Due to a nationwide lifeguard shortage, families hoping for an open community pool or a guarded public beach this summer may have difficulty finding one.
It may even prohibit almost a third of the 309,000 pools across the country from operating, according to the American Lifeguard Association. It also resulted in fewer staffed lifeguard towers at public beaches.
“Ever since lifeguarding started, we’ve had difficulty filling the ranks because it’s a tough job to obtain,” said Wyatt Werneth, the association’s national spokesman.
The job requires extensive physical training, first-aid and trauma training, and a variety of tentative abilities, such as watching the water.
Due to a lack of staff, the city of Overland Park, Kansas, was forced to close two of its five outdoor pools.
City spokeswoman Meg Ralph said, “Our staff worked incredibly hard throughout the winter and spring to hire, train, certify, onboard, and schedule more than 150 lifeguards to safely staff the outdoor pools.”
The pandemic and the suspension of J-1 exchange work visas contribute to the shortage.
“We’re going to get through this,” Werneth said. “As first responders, lifeguards are very resourceful. Even in earlier times when we had a shortage in lifeguards, we find ways to educate and protect the public, which is our number one priority.”
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