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The watermen crew takes on Chicama…

The watermen crew takes on Chicama…


SEPTEMBER 26,2018

WATERMEN CREW: CHICAMA PERU SURF TRIP

Let’s state the obvious here, this is one wave you’ll dream about forever and our crew is stoking to surf it. Chicama is best known for having the longest wave in the world, then you can mosey over to Pico Alto for one of the biggest waves in the world, not a bad place huh? Don’t even get us started on the food there, ceviche for days… Maybe not the “American Dream” but sure as heck the “Watermen Dream”.

We’ll land in Lima take a jumper flight to Trujillo, and by that time the froth sets in. Once we are in Trujillo we hitch a ride to Chicama, the trip usually takes around 45 minutes, give or take how hungry we are. Start the days off with some eggs and bacon, hop on the zodiac and surf until your thighs are too sore to move.

Why do we do this to our bodies? Why do we travel to the ends of the earth all for a wave? Honestly, I couldn’t tell you, but here at Watermen we are hooked on that feeling. That feeling of adventure and being in the ocean, and what better way to travel than with your favorite crew? Maybe we could do without Ryan, since he is notorious for snaking waves.

Next month’s newsletter will have some pictures from our trip. I imagine a few stories of mishap and casualties, more than anything tales of one of the best waves around the world. But for now, we will leave you at the edge of your seat wanting more…

– The Watermen Crew

Knowledge of a Pool Lifeguard

Knowledge of a Pool Lifeguard

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:

  1. Boppers = non-swimmers who jump up and down to keep their nose and mouth above the water.
  2. Floppers = toddlers who could fall into shallow water and drown easily. Parents should stay within arm’s reach of their toddler.
  3. 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.
  4. 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’s lifeguard apparel for easy distinction against the crowds.

Lifeguard Apparel

 

 

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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Why Lifeguard Uniforms are the Color they are, and how that’s Changing

Why Lifeguard Uniforms are the Color they are, and how that’s Changing

lifeguard uniforms, watermen gear, original watermen suits, boardshorts, earn your salt, stay salty, original watermenErgonomics is a fancy word for scientific studies conducted to understand the interactions of humans and other elements of a system. The ergonomics study done recently for lifeguard personnel questioned what color uniform (boardshorts or swim suits) lifeguards or other first responders should wear to be noticed in a crowd.

In 2009 the study declared that fluorescent colors, including yellow-green and orange, are easiest to spot in daylight and lime shades easiest to see in low lighting. So should all lifeguards and first responders wear fluorescent colors to be easily recognized in crowd?

 Florescent Lifeguard Uniforms

Do the traditional color lifeguard boardshorts or Lifeguard swimming suits standout enough to gather attention and demand control when needed?  In the early 70’s a lifeguard ad promoted a new trend of florescent bright as the sun orange, yellow and lime lifeguard trunks. The lifeguard agency tried it for a year and returned to standard red shorts because no one associated the florescent lifeguard apparel with true first responders.  The U.S. Fire Administration replaced red fire trucks and beach emergency vehicles with lime-yellow fire vehicles with white upper cabs. This action, even though the vehicles could be seen better, started trouble because people in the community did not associate the color lime with fire trucks or the yellow-green vehicles as emergency vehicles. A battle began between the community and fire department. The community ordered an ergonomic study which confirmed that fluorescent yellow-green and orange greatly increased vehicle visibility, but the report also concluded that the public did not associate the emergency vehicles with the new colors and recommended that public association was more important than paint color.

 Do Lifeguard Uniforms Matter?

In the early years of lifeguarding, fishermen were recruited to be lifeguards. Each morning after going fishing in the morning the fishermen wearing their fishing clothes became lifeguards and used their boats as lifesaving devises. The fishermen encountered several problems as they tried to help the distressed swimmers. They struggled to control their small boats in windswept choppy waters and getting the swimmer into the boat was a difficult problem. But the biggest problem was that the general public didn’t respect the fishermen and called them a nuisance. It was so bad that when a distressed swimmer was in trouble they refused help from the fishermen until they passed out in the water. The fishermen lifeguards went to the lifeguard board with their dilemma. The counsels’ answer to the problem was to give them a lifeguard uniform, which seemed to resolve the respect problem.

A state beach in Florida received a complaint letter from a mother stating the trouble she had while at the beach with her kids. One of her children had drifted out to far into the water and she tried to find a lifeguard in the crowd. No lifeguard was to be found, no uniformed lifeguards were anywhere to be seen. Her child was pulled back to shore by an onlooker. The beach supervisor replied he was sorry the mother could not find a lifeguard, but it was their policy to let the lifeguards pick out their own swimwear, so as it turned out the female lifeguard was mixed in with the 100’s of people on the beach.

 Introducing the Yellow Lifeguard Uniform

Colors play an important part in our daily lives.  Colors evoke feelings, emotions, memories and provide warnings of potential hazards and dangers. But are the colors particularly important, or is it more important having a lifeguard uniform that is distinctive and the same throughout the respective areas?  All lifeguards at any facility, beach, or recreation area should wear corresponding uniforms. Lifeguard uniforms give the appearance they are rescue ready, and give the look of authority, making them easy to identify by visitors. Lifeguards must stand out and be easily recognizable in huge crowds. Aquatic facilities and Waterparks have increased in size and numbers. Waterparks can span as much as 35 or more acres and can support staff of 250 or more.  Red, blue, and black lifeguard uniforms may no longer have a place in these aquatic facilities. Florescent safety yellow for lifeguard uniforms has benefits that support everything from lifeguard safety to guest satisfaction. Safety yellow lifeguard uniforms do have advantages over the present-day uniforms because florescent safety yellow allows lifeguards to be seen across the large facilities. More important it helps lifeguards find their closest teammate for support when they need it.  Red, navy, and black have been the lifeguard uniform colors of choice, but as the industry and profession moves forward, someone will still have to answer the question, should lifeguards wear red anymore?

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So, You Want to Be a Lifeguard? Certification and Testing

So, You Want to Be a Lifeguard? Certification and Testing

lifeguard equipment, watermen gear, original watermen,  lifeguard gear, lifeguard trainingCalifornia’s beautiful State Parks encompass over 900 miles of ocean coastlines plus thousands of miles of reservoir, lake and river shorelines. Thousands of lifeguards protect these water sources, to ensure the safety of the 50 million people, that travel to these parks each year. California’s State Parks employ around 600 seasonal lifeguards each summer. And each of these lifeguards have completed lifeguard training, certification and testing programs. Note: These programs are not swim classes, they can be seriously physically and mentally challenging.

 Understanding What Type of Lifeguard, You Want to Be

Lifeguard training is job specific, that said there are the following:

  • Pool Lifeguards – are responsible for public and private pools
  • Aquatic Attraction Lifeguards – watch over waterparks or pools that offer attractions, and a have a maximum water depth of 5 feet or less.
  • Waterfront Lifeguards – prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps, campgrounds etc. life lakes, bays or rivers.
  • Beach Lifeguards – guard in all areas of open water with surf.

Qualifications

 Typically, agencies allow you to be 15 years of age, on or before the final day of the lifeguard training course, but most expect you to be 16. As well as possess a valid driver’s license, with a good driving record, at the time of appointment. Candidates must have the ability to read and write English and have no felony convictions.

The biggest and most important qualification is you must have the physical strength and endurance necessary to rescue a struggling victim in the water.

As well all candidates must be able to detect a struggling victim in the water by having 20/20 corrected vision, and 20/40 uncorrected vision, along with passing a hearing test.

Lifeguard Certification

Obtaining a lifeguard position is not an easy task. Everyone must attend lifeguard courses that teach you the skills needed to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will be trained and certified in CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPRO), and First Aid care for injuries and sudden illness until EMS (emergency services) take over.

You will also practice using life-saving flotation devices like rescue tubes to help struggling swimmers. You will be properly trained in using back boards to help move people who may have injured their spines, and CPR barrier devices called face shields. Face shields are placed over the victim’s mouth during CPR, to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases via bodily fluids. Pool guards will also be taught how to communicate with a whistle while on duty.

 Lifeguard Certification Cost

No matter the type of lifeguarding you choose, you must pass job specific certification classes. The American Red Cross, National Aquatic Safety, and the YMCA provide training courses for non-surf guards. Lifeguard training can cost anywhere from $125-$300 and can last from 21 hours-40 hours. Note: state, county and city lifeguard agencies provide their own training programs.

Lastly, everyone will be administered a qualification appraisal interview.

 Lifeguard Testing

You will need to pass a job specific written test, as well as a timed swim test. These tests and trainings are to ensure that you are able to provide beach and pool safety, enforce city ordinance laws, and learn how and when to prepare and file reports. Note: Lifeguard testing and tryouts differ between states and agencies, and some begin their testing as early as February, so they can spend their Spring Break doing more intense certification training.

 Lifeguard Recertification

 It is best not let your lifeguard certification expire, or you will have to repeat the entire process again. Lifeguard retesting is designed to inform you of the latest and most up to date lifeguarding techniques, to keep the people around you safe. Most lifeguard certifications only last one to five years.

If lifeguarding is still interesting to you, then start preparing now. Get in the water; work on your swim strokes and endurance.  Next up in this series, “what to expect at lifeguard tryouts”.

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Want to Be a Lifeguard? What it Takes to Get Through Lifeguard Training

Want to Be a Lifeguard? What it Takes to Get Through Lifeguard Training

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Lifeguard Training

Lifeguard jobs require you to be strong, fit and able to swim. No matter what kind of lifeguard you decide to be (beach or pool), you need to start a training program.  You have to be able to swim and swim well. Not only is your life at risk but also the victims you are privileged to save.

Lifeguard Apparel

Training programs start with the right clothing. Choosing the right lifeguard apparel can increase or decrease your speed. Both Men’s lifeguard boardshorts, or women’s lifeguard swimsuits can fall off in the waves, restrict arm movement, cause rashes, and become transparent over time. Baggy lifeguard apparel without draining pockets create drag and slow you down. That is why proper lifeguard apparel is dire.

Women’s Lifeguard Swimsuits

Our lifeguard store carries a variety of one piece and two-piece lifeguard swimsuits made for competitive women. They are made from top quality materials; and they fit right and stay on through the roughest conditions. The X-Back Elite a one-piece lifeguard swimsuit and the Surf Bikini a two-piece lifeguard swimsuit are both durable, outrageously comfortable, and are double lined with cute thin straps.

Men’s Lifeguard Boardshorts and Trunks

For those men who prefer board shorts our lifeguard boardshorts come with a rash free guarantee, have self-draining pockets and are made with ultra-soft nonabrasive material. The hottest trend for male lifeguards this year is the more efficient Watermen Short or boardshort liner worn under their lifeguard boardshorts. These boardshort liners, also known as compression shorts are made for the water, workouts and competitions. Watermen compression shorts help stabilize the joints and keep muscles warm, preventing muscle strain. Research shows that the compression shorts help decrease the heart rate and the lactic build up in athletes, therefore reducing the time it takes for muscles to repair themselves.

Note: Keeping your muscles warm before and after workouts or competitions is very important. Jumping in water with cold muscles can create all kinds of muscular problems. Remember cold muscles equal slower swim times and cramped muscles.

Male lifeguards, especially in winter often wear rashguards to help keep the upper body warm.

Physical Lifeguard Training

Swim Strokes

The two most commonly used strokes in competitions are the freestyle and breast stroke. You may choose any style stoke you feel most comfortable with, but the freestyle stroke known as the front crawl is the most common and is the fastest. Beginners who are uncomfortable in the water need to practice this stroke. The freestyle stroke burns around 500-700 calories an hour with moderate to high intensity.

Using the breaststroke in practice will build strength in your shoulders, legs, hamstrings, triceps, inner thighs, and builds strong chest muscles. This breaststroke is performed while you are on your chest, and you swim without moving your trunk. This breaststroke burns approximately 720 calories in an hour.

 Developing Your Own Technique

Your personal technique can improve your time, and increases your endurance.  Simple improvements can be made just by changing the position of your hands and feet. Your swim stroke should be pulled straight back as you roll on your side, and take a breath, and your elbow should come straight up by your ear as it reenters the water. You want to extend and glide as much as you can with each stroke. Make sure you stretch your body out and roll slightly as you reach forward. Using a pair of lifeguard fins will teach you to use your upper leg and glut muscles, creating a more powerful kick rather than using just your knee and foot. Swim fins also help by increasing the flexibility of your ankles.  You should also use swimmer’s snorkel, so that you can focus on body rotation and arm strokes with ease.

Do not hold your breath under water while swimming. Instead practice bilateral breathing. You can do this by exhaling when your face enters the water, and blowing out through your mouth.

Note: It is important that the air is blown out slowly, exhaling too fast might obstruct the next inhalation, causing hyperventilation.

Warm-ups

Always remember to do warm up exercises and stretch your joints, and muscles before you enter the water. Three sets of 8 full body squats will warm up hips, legs and back. Rotating the arms forward and backwards in both small and large circles will loosen up the shoulders and bring blood to the arms. Even doing a light jog will help increase oxygen to your muscles. And as always have plenty of fluids handy to keep your body well hydrated.

Weights

The use of weights will help make you stronger. Swimmers improve their performance and endurance by building muscle in their upper body. Remember powerful shoulders and arms propel you through the water. You do not need to use weights daily; remember your body requires rest days to allow the muscles to recover. It is important to develop your own weight strength program and aim to increase repetitions. At home or at the gym you can use standing dumbbells, resistance machines or exercise bands to build muscular strength and endurance.

Diet

A swimmer’s diet needs to combine protein and carbohydrates to ensure there is good muscular growth and endurance.

Pre-workout Meal

A great pre-workout meal is wheat toast with fruit, banana with a little cinnamon has been linked to stabilizing blood sugar, and improving brain function. If bananas aren’t your thing, try yogurt with a ½ a cup of trail mix, or even a yogurt and fruit smoothie

After Workout – Recovery Meal

When you are in recovery mode try grilled chicken with steamed veggies. If you must pan cook the veggies opt for olive oil instead of butter. Another option for those seafood lovers is salmon with sweet potato.

Whatever you choose to eat, just remember this is what will fuel you through to your optimal condition for what comes next, lifeguard certification and testing, which we will discuss in detail, in the next post.

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