathable. Rashguards are used by lifeguards and the public against rashes caused by abrasions and nasty sunburns from extended exposure to the sun. Rashguards can be worn by themselves, or under a wetsuit.

3)       Rashes

Combining sand, sun, and salt water with surfboards, life vests, or wetsuits create the perfect environment for beastly beach rash. Again, in the lifeguard store our Rashguards or surf shirts provide a barrier between the rash causing elements.

Our lifeguard store also has lower body rashguards. You can wear them under boardshorts, wetsuits or by themselves. At Original Watermen, we created the watermen short (our version of compressions shorts), where we offer a rash-free guarantee, as it is made with antimicrobial odor eliminating fabric.

 

4)       Jelly Fish

Lifeguards deal with jelly fish stings daily. Jelly fish are unseen in the approaching wave; therefore, stings are a common. The tentacles trailing from the jellyfish body inject you with venom from small barbed stingers. Jellyfish stings vary greatly in severity. Getting stung results in immediate pain and red marks on the skin. Some jellyfish stings may cause illness and in rare cases jellyfish stings can cause death. Protection can be improved by putting on a rashguard life the ones we carry at our lifeguard store.

Jelly fish sting

First and foremost, seek emergency medical help if you feel you are having a severe allergic reaction, if the sting is from a box jellyfish or if the sting covers more than half an arm or leg.

What should you do once stung?

Get out of the water

Remove all tentacles by scraping the affected area with a credit card

Immerse the affected arm or leg immediately in hot water for at least twenty minutes

 

This is another instance where the sting ray kit from our lifeguard store can help, as it contains a self-contained heating system.

Rinse the area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds (If vinegar is not available make a paste of baking soda and water, and apply over the affected area)

5)       Sun Danger

Of course, you need sun protection in and out of the water. At the lifeguard store we offer Solrx sunscreen. Solrx was voted best in its class, and lasts 8 hours with one single application, plus it stays on in the water. Solrx sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists and is both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

Don’t forget your hats

We have a wide variety of hats in our lifeguard store. Not only do hats protect your face from the bad (UV) rays of the sun, but a hat also protects your eyes, ears and the top of your head from disease and skin cancer. Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays has been linked to eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration.

How does the sun affect you?

UV rays radiate from the sun and come from many directions and are reflected from the ground, water, snow, sand and other bright surfaces. Sun damage to eyes occurs even on cloudy days as the sun’s rays pass through haze and thin clouds. Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing a hat and sunglasses. In our lifeguard store, we have a quiver of hats, which offer you an array of options, for any day and any condition.

Now you have a complete list of essential equipment needed for a safe day at the beach, and all can be quickly found on our Original Watermen website and lifeguard store.

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