Safeguard program (3.5-4 hr.): safety
supervision training for guardians (e.g, day camp counsellors,
counsellors-in-training and others) who accompany groups of young
people to pools or waterfronts. The course stresses the
responsibility undertaken by these group leaders for safeguarding
the young people in their care even when under lifeguard
supervision.
Safeguard focuses on water safety awareness, accident prevention
and the principles of aquatic safety supervision. Safeguard teaches
participants how to identify hazards and at-risk behaviours, how to
recognize potential victims, and how to respond safely in an
aquatic emergency.
Safeguard training is designed for swimmers and non-swimmers
alike. Successful completion of the course is based on active
participation in all sessions and evidence of the Must Sees in each
item.
Prerequisite: None. Ideally, guardians are at
least 12 years of age, able to swim, and have some lifesaving
experience.
Instruction &
certification: Current Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid
Instructors who hold National Lifeguard certification teach and
certify Safeguard candidates.
Candidate recognition: Certification card.
Recertification: None. Annual retraining
recommended.
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Instructor references: The Safeguard Program
USB provides the resources needed to teach and evaluate candidates.
The USB contains the Safeguard Award Guide (Test items, Must Sees,
Notes), the Safeguard PowerPoint presentation, Safeguard Course
Handouts and fillable Safeguard Test Sheet.
At-a-glance
- Demonstrate an understanding of the following in recreational
swim settings:
- The importance of lifeguard supervision and the risks inherent
in unsupervised settings.
- Differences in the safety supervision roles of guardians (e.g.,
counsellors) and lifeguards.
- Importance of positioning, vigilance and scanning in safety
supervision.
- Implications for safety supervision of guardians' personal
swimming ability.
- Factors contributing to drowning and Water Smart® messages that promote aquatic safety.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify hazards (facility, location
or environmental) and modify activities accordingly.
- Demonstrate the ability to recognize distressed swimmers and
drowning victims.
- Demonstrate effective communication with children, fellow staff
members, supervisors, lifeguards, and parents/guardians.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how to use an aid to rescue a
conscious victim in shallow water.