If one lifeguard is performing a rescue, does the other lifeguard clear/close the pool?

Question

What does the other lifeguard do?

Answer 1

It depends on where you work, and the situation.

I'll use the wavepool where I worked for example. If someone was having trouble swimming/sinking like a rock (in 5 feet of water =P) one of the lifeguards would hit the emergency stop (for the waves) button then jump in and help the person, the others kept patrolling the pool, it didn't have to be cleared.

However, if someone was found UNCONSCIOUS floating around in the pool, the whistle for EMS would be blown, and the pool would be cleared by whoever wasn't attending to the victim.

It really depends on where you are working at... No idea what they would do at a regular pool. I doubt they would clear the pool unless the person is unconscious, or some other sort of life-threatening happenings were taking place.

There is no need to clear the pool, really, unless the victim needs serious medical attention, or you can't safely access the victim due to there being too many people in the pool.

Answer 2

Yes...then the other lifeguard should help the rescue lifeguard