The work of a lifeguard isn’t merely keeping a watchful eye on Clarkston’s beaches and waterfronts from a tall tower. Hours of training and certification are required to be part of the Independence Township Parks and Recreation lifesaving staff, facts that often go unnoticed.
‘People see us during the day up on the stands and doesn’t seem like we’re doing much, but it takes a lot of preparation,? Kevin Breen, Independence Township aquatics director, said.
Twenty-five lifeguards make up this year’s staff for the Parks and Recreation Department. Starting with training in the preseason, the staff constantly updates skills and certification.
‘We have people here (Deer Lake) from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the public,? Breen said.
Individuals interested in becoming a lifeguard have to start off by meeting one basic requirement: age. Candidates must be at least 16 to be a lifeguard. From there candidates are given a written exam covering facts, lifesaving scenarios, how to scan the water for potential accidents and rescue breathing and then complete a 200-meter swim.
‘You have to be in pretty good shape,? Breen said.
Before the beaches open to the public every year, lifeguards update CPR skills, practice important rescue breathing in the actual lakes, perform passive and active ‘save? situations and different types of backboarding for victims.
‘You have to be able to backboard someone in under three minutes,? Breen said. ‘Most of us can do it in one minute thirty seconds.?
This is all in addition to weekly trainings, meetings, first aid updates, missing persons searches and boat rescues, a skill not required of the staff.
‘The CPR can be challenging, but we’ve gone over it so much,? Mike Jefferies, lifeguard, said.
Such preparedness makes the lifeguards the first source to call in an emergency.
‘If there is an accident on the lake, the guards are called first since they’re better trained,? Breen said. ‘It takes the rescue divers an hour to get here.?
Keeping in shape is an important aspect of the lifeguard’s job. Many of Independence Township’s lifeguards are training together for the upcoming triathalon later this summer in downtown Clarkston. Many staff members were high school swimmers and teach swimming lessons in addition to guarding.
The hard work of the aquatics staff has paid off. Independence Township was recently recognized with a platinum award from Ellis and Associates, a group that goes to beaches nationwide to make sure safety and procedural protocols are being met at all times.
Ellis comes announced to local beaches, such as Deer Lake, and videotapes daily activities in addition to administering performance exams to staff members. The review of safety practices tends to happen three times a season.
‘We follow the 10/20 rule from Ellis. We have to recognize a situation in 10 seconds and respond in 20,? Breen said.
Being able to provide the community with first class service is a plus to many guards when working with local residents.
‘The community is really fun to work with. I’ve met a lot of regular people,? Katie Osterhage, beach director, said. ‘People recognize you when you go out.?
Meeting together outside of the work environment is one of the perks for staff members.
‘I’ve made a lot of new friends here in the time I’ve been here,? Ian Haaseth, lifeguard, said.
Being friends with each other makes for a more enjoyable working environment, according to Breen.
‘We have a really good group here,? Breen said. ‘We feel comfortable with each other and rely on one another to keep the beaches safe. When you’re friends with everyone, you come to work and don’t want to let them down.?