Who may be responsible for summoning EMS professionals and bringing them to the scene of an emergency?

Who may be responsible for summoning EMS professionals and bringing them to the scene of an emergency?

• A. A member who is not a lifeguard
• B. The lifeguard alone
• C. A bystander
• D. The coach

Answer: (A)

In emergencies at a pool or aquatic facility, getting professional help to the scene quickly is essential, and the person who calls for EMS doesn’t have to be the lifeguard. A trained team member who is not a lifeguard can be responsible for summoning EMS and directing responders to the location. This lets the lifeguard focus on the rescue or patient care while a designated staff member handles getting EMS on the way. Facilities often designate this role to a non-lifeguard team member so that EMS is activated promptly, even if the lifeguard is occupied with the situation. A bystander may not have the trained knowledge to relay precise information, and a coach or others may be unavailable, so having a trained non-lifeguard on-site ready to call EMS is the most reliable arrangement.

In emergencies at a pool or aquatic facility, getting professional help to the scene quickly is essential, and the person who calls for EMS doesn’t have to be the lifeguard. A trained team member who is not a lifeguard can be responsible for summoning EMS and directing responders to the location. This lets the lifeguard focus on the rescue or patient care while a designated staff member handles getting EMS on the way. Facilities often designate this role to a non-lifeguard team member so that EMS is activated promptly, even if the lifeguard is occupied with the situation. A bystander may not have the trained knowledge to relay precise information, and a coach or others may be unavailable, so having a trained non-lifeguard on-site ready to call EMS is the most reliable arrangement.