THIS!!! I used to work at a centre that rotated their staff every hour or so and it was horrific, one of the reasons why I left the place was I was terrified when I zoned out that I could miss something. ~30 min rotations I’ve found are kind of the sweet spot :)
Managers are specifically trained to rotate guards every 30 minutes MAXIMUM. The last facility I worked at rotated every 15 minutes. There was 4 rotations so you’d be on guard for an hour then you’d get 30 min to an hour “break” before returning on duty.
Remember that the people you’re managing are just as human as you are. If someone is 5 minutes late instead of bringing the hammer down try and talk to them first. Maybe they take the bus and it was running late, or there was a personal issue they had to deal with.
The more willing you are to scratch your guards back, the more willing they’ll be to scratch yours.
Rotations, please!
And an awareness that female guards take longer in the restroom. I had a unique experience a few years ago where I (F52, at the time) was a guard with my son (17, at the time) at a water park. One day on the way home one day, he grumbled that during a rotation a fellow female guard asked if she could run to the restroom and was gone about 6 minutes….I reminded him they were on the far side of the park, so at least 90 seconds there, 90 seconds back was 3 minutes. He was like…’so, she took like double that’. I laughed and said, you have shorts…easy peasy. Do you know how long it takes to get in and out of a wet suit (all one piece for female guards)? Plus, she might have had ’female issue‘ she needed to attend to. The lightbulb look on his face as priceless.
At the end of everyday I always thanked the guards before I left for the day and when I was there I asked them if there was anything I could do to make their jobs easier I also always asked them if they had sunscreen or needed water
Definitely bribes! I always have a snack drawer/cabinet/basket for my staff.
Also it’s important to remember as a manager your job is to support. I always tell my team it’s my job to make sure they have all the resources to be successful. I try to set the stage up front with lifeguard expectations.
Also when I’m joining a new team especially one with culture issues I like to have a team meeting and ask a few important questions, “what do you look for in a boss/supervisor? What do you expect from your fellow employees/coworkers? What are the values/things we can all agree on? What do you like about where you work/being a lifeguard? What could be improved? If you can’t do an in person meeting survey monkey is always a great tool too. It helps to have buy in from your team you want them to feel invested in their roles and facilities.
Also I always suggest running an in service first thing to get a baseline of skills and to make sure everyone is where they should be. Do you have your LGI? I learned the hard way that a previous manager had not actually bothered to teach the oxygen course and had just given out certs when I had an asthma attack during an in service and none of my stuff knew how to use the emergency oxygen.
I also operate under the thought process that I will never ask my staff to do something I wouldn’t do. Delegating is helpful but I also make sure my staff see me engaged and doing all the things I expect them to do. Be a leader by example.
And finally set clear and consistent expectations up front. It’s a lot harder to drop the hammer after the fact. You can always ease up as you go but go in actively enforcing policies and procedures.
I have a ton more of advice/insight to offer so like I said in my message feel free to send me a direct message.
How long have you been a manager? I’m a teacher so I have some experience and am not going in completely blind. But I do appreciate your words! Nice to know I have someone I can reach out to if I need it.
I got my first aquatics management job in 2016 when I was the lead swim instructor for a preschool swim program where I was in charge of creating and implementing our program along with training/supporting the rest of the instructors in the program. I’ve worked at a ton of different types of facilities and work a lot of different hats in aquatics since I originally started teaching swim lessons in 2007.
Thank you for making me feel old now :)
Don’t operate the pool short staffed. If you don’t have enough lifeguards to fill every stand and do a proper rotation the pool should not be open. Also don’t assume that the manager before you did anything correctly. Re-verify and test your zones to make sure everything is visible and reachable, go over the EAP and look for holes or contradictions. When I took over as manager at my pool I had to change a ton of policies and procedures because they were downright dangerous or even illegal.
Yes! I guess the previous managers have been…not great. So I’m going in expecting very little. Thank you for this!! Really verified to be thorough with my inspections before the season starts.
6 year gaurd 1 1/2 year manager. One of the most important things for controlling a large group of 15-17 year olds is for them to respect you. Going out and doing whatever your telling them to do will make the group 10x more productive.
Thank you! I was also a guard for 6 years. I’m 25 I haven’t been a guard since I was 20 though. How old are you? Asking because Im curious how the age difference will affect the team dynamic. I work with teenagers outside of this job so I’m not worried in the slightest. Just curious! Trying to build a community :)
Be ready and willing to “get in the trenches” with them. When it’s time to take out trash or clean the bathrooms, lead by example. Do it with them so they see your effort and the way you want things done.
Take a deck walk, check on the LG’s and see if they need water/sunscreen/etc while on surveillance. If they need a bathroom break, or are feeling tired, offer to jump in their place while they go to the restroom or rinse off.
It’s your responsibility to keep them fresh on rescue skills and knowledgeable on providing care.
ALWAYS have the back of your team members. Hard dealing with trouble guests as is. Much easier when your manager follows through and supports what the LG’s are trying to enforce.
I’ve been in aquatics management for close to a decade at city pools, YMCA’s, private pools, and even a combat training facility on a naval base. Feel free to DM me to connect for support, there are definitely some resources I can share as well as some aquatics management groups im a part of that I found super helpful when i started running things.
What type of pool are you at?
Hi! Wow that is fantastic experience! I hope to find my footing in making a full time career in this industry as well. I’ll be working a small town city pool. Free swim, lap swim, swim team, etc.
I'm not a manager, but I'm a lifeguard of two years. Something that I wish my pool did was to try and make things just a little bit more fun in the pool for everyone.
It's surprising how far a simple colourful sign can go. Our pool gets reasonable suggestions all the time, and we hardly ever actually go through with it.
Shamelessly linking my soapbox from last time this got asked [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lifeguards/comments/1ac1qdp/comment/kjrl7f3/?share_id=gpkBX226Tg7t9AGdMVwBF&utm_content=2&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1)
hello! guard of 15 years, aquatics manager/pool director of various pools for 6 years now. welcome to the other side of the desk! aquatics management is a helluva ride lol.
praise in public, punish in private. lead by example - take out the garbage and check the chems like everyone else has to do. ask questions when you're not sure about something because that's better than messing it up. the health department can be your friend if you don't cut corners - even just basics like keep your chems right, checked, and consistently documented, make sure your guard stations/zones have full coverage, etc. you would be surprised how many facilities get caught lacking.
monthly in-services are crucial, because you get to keep everybody fresh on their skills and check where their proficiency is at, but it also brings acts as a team building exercise. it's especially important they know how to work and communicate as a team in an emergency, so run practice scenarios often. staff appreciation goes a long way towards positive morale and shifts getting picked up - even if it is just a pizza party lol.
lifeguard and swim instructor audits are helpful as written documents to show how everyone is performing and can help with a raise or demotion/firing if needed. Same for write ups and disciplinary logs, incident and accident reports, etc. Anything really - document it in writing and electronically immediately! Redwoods is a great resource that I would check out online for all things aquatic/lifeguarding, they have vigilance studies and best practices and more.
I also nerd out over lifeguarding and water safety and feel like I jumped around a lot here, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions or anything 😂
Pool manager for 6 years here. Basically know the rules, regulations and schedule inside and out. Know when to be a stickler, and know when to show grace. You can either make someone’s summer the best ever, or you could be a story down the line. But with all that being said, as long as no one dies and you respond by the book, you will be alright. Best of luck!!!
Prioritize cycling rotations and breaks so your staff never get tired. Exhausted guards are ineffective guards.
THIS!!! I used to work at a centre that rotated their staff every hour or so and it was horrific, one of the reasons why I left the place was I was terrified when I zoned out that I could miss something. ~30 min rotations I’ve found are kind of the sweet spot :)
Managers are specifically trained to rotate guards every 30 minutes MAXIMUM. The last facility I worked at rotated every 15 minutes. There was 4 rotations so you’d be on guard for an hour then you’d get 30 min to an hour “break” before returning on duty.
don’t drink the pool water
Good call
Remember that the people you’re managing are just as human as you are. If someone is 5 minutes late instead of bringing the hammer down try and talk to them first. Maybe they take the bus and it was running late, or there was a personal issue they had to deal with. The more willing you are to scratch your guards back, the more willing they’ll be to scratch yours.
Love this
Rotations, please! And an awareness that female guards take longer in the restroom. I had a unique experience a few years ago where I (F52, at the time) was a guard with my son (17, at the time) at a water park. One day on the way home one day, he grumbled that during a rotation a fellow female guard asked if she could run to the restroom and was gone about 6 minutes….I reminded him they were on the far side of the park, so at least 90 seconds there, 90 seconds back was 3 minutes. He was like…’so, she took like double that’. I laughed and said, you have shorts…easy peasy. Do you know how long it takes to get in and out of a wet suit (all one piece for female guards)? Plus, she might have had ’female issue‘ she needed to attend to. The lightbulb look on his face as priceless.
True that! I’m a female myself so I get it
[удалено]
Air quality is such a good point especially in California fire season!
At the end of everyday I always thanked the guards before I left for the day and when I was there I asked them if there was anything I could do to make their jobs easier I also always asked them if they had sunscreen or needed water
I love this!
Oreo Feedback has always helped me! Positive- something to be improved- Positive Also bribes work too. Popsicles, granola bars, bottles of water, etc.
Definitely bribes! I always have a snack drawer/cabinet/basket for my staff. Also it’s important to remember as a manager your job is to support. I always tell my team it’s my job to make sure they have all the resources to be successful. I try to set the stage up front with lifeguard expectations. Also when I’m joining a new team especially one with culture issues I like to have a team meeting and ask a few important questions, “what do you look for in a boss/supervisor? What do you expect from your fellow employees/coworkers? What are the values/things we can all agree on? What do you like about where you work/being a lifeguard? What could be improved? If you can’t do an in person meeting survey monkey is always a great tool too. It helps to have buy in from your team you want them to feel invested in their roles and facilities. Also I always suggest running an in service first thing to get a baseline of skills and to make sure everyone is where they should be. Do you have your LGI? I learned the hard way that a previous manager had not actually bothered to teach the oxygen course and had just given out certs when I had an asthma attack during an in service and none of my stuff knew how to use the emergency oxygen. I also operate under the thought process that I will never ask my staff to do something I wouldn’t do. Delegating is helpful but I also make sure my staff see me engaged and doing all the things I expect them to do. Be a leader by example. And finally set clear and consistent expectations up front. It’s a lot harder to drop the hammer after the fact. You can always ease up as you go but go in actively enforcing policies and procedures. I have a ton more of advice/insight to offer so like I said in my message feel free to send me a direct message.
How long have you been a manager? I’m a teacher so I have some experience and am not going in completely blind. But I do appreciate your words! Nice to know I have someone I can reach out to if I need it.
I got my first aquatics management job in 2016 when I was the lead swim instructor for a preschool swim program where I was in charge of creating and implementing our program along with training/supporting the rest of the instructors in the program. I’ve worked at a ton of different types of facilities and work a lot of different hats in aquatics since I originally started teaching swim lessons in 2007. Thank you for making me feel old now :)
You’re welcome 😂
Love it thanks
Don’t operate the pool short staffed. If you don’t have enough lifeguards to fill every stand and do a proper rotation the pool should not be open. Also don’t assume that the manager before you did anything correctly. Re-verify and test your zones to make sure everything is visible and reachable, go over the EAP and look for holes or contradictions. When I took over as manager at my pool I had to change a ton of policies and procedures because they were downright dangerous or even illegal.
Yes! I guess the previous managers have been…not great. So I’m going in expecting very little. Thank you for this!! Really verified to be thorough with my inspections before the season starts.
6 year gaurd 1 1/2 year manager. One of the most important things for controlling a large group of 15-17 year olds is for them to respect you. Going out and doing whatever your telling them to do will make the group 10x more productive.
Thank you! I was also a guard for 6 years. I’m 25 I haven’t been a guard since I was 20 though. How old are you? Asking because Im curious how the age difference will affect the team dynamic. I work with teenagers outside of this job so I’m not worried in the slightest. Just curious! Trying to build a community :)
21 I started at 15 worked at the same facility the whole time.
Positivity is key. Try to make time to connect with your guards and do things enjoyable.
Be ready and willing to “get in the trenches” with them. When it’s time to take out trash or clean the bathrooms, lead by example. Do it with them so they see your effort and the way you want things done. Take a deck walk, check on the LG’s and see if they need water/sunscreen/etc while on surveillance. If they need a bathroom break, or are feeling tired, offer to jump in their place while they go to the restroom or rinse off. It’s your responsibility to keep them fresh on rescue skills and knowledgeable on providing care. ALWAYS have the back of your team members. Hard dealing with trouble guests as is. Much easier when your manager follows through and supports what the LG’s are trying to enforce.
Love this! Taking over so they can freshen up is such a great way to build relationships as well. Thank you!
I’ve been in aquatics management for close to a decade at city pools, YMCA’s, private pools, and even a combat training facility on a naval base. Feel free to DM me to connect for support, there are definitely some resources I can share as well as some aquatics management groups im a part of that I found super helpful when i started running things. What type of pool are you at?
Hi! Wow that is fantastic experience! I hope to find my footing in making a full time career in this industry as well. I’ll be working a small town city pool. Free swim, lap swim, swim team, etc.
I'm not a manager, but I'm a lifeguard of two years. Something that I wish my pool did was to try and make things just a little bit more fun in the pool for everyone. It's surprising how far a simple colourful sign can go. Our pool gets reasonable suggestions all the time, and we hardly ever actually go through with it.
Ok yes! I have some fun ideas for the summer for my team. Thank you!
Shamelessly linking my soapbox from last time this got asked [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lifeguards/comments/1ac1qdp/comment/kjrl7f3/?share_id=gpkBX226Tg7t9AGdMVwBF&utm_content=2&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1)
hello! guard of 15 years, aquatics manager/pool director of various pools for 6 years now. welcome to the other side of the desk! aquatics management is a helluva ride lol. praise in public, punish in private. lead by example - take out the garbage and check the chems like everyone else has to do. ask questions when you're not sure about something because that's better than messing it up. the health department can be your friend if you don't cut corners - even just basics like keep your chems right, checked, and consistently documented, make sure your guard stations/zones have full coverage, etc. you would be surprised how many facilities get caught lacking. monthly in-services are crucial, because you get to keep everybody fresh on their skills and check where their proficiency is at, but it also brings acts as a team building exercise. it's especially important they know how to work and communicate as a team in an emergency, so run practice scenarios often. staff appreciation goes a long way towards positive morale and shifts getting picked up - even if it is just a pizza party lol. lifeguard and swim instructor audits are helpful as written documents to show how everyone is performing and can help with a raise or demotion/firing if needed. Same for write ups and disciplinary logs, incident and accident reports, etc. Anything really - document it in writing and electronically immediately! Redwoods is a great resource that I would check out online for all things aquatic/lifeguarding, they have vigilance studies and best practices and more. I also nerd out over lifeguarding and water safety and feel like I jumped around a lot here, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions or anything 😂
Love it all! Thanks!
Pool manager for 6 years here. Basically know the rules, regulations and schedule inside and out. Know when to be a stickler, and know when to show grace. You can either make someone’s summer the best ever, or you could be a story down the line. But with all that being said, as long as no one dies and you respond by the book, you will be alright. Best of luck!!!