At least once a day I am asked the question, “Why are the lifeguards doing that thing with their heads?” I have also heard this referred to as: head bobbing, head nodding, shaking their heads, acting like robots, and saying yes over and over again. Trust me I’ve heard it all and if you’ve ever visited one of our two waterparks then you probably know exactly what I am talking about.
Call it what you like but we refer to it this as scanning. Scanning is a lifeguarding technique in which lifeguards are trained to vigilantly watch their zone (area of a pool) by moving their head in a regular pattern. Doing so ensures that every area within a pool is being accounted for. Yes we agree it looks a bit strange but it’s one of, if not the most important, skills of a lifeguard. Our lifeguards are not just trained to look at the water but rather to see through it. Pools are 3 dimensional so lifeguards must be able to view the surface, middle, and bottom of the water.
So just in case you were wondering…
No, our lifeguards aren’t losing their minds!
No, it does not make them dizzy!
No, they are not bopping their heads along to the music!
They are simply scanning.
Have you also wondered about that loud door bell sound? Well you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out what it is.
Comments
Scanning 201 says:
August 17, 2011 at 9:32 am
Sea Serpent says:
July 4, 2011 at 10:23 am