Communication

Supervising a swimming pool to ensure safety means communicating with pool users. Good communication between lifeguards and pool users is vital. It enables order to be kept, the right atmosphere to be created and good public relations to be maintained. Although hand or whistle signals have a part to play, a lifeguard’s most important communication medium is the spoken word backed up by the appropriate body language. A whistle can attract attention and will usually be followed by oral instructions although lifeguards should only use whistles when it is really necessary. Body language is also a powerful  communication medium.