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When asked how they recruit and retain lifeguards, here is what your colleagues have said...
"We're providing a printed brochure prior to spring break that includes training dates of courses offered at the aquatic facilities in our jurisdiction through June 15. The brochure includes information on Lifeguard Training, Lifeguard Training Review, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and CPR for the Professional Rescuer Review. This serves as a reference to answer telephone questions. In addition, the brochure is sent to all lifeguards who have been certified in the past 3 years."
Kim Maxwell and Joan Hendrickson
Dodge City, KS
"CPR is offered through the school district for grades 7 - 9. Many potential lifeguards are found during CPR courses. I look for young adults who are focused during the CPR training. Mature, focused, attentive - those are traits I look for in my lifeguards."
Adriana Saunier
Kalispell, MT
Be Sure the Red Cross Has Your Facility's Training Schedule
Carolyn Mayberry has worked extensively so that the Grand Canyon Chapter can serve as a clearinghouse for Lifeguarding and Water Safety Instructor courses in the Phoenix area. "I was getting more than 20 calls a day from people interested in lifeguard training and water safety instructor training," says Mayberry. "This helps everyone. We can provide accurate and up-to-date choices to the potential lifeguard, and the authorized providers' Lifeguard Training classes fill up. The result is a larger pool of trained lifeguards. I still get the calls, but now I can direct people to places to take classes."
The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open with the aquatic directors in the area, says Mayberry. She stays in weekly e-mail contact with about 25 instructor trainers as well as aquatic directors from the local YMCAs, universities and municipalities. Each director provides course information that is compiled on a master list. The list is shared with all of the instructor trainers and aquatic directors. It is also kept on the chapter's G drive so that anyone in the chapter can access the most up-to-date information.
Cross Selling Lifeguard Training During Other Red Cross Training Courses
Every class that is taught at your aquatic facility presents the opportunity for cross-selling the Lifeguarding courses. Even if you think that the course you are teaching does not include potential lifeguards, the participants may have friends, kids, relatives or acquaintances that are interested in becoming a lifeguard through the Red Cross.
Relay the point that lifeguarding is more than a summer job. It's an employment opportunity that can build the skills that will last a lifetime, including encouraging responsibility, gaining professional rescuer skills, and enhancing communication skills through working with the public.
Especially at the peak lifeguard training season, have flyers or class schedules available to distribute to students during a short presentation at the beginning or end of the class. The "Top 10 Reasons to be a Lifeguard" can be customized with local information and distributed as a flyer.
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