Surveillance II

Question 1

How to scan effectively

Answer 1

• move your head and eyes and look directly at each patron in your zone. Adjust your body position or stand up as necessary to gain better visibility
• scan the areas around plat features or other structures
• search the bottom, middle and surface of the water
• observer for signs of non-swimmers, inexperienced swimmers or person in trouble
• scan the areas under, around and directly in front of the lifeguard station

Question 2

Signal

Answer 2

Distressed swimmer or drowning person

Question 3

Noise

Answer 3

Everything else

Question 4

Hit

Answer 4

You detect a distressed swimmer or a drowning person, and you respond

Question 5

False alarm

Answer 5

There is no distressed swimmer or drowning person but you think you detect one
- if in doubt, it is best to initiate a rescue

Question 6

Miss

Answer 6

There is a distressed swimmer or drowning person, but you do not detect them

Question 7

Correct rejection

Answer 7

There is no distressed swimmer or drowning person, and you do not respond

Question 8

Inattentional blindness

Answer 8

When a person completely misses something in their line of sight because they are focused on something else

Question 9

How to increase the likelihood of hits and correct rejections when you are scanning

Answer 9

1. Reduce internal and external distractions
2. Focus your attention on assessing each patron in your zone with every 30 second span
3. Come to work well-rested, stay hydrated and take frequent breaks from surveillance duty
4. Continuously work on you ability to recognise distressed swimmers and people who are drowning

Question 10

Watching

Answer 10

Passive and reactive

Question 11

Searching

Answer 11

Deliberate, active, proactive and requires your mind to be alert

Question 12

How long should surveillance duty last

Answer 12

1 hour

Question 13

Ways to stay vigilant

Answer 13

1. Posture and position
2. Get enough rest
3. Drink fluids and keep cool
4. Exercise and energy

Question 14

Ground level rotation

Answer 14

• incoming lifeguard actively scans the zone as they are walking towards the lifeguarding station
• incoming lifeguard stands to the side of the outgoing lifeguard
• lifeguards exchange information about any situations that need special attention
• outgoing lifeguard confirms the incoming lifeguards readiness, signals the zone is clear and transfers responsibility
• outgoing lifeguard continues actively scanning the zone as they walk away

Question 16

Elevated station rotations

Answer 16

• incoming lifeguard begins actively scanning the zone
• incoming lifeguard stands to the side of the station
• confirms they have the zone covered and signals for the outgoing lifeguard to climb down
• outgoing lifeguard stands to the side of the station and takes responsibility for actively scanning the zone
• incoming lifeguard climbs onto the stand
• lifeguards exchange information
• outgoing lifeguard confirms and signals that the zone is clear and transfers responsibility
• outgoing lifeguard continues actively scanning as they walk away