Aiken communities feeling lifeguard shortage at pools

GRANITEVILLE --- With summer in full force, directors of local public pools need certified lifeguards to ensure that swimmers stay safe. In Aiken County that has proved a problem.

Brian Sanders, director of the Aiken County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department, says finding certified lifeguards has been a challenge.

"It gets worse every year," said Mr. Sanders. "We have gone to the 11th hour of every summer, trying to get enough staff just to open our pool."

Aiken County has one public swimming pool at the Aiken County Recreation Center on 917 Jefferson Davis Highway, Graniteville.

Mr. Sanders says the center keeps at least two lifeguards on duty at all times.

"We have enough lifeguards working at the moment, but I would say that if we had any apply, we could probably find a position for them," he said.

In the past, lifeguard jobs have been appealing to teenagers and college students. Now, Mr. Sanders says he has found that a lot of teenagers either don't have summer jobs or don't want summer jobs.

"We haven't gone so far as to actually pay for someone's certification, but we may have to do that," Mr. Sanders said.

He is not the only one to have trouble finding qualified lifeguards. In recent years, public swimming areas around the country have seen a drop in the number of lifeguard applications.

The reasons for the national shortage vary. In many areas, newly constructed water parks have attracted the lifeguards that once worked at public pools. Also, teens might have found other summer jobs that involve fewer responsibilities and do not require certification.

Becoming a lifeguard involves being certified in first aid and CPR. Lifeguards must keep their certifications up to date, and the CPR certificates for professional rescuers must be renewed once every year.

Mr. Sanders said lifeguards are worth it to recruit and hire.

"We have never had a fatality. In the past 15 years, we have only had one near-drowning, and that child was saved thanks to the lifeguards on duty. I'm very proud of our record down there," he said.

According to Mr. Sanders, the normal hourly pay for a lifeguard is $7.65.

Depending on their personal schedule, lifeguards at the Aiken County Recreation Center may work anywhere from 10 to 40 hours a week.

Many young adults are interested in becoming lifeguards, but often wait until the summer to sign up for training courses, said Dianne Lariscy, director of health and safety services for Red Cross of Augusta. By the time they try to sign up, the courses are finished.

Ms. Lariscy says working as a lifeguard can be rewarding, especially for teenagers.

"Someone working as a lifeguard will make a lot more than someone flipping burgers," she said. "They will get paid back tenfold once they get into the workforce."

Ms. Lariscy encourages anyone interested in a lifeguard job to consider beginning training courses as early as January when they are being offered by the Red Cross at local indoor pools.