Every area that is prone to drowning victims, such as in a swimming pool, should be guarded by a lifeguard. The management of tourist attractions should provide male and female lifeguards to anticipate accidents that occur.

In broad terms, the role of lifeguards is not only needed in swimming pools, but also applies to beaches, seas, lakes, rivers, and so on.

Most of the drowning victims who died were due to the unavailability of lifeguards in the swimming pool and the drowning time which exceeded 5 minutes.

A lifeguard is someone who works as a first aider when an accident victim occurs while in the water/swimming pool. This lifeguard must have special skills in terms of how to provide appropriate and fast first aid to help victims of water accidents.

The existence of a lifeguard in a water vehicle is absolutely necessary. They will provide service and a sense of security to visitors. The following are the duties of a lifeguard while in the field:

1. Supervise the safety and rescue of visitors in the rides.

2. Provide first aid in case of an accident.

HSE risk management in aquatic activities should be implemented and developed as a form of preventive measures, preventing accidents. These steps include:

1. The management provides a sufficient number of lifeguards (pool supervisors) according to the width/area of the swimming pool and the average number of visitors each day.

2. The management of swimming pools or other water attractions has adequate rescue facilities and is in a strategic place to provide assistance.

3. Providing emergency rooms to accommodate victims along with cots, blankets and availability of medicines for first aid.

4. The management has a system of communication procedures in case of an emergency.

First aid really needs to be given to victims before expert assistance arrives (doctors/ambulance workers/health workers). This is so that victims can avoid death or more severe disability.

A lifeguard should have basic knowledge of how to provide appropriate and fast first aid to help drowning victims and also have basic knowledge of first aid for drowning.

First aid is given to victims who experience the following:

Cramps
Pool users who are just learning to swim often experience cramps. These cramps are caused by swimming that tires the muscles. Victims can also experience cramps due to cold temperatures and lack of salt fluids in the body.

The worst thing is if stomach cramps occur, the victim must be rushed to the hospital to get treatment from a doctor.

Fainted
Visitors or swimming pool users can experience fainting due to fatigue or it can also be due to suffering from other diseases such as typhus or epilepsy.

1. The victim is laid in a safe, shady and dry place.

2. The victim’s swimsuit was loosened so as not to obstruct breathing.
3. Give artificial respiration by blowing breathed air into the victim’s mouth.

4. The lifeguard tilts the victim’s head and opens the victim’s mouth.
5. In an oblique position, the lifeguard checks the victim’s pulse at the neck.

6. The lifeguard gives a second rescue breath by pressing the lower chest ribs repeatedly.

7. When the victim’s breathing returns to normal, the lifeguard should change the victim’s position from supine to prone with the head tilted.

8. If the above treatment does not work, you should immediately take the victim to the nearest doctor or hospital.

The existence of a lifeguard in a water vehicle is a must. Lifeguard is also not the only safety factor in swimming pools. It takes the cooperation of all parties, both visitors and employees at the water rides. In addition, no less important is the availability of facilities and infrastructure for water rescue.