The West Philadelphia YMCA has launched a new pilot program that trains students to become lifeguards, writes Ariana Perez-Castells for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
About a year ago, West Philly YMCA advanced aquatics director Theresa Edmondson, was having trouble finding a lifeguard to hire amid a national lifeguard shortage.
She was introduced to a young man at the club that was interested in becoming a lifeguard, but lacked the skills to do so. Edmondson decided to train him, and 2 1/2 months later, he became certified and started working for the YMCA as a lifeguard.
“Most of the more professional swimmers are usually going into something else and are too busy,” Edmondson said. “Using our young people as resources, and in turn, helping them learn skills and work I think is the best way to go about it.”
Throughout a 6-week program in April and May, students in Edmondson’s program met twice a week in person to practice swim drills at the West Philly YMCA; and met over Zoom to watch instructional videos on topics such as CPR and first aid, once a week.
The hope is that the pilot program could be offered again, train more students to become lifeguards, and be implemented at other YMCA branches.
Read more about the effort to address the lifeguard shortage at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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