Drownings in Lifeguarded Pools - Why Submerged Victims Go Unnoticed

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Join us for the inaugural webinar event for our new Quarterly Aquatics Webinar Series.

Lifeguards are expected to respond to patrons in distress before injury occurs.  However, per a 2011 report from the CDC, lifeguards failed to do so several hundred times from 2000 to 2008. When drownings occur with lifeguards on duty, lifeguards are often blamed for the tragedy. But, based on scientific studies, lifeguards may unknowingly be positioned where drowning victims cannot be identified.  Failing to properly position lifeguards provides a false sense of security to the public and sets lifeguards up to fail. This session will provide scientifically-based drowning prevention strategies that can be easily adopted by any facility that employs lifeguards.

Learning Objectives

  1. Discuss limitations of current lifeguard positioning strategies and the impact on families and lifeguards when a fatal drowning occurs with lifeguards on duty.
  2. Apply scientific data to improve safety at aquatic facilities.
  3. Analyze options to optimize positioning and training of lifeguards.

Maria Bella

President - Professional Pool Solutions, LLC

Maria Bella has been actively involved in the aquatics industry for more than 40 years. She has operated numerous aquatic facilities, is degreed in aquatic engineering, and has served as a Subject Matter Expert for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, International Code Council, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, and the American Red Cross. Bella provides education and consulting services to directors of university, municipal, school district, hospitality, and private entity aquatic facilities. She has patents for equipment and systems developed to improve lifeguard effectiveness. Maria is one of six AFO Instructor Trainers, and contributed to the 7th and 8th editions of the Aquatic Facility Operator Manual.

Bill O’Melia

Board Member & Founder, Drennen’s Dreams Foundation

Bill O'Melia is a General Building Contractor in Colorado.  Bill is married to his wife Melissa and is the proud father of three boys. On June 6, 2010 Bill and Melissa lost their oldest son, Drennen, age 12, to a fatal drowning in their lifeguarded community pool. Drennen had just started his seventh summer of competitive swimming the day before and had qualified for All-Stars in all three of his individual events. Since May of 2014, Bill has shared Drennen's story with hundreds of thousands of lifeguards and aquatics professionals nationally and is featured in the American Red Cross video "Not on Your Watch".

The Drennen's Dreams Foundation actively supports lifeguarding by raising money for training, equipment and educational materials for lifeguards, aquatic managers and facility owner/operators. 

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