Occupational fitness standards for beach lifeguards. Phase 1: the physiological demands of beach lifeguarding.
BACKGROUND
Although similar standards exist internationally to select beach lifeguards (BLGs), these are generally not based on a task analysis. To reduce the likelihood of drowning, a BLG should reach a casualty within 3.5 min (210 s).


OBJECTIVE
To quantify the physical demands of the most critical generic tasks undertaken by BLGs.


METHODS
A survey of 91 BLGs identified sea swimming while towing a casualty, board paddling with a casualty, and casualty handling as the most demanding activities. Performance during beach running (200 m), swimming in the sea (200 m), board paddling in the sea (400 m), swimming in a pool (200 m freestyle and 25 m underwater with 25 m return) and simulated casualty handling were measured.


RESULTS
The median area at sea patrolled by paddling and swimming was 400 m. The mean 200-m sea swim time was 3.1 min or 188 s (SD = 46 s) and 95% of the BLGs were able to swim 200 m in 3.5 min (n = 22). The mean time to paddle 400 m was 3.8 min or 226 s (SD = 35 s) and 30% of the BLGs were able to paddle 400 m in 3.5 min (n = 23). The 5th percentile paddling speed was 1.38 m/s, therefore, 95% of the BLGs tested should be able to paddle 289 m in 3.5 min.


CONCLUSIONS
If only a rescue board is available, the area out to sea patrolled by a lifeguard should be reduced from 400 m to 300 m.
Reilly
T
T
Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK. tara.reilly@port.ac.uk
Wooler
A
A
Tipton
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D018635:Rescue Work; D012420:Running; D013550:Swimming; D013997:Time Factors