News Release: American Red Cross Pledges To End Lifeguard Shortage

Olympic gold medallist speaks out, local awareness events to recruit youth for lifesaving duty

Washington, D.C. May 9, 2001 — Beginning this spring, "No lifeguard on duty" signs and restricted pool hours will fade into the past. That's the goal of the American Red Cross, which is pledging to rebuild the diminished ranks of trained lifeguards nationwide.

"The current lifeguard shortage around the country may create a public safety crisis if pools and aquatics facilities continue to operate without enough lifeguards on duty," said American Red Cross water safety expert Connie Harvey, herself a Certified Red Cross Lifeguard. "As a safety standard, parents and guardians should check to be sure that there is a lifeguard on duty and families should always swim in a supervised area," she added.

Summer is fast approaching, trips are being planned, camps are filling up and family schedules are coming together, all in anticipation of fun in the sun. Whether it's lounging around the pool or slipping down the slide, one question has become more important than ever: Is there a lifeguard on duty? Most parents and guardians aren't asking that question, and a national shortage of lifeguards has consistently forced community pools, water parks and beaches across the country to drastically change the way they operate, some closing altogether.

This spring, the American Red Cross is launching a new youth-focused program, Lifeguarding: A Job So Hot, It's Cool. Featuring Olympic swimming gold medallist Misty Hyman and local awareness and recruiting events nationwide, the So Hot, It's Cool campaign will provide information on obtaining Red Cross lifeguard training leading to an exciting summer job outdoors.

Nationally, several factors are behind the lifeguard shortage including many other attractive job opportunities that require less responsibility and, in some cases, better wages. Also, the increasing number of aquatic recreation facilities with multiple attractions such as slides and wave pools require more lifeguard coverage. While in many areas the demand for lifeguards has grown, the rate of people trained as lifeguards has remained constant.

As the leading lifeguard training organization in the country, the Red Cross has trained an average of 190,000 lifeguards annually over the last few years. The newly revised American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program continues a tradition of the highest standards in training and the most current techniques and methods in lifeguarding.

In addition to reflecting the latest lifesaving techniques including the Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) 2000 Guidelines, the program provides: intense, hands-on skill practice designed to strengthen decision making and response skills; an opportunity for training in the use of lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs); a curriculum that equips trainees with the knowledge to guard effectively in a variety of non-surf water environments; and a format convenient for busy schedules.

American Red Cross chapters across the country are joining with local officials and representatives of aquatic facilities to raise awareness on the impact of the lifeguard shortage in their communities. Through open houses, aquatic training schools, job fairs and other special events, Red Cross chapters are educating their communities to encourage more people to become trained lifeguards. For example, the Wayne Pike Chapter of the American Red Cross in northeast Pennsylvania sponsored a National Aquatic School, training more than 90 lifeguards in a two-weeks.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world, annually training more than 11.7 million Americans in vital lifesaving skills. Dr. Bernadine Healy is president and CEO of the American Red Cross.

Editor's note: American Red Cross water safety experts are available for interviews regarding the lifeguarding shortage by contacting Michelle Hudgins at (202) 639-3336 or hudginsm@redcross.org. For additional resources, visit http://redcross.org/services/hss/aquatics/lifegard.html.