Factors Affecting Lifeguard Recognition of the Submerged Victim. Implications for Lifeguard Training, Lifeguarding Systems and Aquatic Facility Design

In 2003 the Lifesaving Society began a research study to evaluate the ability of lifeguards to see and recognize a submerged victim located on the bottom of a swimming pool. This research was conducted in a variety of different aquatic facilities with different water depths, lighting levels, pool wall/bottom colors, water features and activities. The purpose of the research was to determine the various factors that affected recognition of submerged victims and develop strategies to help lifeguards improve submerged victim recognition. The result of this research is an understanding of the difficulty lifeguards face when scanning the pool bottom and the factors that affect their ability to recognize a submerged victim. Examples of these factors include positioning of lifeguards, fixed vs. patrolling lifeguard positioning, design of the pool, type and location of lighting sources as well as the lifeguards’ expectation about what they should be able to see and recognize. The Lifesaving Society has applied this research to improve Society training programs for lifeguards as well as develop criteria for aquatic facility design and operation that can improve the ability of lifeguards to recognize and respond to a submerged victim.