TO THE NATIONAL PARKS COMPANY

26) Broaden lifeguard protection to all locations where swimming is known to occur with regularity, on a daily basis, during times of day when people are most likely to swim. For less utilized areas, develop strategies to ensure that on-duty lifeguard personnel can quickly respond to emergencies.

27) Within two (2) years, ensure that all beach lifeguards are trained and equipped in accordance with minimum standards recommended by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) and within three (3) years the become certified by the USLA.

28) Within one (1) year, conduct a review of existing lifeguard facilities at beaches elsewhere in the USA. Within six (6) months afterwards, develop a plan for making appropriate modifications to existing facilities consistent with best practice.

29) Within one (1) year, conduct a review of existing lifeguard equipment at beaches elsewhere in the USA. Within six (6) months afterwards, develop a plan for making appropriate modifications to existing equipment consistent with best practice.

30) Assign no lifeguard to work alone, without an immediate source of qualified backup. This is a fundamental principle of public safety work. While, in some cases, lifeguards may need to work alone for limited periods of time, backup must be rapid, reliable, and adequate to ensure safety of the lifeguard and the public.

31) Develop major incident plans to deal with unusual staffing needs during periods of high hazard and/or water use.

32) Grant lifeguards adequate enforcement powers to allow them to enforce beach and water ordinances, at least to the point of issuing lawfully enforceable warnings.

33) Assign lifeguards to utilize a professional system of logs and statistical reporting, consistent with USLA standards, to develop a baseline for future decision-making.

34) Assign lifeguards to develop model policies and procedures for lifeguards in consultation with other lifeguard agencies and the United States Lifesaving Association to ensure a professional and consistent approach to protecting the public.

35) Develop programs for recruitment and retension of lifeguards, including issues such as pay and working conditions adequate to attract and retain qualified personnel. Creating a positive image for lifeguards should be carefully approached as a means to assist in retention, employee morale, and community respect for the services they provide. Examples of methods that could be employed include high quality uniforms comparable to firefighters and police officers, recognition events, lifeguard of the year selections, etc. Most fire and police agencies work hard to ensure recogni tion of their staffs and lifeguards should be treated similarly.

36) Post rip current education signs provided by Sea Grant at all beachfront accessways.

To The Commissioner Of Municipal Affairs

37) Encourage and assist the mayors of all municipios to address recommendations listed in this report that are directed to them.

To The Mayors Of All Municipios With Oceanfront

38) In collaboration with the Puerto Rico Inte ragency Beach Board, conduct an aquatic safety audit to identify areas with aquatic safety problems.

39) Provide lifeguards trained to USLA minimum standards at locations where swimming is known to occur with regularity, on a daily basis, during times of day when people are most likely to swim. Examples include existing park areas, beach accesses, and in front of major tourist hotels and condominiums. For less utilized areas, develop strategies to ensure that on-duty lifeguard personnel can quickly respond to emergencies. Work with the Beach Board to identify these areas.

40) Assign no lifeguard to work alone, without an immediate source of qualified backup. This is a fundamental principle of public safety work. While, in some cases, lifeguards may need to work alone for limited periods of time, backup must be rapid, reliable, and adequate to ensure safety of the lifeguard and the public.

41) Develop major incident plans to deal with unusual staffing needs during periods of high hazard and/or water use.

42) Grant lifeguards adequate enforcement powers to allow them to enforce beach and water ordinances, at least to the point of issuing lawfully enforceable warnings.

43) Assign lifeguards to utilize a professional system of logs and statistical reporting, consistent with USLA standards, to develop a baseline for future decision-making.

44) Acquire lifeguard towers and equipment, including motive equipment, in a quantity and quality appropriate to the role of lifeguards. Resources for determining appropriate levels include, The United States Lifesaving Association Manual of Open Water Lifesaving and the United States Lifesaving Association, Lifeguard Agency Certification Program

45) Assign lifeguards to develop model policies and procedures for lifeguards in consultation with other lifeguard agencies and the United States Lifesaving Association to ensure a professional and consistent approach to protecting the public.

46) Develop programs for recruitment and retension of lifeguards, including issues such as pay and working conditions adequate to attract and retain qualified personnel. Creating a positive image for lifeguards should be carefully approached as a means to assist in retention, employee morale, and community respect for the services they provide. Examples of methods that could be employed include high quality uniforms comparable to firefighters and police officers, recognition events, lifeguard of the year selections, etc. Most fire and police agencies work hard to ensure recogni tion of their staffs and lifeguards should be treated similarly.

47) Post rip current education signs provided by Sea Grant at all beachfront accessways.

Recommended References

Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group

Branche CM, Stewart S. (Editors). Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2001. (see Appendix)

Download from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/lifeguard/lifeguard.htm

Guidelines for Open Water Lifeguard Agency Certification

United States Lifesaving Association, rev. November 2001 (see Appendix)

Download from: http://www.usla.org/Train%2BCert/USLA_Guidelines.pdf

Open Water Lifesaving – The United States Lifesaving Association Manual

Brewster, B. Chris (Editor).

Pearson Custom Publishing. 2003. ISBN 0-536-73735-5

A Work Behavior-Oriented Job Analysis for Lifeguards - Final Technical Report

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Mael, Fred A. et al. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 1998

Download from: http://www.usla.org/PublicInfo/lfg_library.shtml

International Standards for Beach Safety and Information Flags

International Life Saving Federations http://www.usla.org/PublicInfo/library/FlagWarningStandardsILSFinal20FEB04.pdf

Lifeguard Skin Cancer Protection - An Approach to Protecting Health and Promoting Image B. Chris Brewster

Better Beaches

Griffiths, Tom. National Recreation and Park Association; 1999. ISBN 0-929581-62-8

A Study of (Florida) Lifeguards and Lifeguard Agencies

Florida Office of Emergency Medical Services in conjunction with the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council; 1993

The Lifeguard Library http://www.usla.org/PublicInfo/lfg_library.shtml

Appendix

The following are attached in order of appearance and are copyrighted material of the noted entities:

A Lesson in Cooperation Conway, Tim. Aquatics International; June 2001

San Diego Municipal Code (excerpts)

Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group Branche CM, Stewart S. (Editors). Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2001.

Guidelines for Open Water Lifeguard Agency Certification United States Lifesaving Association, rev. November 2007

International Standards for Beach Safety and Information Flags

Lifeguard Skin Cancer Protection - An Approach to Protecting Health and Promoting Image

B. Chris Brewster