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Team Shaw lifeguards teach preventative measures

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Many see the red bathing suit sitting in the stand, but what isn't seen are the hours of diligent training it takes to obtain the title "lifeguard".

The job title alone underscores their biggest responsibility: guarding life.

The lifeguards at the Woodland Pool here have a program that provides training to keep military members and their families safe.

Part of a lifeguard's duty is to identify potential hazards, such as swimmers who struggle, show signs of heat exhaustion, or are behaving in an unsafe manner. Further, they must be prepared to respond in the same instant. Lifeguards are trained in CPR, first aid and proficient swimming to provide care should the need arise.

"Basically, any emergency, you've got to know how to react to that," said Tim Godwin, 20th Force Support Squadron outdoor recreation director. "You've got to be able to be alert and be aware that emergencies can happen in an instant, especially in the water."

Godwin said the main job for a lifeguard is to protect the most precious possessions people have: their lives and their families.

Every three weeks, Godwin has the lifeguards go through extensive training. Godwin also requires the guards to do at least one hour of training a week, which has to be documented.

During weekly training, lifeguards swim 500 yards, tread water, retrieve a simulated victim, in the form of a mannequin, from the bottom of the pool, and practice CPR.

Lifeguards spend hours training themselves and others to keep the pool a safe place to play. By assisting in swim lessons, they are able to teach children skills that will keep them safe in the pool and out, preventing future incidents.

"I think swimming is an important skill for kids to have for survival purposes," said Terri Woods, wife of Senior Master Sgt. James Woods, 9th Air Force Logistics superintendent. "It's a life skill that, unless they have the experience, they're not going to know. It's like an additional education program for them, they do see some videos in school, but they actually practice it here."

Woodland Pool has 10 guards on rotation ages 16-22 years old who work shifts six to seven hours a day.

"Without good guards, this program would never be successful," said Godwin. "We want people to come here and know that this is a safe place for them to be."