Fort Rucker DFMWR, Red Cross offer GuardStart to train tomorrow's lifeguards

By Russell Sellers, Army Flier StaffJune 10, 2010

Fort Rucker DFMWR, Red Cross offer GuardStart to train tomorrow's lifeguards
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Children and teens interested in becoming lifeguards may start training now.

Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff recently partnered with the American Red Cross for a GuardStart program to instruct potential lifeguards.

DFMWR Aquatics Manager Jon Cole said the program is a good way to introduce children ages 11-14 to lifeguarding, and prepare them for official lifeguard certification and potential jobs once they reach the legal age requirement of 15.

"This is a great opportunity to get (children) interested in lifeguarding," he said.

The program's goal is to teach future lifeguards how to prevent aquatic accidents, increase fitness and swimming skills and respond to emergencies.

According to a release from the Red Cross, to qualify for the GuardStart program, participants must be able to swim the front crawl 25 yards continuously while breathing to the front or side, tread water for one minute using arms and legs, and submerge and swim a distance of 10 feet underwater.

DFMWR tripled the number of lifeguards it has in the past year. GuardStart is what Cole hopes builds the program for the future, he said, noting he hopes the program passes leadership and teamwork skills to the children as well.

"A lot of what the (children) learn comes from shadowing lifeguard instructors," he said. "They'll see (lifeguards) actually doing the job and get the opportunity to experience those things for themselves."

He is one of the GuardStart instructors along with DFMWR Assistant Aquatics Manager, Jody Valdez, who has been a lifeguard since 2000 and has experience teaching children and adults.

"I really enjoy passing along the knowledge to new people, but experience makes a good lifeguard," he said.

Knowing how to recognize a potential problem, such as a swimmer in distress, is one of the most important fundamentals of being a good lifeguard, he added.

Instruction is conducted at Lake Tholocco and Flynn and Splash! pools for the eight-week course for seven days a week at various times - 9 a.m. to noon, noon to 3 p.m. or 3 to 6 p.m.

For more information or to register for GuardStart, visit Child, Youth and School Services Parent Central Services in Bldg. 5700, Rm. 130, or call 255-9638.