The Lifeguard(s) Who Wouldn't

Yesterday, John Daley mentioned this article in the context of its being a slow news day.  I didn't read it until I was at work, so I had to withhold comment, but not now.  I am astounded by the callousness, ignorance, and stupidity of the lifeguard(s) in that situation.  If you're a lifeguard, it is your job to put yourself at risk to save others.  I would hope that the salary would be only one motivator, the better being your innate desire to help others, especially children.  So a three-year-old presents needing rescue breathing and you demur for want of a shield?

Dismissal is too easy a punishment.  The article was optimistic about the child's prognosis, so I'll assume a full recovery.  In which case the lifeguard(s) should be pilloried, flogged, and then dismissed.

Comments

[massmarrier]

Houghton's Pond is a lazy-lifeguard's delight. It's a frigging wading pool. It has may guards for the beach length, often two to a chair. The "swimming" area is tiny, shallow and very restricted.

There are problems here of training and supervision as well as heart. If those clowns were not given the shields and tubes, that is the DCR's head in a basket. Hell, even when I taught spin, both were within sight and reach at all times. These are standard gear everywhere they may be needed.

Then to the big point on the lifeguards last weekend -- as the Black Eyed Peas sing, "people acting like they ain't got no mamas." What kind of professional lifesaver won't save a life? Didn't they have any upbringing either?

If they don't bring the right gear to where they are likely to need it, both the supervisors and the lifeguards should be fired. If they put themselves in the situation where they need to resuscitate a dying child without gear, well, that's their jobs, isn't it?

I was a lifeguard for years and pulled my share out of oceans and pools. I can't imagine letting someone die for my lack of preparedness or squeamishness.

A double pox on them.

[massmarrier]

So now the Metro, Globe and Herald are running the reaction from the DCR, who runs the Houghton Pond show. In what may or may not be accurate slant, the DCR says everything was under control. That may be "These are not the droids you seek," or may be a fair take. I'd bet some of each.

However, the Globe's version says those there called the lifeguards confused and slow to act. It also notes that the lifeguards cleared the pond, which of course, put a lot of people hovering near the drowned boy.

I'd also bet that the teen lifeguards were confused and stunned. We can hope that the DCR reviews its procedures and training. Seconds count when someone is not breathing and has a minimal pulse.

Training, training and more training teaches lifeguards to act quickly and confidently. Even in this big bathtub setting, people have drowned. Putting Red Cross certified Life Savers in a chair is not necessarily the end of responsibility.

I am invested in this. I still can't go to the beach or a pool without scanning swimmers for distress. Far too many people drown.

[MARTINS]

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME LIFEGUARDS AT HOUGHTON'S POND HAVE BEEN NEGLEGANT. MAYBE YOU REMEMBER IN JULY OF 1999, A 7 YR. OLD GIRL DROWNED THERE-WHILE THERE WERE 9 LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY. SHE WAS MY BABY SISTER. SHE DIED SHORTLY AFTER, AT A HOSPITAL IN BOSTON - 1 WEEK BEFORE HER 8TH BIRTHDAY. DOCTORS STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN UNDER FOR ALMOST 20 MINUTES. 20 MINUTES BEFORE SOMEONE NOTICED HER FLOATING. THE "RESPONSIBLE ADULTS" WHOSE CARE SHE WAS UNDER DIDN'T NOTICE HER MISSING EITHER. SOME SERIOUS REVISIONS NEED TO BE MADE TO THE CRITERIA REQ.'D FOR POSITION AS LIFEGUARD-PERHAPS A PROVEN RECORD OF RECORD OF LIFE-SAVING? AN AGE REQ.? THE POSITION OF "LIFEGUARDING" IS TOO SERIOUS TO BE CONSIDERED A P.T. SUMMER POSITION FOR EXTRA MONEY! FOREVER HURTING