Surf lifeguards sometimes appear very strong, vigilant, and heroic. They face inhospitable waves, unpredictable weather, and potentially thick people by saving lives. Behind the scenes, the emotional and psychological impact at the workplace is significantly high. Surf lifeguards put themselves into situations where they face the possibility of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of the nature of the job stress.
This blog looks into how there is much connection between lifeguarding and PTSD, also highlighting why a Lifeguard Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is an important aspect to anyone in this profession and how different bodies like the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) are working on support to lifeguards’ mental health:
The Hidden Truths Surf Lifeguards Face
These exceptional individuals, the surf lifeguards, are unseen first responders to life-threatening emergencies. Rescuing from drowning to CPR on an unresponsive emergency victim, the job of a surf lifeguard is very stressful, indeed. Although surf lifeguards are trained to perform emergency conditions, the emotional after-effects sometimes extend way beyond that event.
Research points out that first responders including lifeguards face about twice or more chances of developing PTSD compared with the general population. PTSD is considered a mental health condition brought about by experiencing or witnessing horrific events.
Symptoms may include flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and feeling frozen emotionally. Traumatic memories that can precede persons such as lifeguards cover failed rescues, serious injury cases, or fatalities resulting from a rescue.
The uneven nature of the ocean adds one more strain. Unlike pool lifeguards, surf lifeguards have to deal with surf powerful waves, rip currents, and changing environmental conditions. That state of preparedness can lead one towards chronic stress, which remains untreated, causing PTSD.
The Role of Lifeguard Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is an important strategy in effectively managing emergencies and reducing the psychological impact on lifeguards. EAP represents what events lifeguards can take as response measures during an emergency such as water rescues, medical incidents, or natural disasters like fires. Though the point of an EAP is to serve the victim’s safety during these emergency events, it ends up being an important part of retaining lifeguard mental health.
Here’s how a wonderfully well-designed EAP could reduce the risk of PTSD for surf lifeguards:
- Clear Guidelines Reduce Uncertainty
Here are some clear guideline uncertainties for our emergencies. If lifeguards don’t know what to do, they might even have second thoughts about what they did and feel guilty for not doing the right thing. This comprehensive EAP gives lifeguards clear, step-by-step instructions on what they need to do so that they can act with confidence and duly without any hesitation.
- Promotes Team Coordination
So, this brings about the benefits of coordinating teamwork. Since, an emergency almost always involves a great cooperative activity, much of the stress level would be exacerbated by miscommunication. An EAP must define roles and responsibilities for each team member so that they would know what is to be expected of them for smooth coordination. So, everyone knows it’s their role; they could focus on what they’re doing without getting all freaked out.
- Promotes Post-Incident Debriefing
Post-incident debriefing is one of the features of procedures in EAPs. It is fundamental for lifeguards to discuss what happened, how they feel about it, and ways of doing things better. The debriefing will help process some of those emotions left unaddressed and therefore will help prevent them from festering and possibly leading to posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Access to Mental Health:
A model forward-thinking EAP should provide mental health provisions such as connecting lifeguards to counsellors, stress management workshops, and helplines; through this, organizations work towards creating an environment of caring and resilience.
The Commitment of the American Lifeguard Association towards Mental Welfare of Lifeguards
This is the USA’s leading organization carrying forward lifeguard training and safety standards to even greater lengths. So, while surf lifesavers are aware of unique challenges, proactive measures by the ALA address these issues to reduce the risk of PTSD and promote good mental health.
- EAPs Should Be Comprehensive:
Developed by the ALA, advanced training programs provide lifeguards with training beyond physical rescue techniques. These will include stress management, emotional resilience, and signs of possible PTSD, which can help overcome the psychological dimension of this job.
- Strong Advocacy on EAP Development
The ALA calls out specific critical necessity statements for the establishment of strong, resilient Lifeguard Emergency Action Plans (EAPs). They also give guidelines to include mental health resources in an EAP, ensuring lifeguards would have the necessary access to resources.
- Advocacy for Lifeguard Mental Health
The ALA has its voice for lifeguard mental health. It raises awareness of the aspect of possible development of PTSD and the significance of early intervention. The ALA extends its association with mental health and draws professionals to create resources suitable to the particular needs of lifeguards.
Practical Steps for Implementing an EAP Effectively
These are some practical approaches that a lifeguard supervisor or other aquatic safety personnel could take to create and put in place an effective Lifeguard Emergency Action Plan (EAP):
Risk Assessment
Find out what emergencies your lifeguards may respond to, such as drownings, possible spinal injuries, or severe weather. An EAP is thus used to meet specific conditions.
Define Roles and Responsibilities
Clearly define the role of each team member during an emergency as a primary rescuer, secondary support, and communication coordinator.
Include Mental Health Support
Ensuring EAP offers mental health support services such as counselling or stress management workshops.
Train Regularly and Practice
Regular and specific training and drills are essential to ensuring that lifeguards know about the EAP. Realistic emergencies should serve as a basis for practice scenarios.
Debrief After Each Incident
Conduct debriefing after any emergency about what happened, how the team responded, and how every participant feels about the incident. This could be the first line of defence from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Review and Revise the EAP
A reliable, comprehensive, updated EAP creates an active document catering to developing feedback or conditions requiring changes. Review and revise it regularly.
Final Words: Prioritizing Lifeguard Mental Health
Quite often, surf lifeguards work like pure heroes; all these bring many emotional and psychological effects around them as well. Hardly can anyone neglect the high risk of any possible development of PTSD. Mental health protection cost-saving by the aforementioned effective Lifeguard Emergency Action Plan (EAP), in addition to more effective emergency response, may not be unrecognized, particularly on the part of its lifeguards.
The American Lifeguard Association is the fastest becoming the national face of lifeguard welfare by providing training, resources, and advocacy on behalf of those who would give the lives of others to save them. It is time to join our voices in lauding the gallantry of surf lifeguards and fortifying that brawny bulwark of support while ensuring they thrive, both on and off the beach.
If you are a lifeguard or participate in aquatic safety, check your EAP and make sure it provides for mental health. Together, we will build a safe and healthier environment for those protecting our waters.
