Horizons Magazine | July 2019 Horizons Magazine | July 2019 Reduced | Page 17

The lifeguards stress that it’s the swimmers and parents themselves that serve
as the first defense against drowning. They suggest poolgoers abide by the
following guidelines to ensure a stress-free swimming experience.
lifeguard-skills test — before finally receiving
their certification. But our lifeguards’ training
doesn’t stop there as they put their skills to the
test with weekly practices. Visit the Natatorium
any Thursday morning and you’re likely to find
the lifeguards swimming laps, diving into the
pool to save fellow “drowning” lifeguards and
performing CPR on dummies.
UPCOMING LIFEGUARD COURSES
Tue–Fri • 9–12 Jul
Wed & Thu • 7, 8, 14 & 15 Aug
Fri–Mon • 1–4 Nov
Sign up at the Natatorium three days prior
to the first class date. Call the Natatorium at
225-6133 for more information.
• If you’re not a strong
swimmer, stay near the
pool’s edge or where you can
stand. The pools have depth
lines and numbers along the
side. Always be aware of your
height and where you are in
relation to the pool depth.
• Don’t force yourself to
do anything you’re not
comfortable with.
• Make sure you’re always in
sight of a lifeguard.
• Understand and follow the
pool rules.
• If you’re not comfortable
with your or your child’s
swimming abilities, buy
a Coast Guard approved
lifejacket or borrow one from
the Natatorium or Sakana
Pool free of charge.
• Parents, you must always be
within arm’s reach of your
young child.
• If your child is over the age of
five and is a strong swimmer,
stay attentive at all times.
Intervene if they are not
following pool rules, drifting
horizons
over to the deep end or
JULY 2019
getting too tired to swim.
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