1. Lifesaving History The First American Lifesavers Roots of Modern Lifeguarding Lifesaving Devices Developing National Open Water Lifeguard Standards Modern Lifeguarding Historical Lessons 2. Use and Protection of America''s Beaches Beach Popularity Protecting the Beach Environment 3. The Role of the Professional Lifeguard Responsibilities and Expectations The Lifeguard as Manager USLA Code of Ethics Lifeguard Rewards 4. Open Water Lifeguard Qualifications and Training The USLA Lifeguard Training System Training Modes Minimum Recommended Standards 5. The Surf Beach Waves Shoreline Topography Rip Currents and Lateral Currents Tides Extraordinary Sea States 6. The Flat Water Beach Lack of Surf Buoyancy and Resistance Flotation Devices Crowd Density Currents Beach Topography Weeds and Plant Life Turbidity Seiches Flat Water Lifeguard Strategies 7. Aquatic Life and Related Hazards Marine Life Freshwater Life People 8. Weather Frontal Storms Other Storms Lightning Waterspouts Fog Wind Temperature Floods Sun 9. Drowning Activities Associated with Drowning Higher Risk Populations Drowning Stages Pathophysiology of Drowning 10. Preventive Lifeguarding Public Education Rules and Regulations Signs and Flags Identifying Pre-Events On-Site Preventive Actions Special Operation Modes Extended Shifts After Hours and Post Season Prevention Maintenance Facility Design 11. Water Surveillance Recognition and Assessment Effective Water Observation Area of Responsibility Maintaining Vigilance Coverage Systems 12. Components of a Rescue Recognize and Respond Contact and Control Signal and Save 13. Standard Rescue Equipment Rescue Flotation Devices Swim Fins Rescue Boards Spinal Stabilization Devices 14. Specialized Rescue Equipment Emergency Vehicles Rescue Boats Aircraft Boat Tow Landline 15. Special Rescues and Defenses Rip Current Rescue Multiple Victim Rescue Rescues Without Equipment Defenses Surfer and Bodyboarder Rescues Diver Rescue Fugitive Retrieval Suicide Attempts Fog and Night Rescue Rock and Jetty Rescue Pier Rescue Boat Rescue Automobile Accidents in Water Aircraft Accidents in Water Flood Rescue Shark Bite Rescue Ice Rescue Cliff Rescue 16. Emergency Planning and Management The Incident Command System Emergency Operation Plan Development Managing Common Lifeguard Emergencies 17. Underwater Search and Recovery Search Recovery Crisis Intervention Debriefing and Counseling 18. Medical Care in the Aquatic Environment Lifeguard Medical Training Lifeguard Medical Equipment Providing Medical Care Resuscitation of Drowning Victims Injuries from Aquatic Life Spinal Injuries Cold Water Injuries Legal Issues 19. Scuba Related Illness and Treatment Risks Associated with Scuba Diving How Scuba Works Decompression Illness Reporting Diving Accidents 20. Lifeguard Health and Safety The Lifeguard Athlete Protecting Your Skin Eye Protection Ear Protection Infection Control Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 21. Lifeguard Facilities and Equipment Lifeguard Towers Main Stations Equipment Tower Preparation Tower Maintenance 22. Communication Methods Communication Needs Communication Tools The 9-1-1 System 23. Records and Reports Report Writing Standard Reports Lifeguard Log 24. Public Relations Principles of Lifeguard Deportment Uniforms Cultural Diversity Media Contacts 25. Junior Lifeguard Programs History Junior Lifeguard Program Components 26. The Responsible Lifeguard Legal Considerations Protecting from Liability Professional Responsibility Appendix A: USLA Approved Arm Signal Appendix B: Report Forms Appendix C: Diver Accident Report Forms Appendix D: Knots and Splicing Glossary and Index