YMCA lifeguards gearing up for safe outdoor pool season

While they're not opening this weekend, public pools across the metro will soon be welcoming in swimmers.
​
"This summer we are anticipating a busier summer than usual because of last season and a lot of pools being closed," said aquatics coordinator Sarah Deming. "We are also anticipating a lot of children coming to the pools who didn't swim at all last year. So we are making sure that our guards are really well trained, especially more than normal."

The lifeguards at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA are ready to dive into a new outdoor pool session, with many guards returning from summers past and spending days training and recertifying, making sure pool visitors feel safe this summer. 

"It takes about four days, but we have them swim their 300 yards, practice any scenario that we can think of; an active drowning person, a passive drowning victim. Injuries that can happen on the pool deck," said Cailee Conlon-Trudo, "we do a lot of different scenarios drills for our staff to get them on their toes and ready for anything."

There will be seven lifeguards on staff during open pool hours, plus pool management. For visitors to the Y's outdoor pool, swimmers 13 and under are asked to take a swim test. This gives staff and swimmers an extra layer of safety this summer.

"So when you come to the front door, we will make sure you are swim tested," Conlon-Trudo said, "and those swim tests help us know who needs to wear a life jacket and who to keep a closer eye on."

Summer lifeguards don't just train leading into the summer season, but all summer long. practicing skills and drills to ensure everyone has a safe and fun summer swim season.

"We are going to have continuous in-service for the staff all summer long," Deming said. "Make sure their skills are drilled into their heads. They are going to be prepared for anything that can happen because we will be practicing all the time."

The Y also offers swimming lessons for kids and adults. 

If you have a private pool, it's recommended you never let young kids use it without supervision.

​SEE THE VIDEO