Instructing Jaw-Thrust (with Head Extension) Maneuver. (Photo credits: Emily Plurkowski and Pete DeQuincy, Mills College)

In-water ventilation provides a victim quick effective care when immediate extrication is…

3-Rescuer CPR with BVM and AED (Photo credits: Emily Plurkowski, Mills College)

CPR is a complex skill that requires constant training so that it will be performed well under the stress of a critical incident. Mastering breathing…

 Instructor reviewing team towing holds (Photo credits: Emily Plurkowski, Pete DeQuincy, Mills College)

Removing the victim from the area of danger, also known as extrication, happens in all incidents both non-emergency and critical. Whether it’s moving a submerged victim from the bottom of the pool to the surface, towing from the point of rescue to the wall, or expediting from water to land where EMS is staging; extrication…

Instructor reviewing how to assist the…

 Instructor reviewing primary assessment with lifeguards. (Photo(s) credits: Carol Berendsen, Emily Plurkowski, Mills College)

As we move closer to summer, it’s time to energize the winter staff and get them working as a well-oiled lifeguarding machine.…

Recreation Coordinator II, Beth Frazer, from Consumnes Community Service District, emailed me and commented, “…You have a curriculum for the training and how long it takes for 10 lifeguards… We have 40-60 lifeguards per training, so it would be nice to know how much time to add for each additional lifeguard, or maybe each additional 5 or 10 lifeguards.”

There are several ways to scale up the training to allow for large staff participation: Increase the time allocated for the training…

Yesterday, June 14, I had the chance to be a part of the global water safety event known as the World's Largest Swimming Lesson. Each year since 2010, swimmers around the world have come together simultaneously to break the record and promote the importance of swim lessons. At Blue Buoy Swim School, in Tustin, CA, there were officially 106 enthusiastic…

Here is a YouTube video that you can share with your friends and families who have children under the age of three.  It is so important that parents understand that even though kiddie pools and water park pools are shallow, that these shallow pools don't come without risks.

Lifesaving Resources advocates that NO ICE IS SAFE ICE. And, due to the unseasonably warm winter, even though lakes, rivers and streams may appear to be frozen, the integrity of the ice is compromised and cannot sustain the weight of people or recreational vehicles.

The following is a classic example of the types of incidents that have already occurred this winter season:

Sheboyganpress.com

KOHLER — Two boys were cold and wet Sunday afternoon, but are none the…

Here's the latest horror about the Fall River drowning. Don't let this be the pool you care for, make sure your operators are trained, certified, conscientious and not driven to look the other way.

State pools often stay open after failed tests

Health inspectors’ findings ignored; water quality frequently bad.

State-run pools came under intense scrutiny this summer after Marie Joseph drowned in a Fall…

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. August 31, 2011—While most families will hold fond memories of the fun they had at the pool or beach this summer, at least 1,592 families will remember the summer of 2011 with deep sorrow as the time when their loved one drowned.



“This summer was marred by tragedy for too many…

Here's our letter we wrote to Jeffrey Collins of the Associated Press in response to his pre-Memorial Day story which you can read at this link.  Tell us what you think!

http://ow.ly/5eopR

National Drowning Prevention Alliance President Robert Ogoreuc Received the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s G. Harold Martin Award for 2011.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, May 16, 2011— The…

When apocolyptic events happen, fantastic responses are called for. A "business as usual" approach following these events is common, but uninspired and sub-par.

Business as usual is, "What a tragedy. Bless those families. More people should take swimming lessons. Oh, what a shame!" And then we turn our backs and resume our daily routines.



In my mind, there is only…