At AB Show 2024, aquatics professionals dove deep into training techniques Wednesday morning. Madison Seil, recreation superintendent for the town of Trophy Club, Texas, hosted the session, “Dive Deep: The Importance of Realistic Aquatics Training.”
Seil’s session provided attendees with actionable tips for improving their lifeguard training strategies and preparing their team for the worst case scenario, so they are prepared to deliver the best possible outcomes. She covered strategies to make in-services more effective, resources for her must-have products and online tools to create strong messaging on the seriousness of becoming a lifeguard.
“My recommendation and the thing that I have found that works the best is to use videos early and often. It might not be a part of your certification curriculum, but I show drowning videos day one of lifeguarding class. If you get sick to your stomach, in a good way, and you want to help that person and make sure that doesn't happen, I want you on my team. If you're terrified, that's okay, but lifeguarding is not for you. And I want to know that now, right? Once we get a certified lifeguard, we want to make sure that they are constantly reminded that this is what real drowning looks like,” said Seil.
Real drowning, Seil reminded attendees is no the clean and simple process that some training scenarios make it out to be. Her session went on to describe the real drowning she witnessed as a manager at a facility.
“I really like to start with my ‘why’ of why Aquatics is important to me and why training is important to me. So this is Zachary,” said Seil, “Zachary looked lifeless, he was blue. His stomach was distended, he wasn't breathing.”
Descriptions of discolored skin, distended stomachs and bodily fluids are what Seil says is missing from most lifeguard training. She is passionate about preparing lifeguards for the “gross” side of drowning. Some of her recommendations for incorporating that into training include:
Use of video auditing
Randomized, unscheduled training while the pool is open
Using real people for training over CPR dummies
Using the real products that would be used in an emergency
Seil wrapped up her session by including questions from the audience, as attendees shared their lifeguard training experiences and the best practices that have helped them grow and educate their staff.
For more information about AB Show 2024 visit: www.abshow.com
