Lifeguards are not always present where you are swimming. Any parent or adult that ensures that anyone swimming or playing around the water is under constant supervision are classified as a water watcher. If there isn’t a water watcher and everyone is just making sure that they themselves are ok, accidents are bound to happen. A water watcher is stepping up and taking on the role of a lifeguard to keep and eye on everyone and make sure that safe practices are taking place. A water watcher should meet these requirements :

  1. Be an adult. (at least 16 years of age)
  2. Be able to recognize if someone is in trouble in the water and be able to perform basic rescue skills.
  3. Have access to a phone in case 911 is needed to be called.
  4. Have access to a floating device or a reaching device to use in a rescue situation.