2929 West River Road North   ♦   Elyria, Ohio 44035   ♦   440-324-2929

Overview of the Red Cross Aquatics Market

The role of training lifeguard has been a constant feature of Red Cross Health & Safety Services since its inception in 1914. To continue as the leader in the field of lifeguard training, it is imperative that our courses The role of training lifeguards has been a constant feature of Red Cross Health and Safety Services since stay current and on the cutting edge in terms of content, administration and delivery.

Development of the new Lifeguarding program occurred with customer and chapter needs in mind. Advisory groups consisting of chapter personnel and experts in the field of aquatic safety worked with NHQ employees on the technical, implementation and marketing components of this course. As well, market research was conducted with product purchasers to determine features most important to their needs.

Lifeguard Training, due to release in January of 2001, includes the courses and modules necessary for a comprehensive lifeguard training program. Another new component, the Lifeguard Management/Aquatic Examiner Service is currently scheduled to release in the Fall of 2001.

The design of the final Lifeguarding program participant and instructor materials reflect the latest scientific research and best practices, consistent with identified Emergency Cardiovascular Care 2000 guidelines. They also reflect changes based on customer and chapter input. Some of the differences in the new course include

  • Shorter instruction time;
  • More skills-based scenarios and decision-making;
  • Consolidated participant and instructor training materials; and
  • Formal incorporation of courses/modules - Automated External Defibrillation , Oxygen Administration for the Professional Rescuer, Preventing Disease Transmission and Waterfront and Waterpark Lifeguarding.

Following the national trend, the aquatics industry has given more and more attention to the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED's). AED's are becoming recognized at aquatic facilities as an integral step in the cardiac Chain of Survival.

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