lifeguard apperal Archives - Original Watermen

Lifeguard Uniform and Equipment Requirements

May 3, 2018 | boardshorts, earn your salt, Lifeguard, Lifeguard Equipment, Lifeguard Swimsuits, Original Watermen, Rashguards, rescue equipment, rescue tube, retro board shorts, rip currents, Shopping-Clothing, SPF 50, spine board, stingray kit, strength and endurance, Uncategorized, Watermen, watermen gear, women's swimsuits

Lifeguard 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.

What is the Best Fabric for T-Shirts?

Sep 28, 2017 | Original Watermen, Rashguards, Shopping-Clothing, Uncategorized, Watermen, watermen gear, Watermen Warmth, workout gear

The origin of the t-shirt

The T-shirt also known as a tee was named after its shape, which resembles the letter T. A t-shirt is normally associated with short sleeves, a round neckline and no collar. T-shirts are generally made of a light, inexpensive fabric, that is easy to clean.

The T-shirt developed from undergarments used in the 19th century, and in the mid-20th century transitioned from undergarment to everydat casual clothing.

Original Watermen t-shirt

Our men’s t-shirts, and women’s t-shirts are geared towards an audience of the rough and wild, masters of their sport, and the extremist, where age and sex do not matter. Our motto has always been; “Earn Your Salt” in honor of those who have given their lives to living in the water.

Original Watermen equips incredible athletes, and we want every athlete to be as comfortable as possible, from their t-shirt style, to their fabric. That said, not all fabric is created equal

T-shirt fabric

What the men or women’s t- shirt is made of makes all the difference in the world. You might have a great logo but it’s the fabric that determines the true shape, the durability, the softness, and wearabilty of the tee. The fabric decides whether you look like a sweating pig, or a wet mop. The fabric decides, if after one wash it shrinks to fit your hamster or becomes lopsided and stretched out of shape. The fabric decides if the t-shirt neck falls so low, that it might fit the incredible hulk.

Ring Spun t-shirt fabric

The cotton t-shirt has evolved from the heavy, scratchy, shapeless fabric to the butter soft touch of Ring Spun material. Fabric that has been Ring Spun goes through an elaborate spinning process. As each thread spins it straightens and softens the fiber. This spinning process produces a fiber that can be woven tighter. The higher the thread count the softer the material, so when you compare t-shirt thread counts, traditional cotton t-shirts weigh in at 18, where a ring spun t-shirt weighs in at the 30 range. The end process results in an excellent quality breathable knit men’s t-shirt or women’s t-shirt that has a great high-end feel. This fabric is more lightweight, more durable, smoother, it shrinks less and tends to last longer than your average 100% cotton t-shirts. Quality t-shirts like these are used in high end businesses, and that is why we sell them. The Essentials, the Yellowfin and Fish Bone t-shirts are fantastic examples of 100% super soft Ring Spun t-shirts.

Tri-blend t-shirt fabric

The other process of a quality men’s t-shirt, or women’s t-shirt blends three different materials together to produce one great one. Tri-blends include a blend of 25% rayon, 25% polyester, and 50% cotton. Blending the three fabrics creates an incredibly soft, better stretching material that hangs perfectly, and looks and feels the same wash after wash. Compare the original 100% cotton t-shirt to a cheap set of bed sheets, and the Tri-blend t-shirt to very expensive 1800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Cotton, polyester, and rayon tri-blends are the best of all worlds. In the perfect blend, the cotton allows the t-shirt to breathe and prevents heat from being trapped between the fabric and your skin. The polyester helps create a strong resilient t-shirt that is wrinkle resistant and moisture wicking. Rayon adds an amazingly soft drape causing the

t-shirt to look better on more body types than any other fabric. Tri-blends are so sought after that it’s no wonder that the Singlefin t-shirt, the Earn Your Salt t-shirt and the Patch t-shirt are in such high demand. Ring Spun and Tri-Blend processes offer up the perfect men’s t-shirt or women’s t-shirt for anyone, even if you aren’t an athlete.