Re: Don't lose your textbook, Chris Haggerty.
Peter Van Houten (peterva@SOLAR.VND.TEK.COM)
Tue, 30 Jan 1996 12:04:18 PST
If I may add my .02 worth regarding lifeguards...
>>Anyone doing lifeguarding should have proper equipment and
>>training. What was found is that the above does not describe a
realistc
>>senario. In real situations this almost never happens.
First, some credibility. Yes I have been a lifeguard, certified by
Red Cross, and this was how I put myself through college. I guarded
at public and private pools, and at natural lakes.
Second, yes I've used almost every type of rescue equipment or process
including Go and mouth-to-mouth without the benefit of a mouth tubing
device that I understand is prevalent now.
Third, No I am not a lifeguard now, and have not been invloved in
updating my training for the past 12 years. Thus I don't know what is
being taught these days.
However, I do know that when a small boy hit his head on the dive
board and sunk like a rock to the bottom, there was no hesitation
on my part to enter the water. I didn't check with anyone whether I
would be liable, or whether I should use the pole. I knew that the
only way I was going to save that boy was to dive in.
The second incident included a lake and panic swimmer in which the
swimmer disappeared. Unable to locate the swimmer from the surface
I entered the water to search. I located the swimmer in a small
pocket of air under a dock-type raft. She was hysterical and not
willing to leave that pocket of air. I told her I'd be with her
as we went back under the surface and that we would have to swim
a little under water. As we went under water she panic'd and I had
to place her in a cross-chest carry to 1. keep her from hurting
herself under the raft, and 2. get her safely out of the situation.
Real situations do happen. While I don't condone hurting a victim
physical restraint may be necessary to safe their life as well as
your own.
Peter
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Peter Van Houten Tektronix, Inc.
Technical Support Group Video and Networking Division
<peterva@solar.vnd.tek.com> P.O. Box 500, M/S 58-900
(503) 685-5634 14180 SW Karl Braun Dr.
(503) 627-2763 (Fax) Beaverton, OR 97077
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"My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion for ever." Ps 73:26
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Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
