Swim at your own risk — New Warning about critical lack of lifeguards
Lifeguard Shortage Affecting Public Swimming Pools
By Pool News
Experts say that a lifeguard shortage could affect a third of nationwide public pools. The ongoing staffing shortages are causing many swimming pools around the nation to shorten operation hours and in some cases close earlier this swim season, according to the the American Lifeguard Association.
There are shortages in practically every sector relating to swimming pools, so why should lifeguards be any different? The labor shortages this country is experiencing can be felt everywhere; from convenience stores to restaurants, to your local community swimming pool.
With a massive heat wave gripping many parts of the nation, having public pools closed due to lifeguard shortages couldn’t come at a worse time. It’s a problem that looks as if it will persist well past this swim season.
What is Causing a Shortage of Lifeguards?
Here are the key factors. The first is that lifeguard certification classes were suspended in the early stages of the pandemic, which prevented new lifeguards from being trained and prevented those who already held certification from renewing it. Second, when pools were closed, many lifeguards found better-paying professions and ultimately chose not to come back to work. Staffing these empty positions has been slow going.
Finally, foreign work permits like J-1 were suspended as of June 2020 as a measure to safeguard the public’s health during the pandemic. According to Bernard J. Fisher, director of health and safety for the American Lifeguard Association, many lifeguard positions in the United States have been held by young people with J-1 visas for the past 20 years.
Read full story: Pool Magazine
