Across all industries, shortages are common. Lifeguards are now in short supply.
According to the American Lifeguard Association, about a third (33%) of all public pools in the country are affected by the shortage. Some pools have had to cut their hours or close entirely because of this. It also warns that the shortage could continue into next year.
The effects are being felt in pools from Raleigh to St. Louis to New Orleans to Austin. ABC11 reported Friday that Raleigh’s half-open pools are still in place.
The number of lifeguards has been affected by the pandemic. It has meant that there have been two years of very limited lifeguard training, and the expiring of certifications, Bernard J. Fisher II (director of safety and health for the lifeguard association) told NPR.
Fisher believes that there was a 20-year lifeguard shortage. This was due to the development of condos with lifeguards and hotels that required them. Thousands of people from Eastern Europe arrived in the U.S. to fill these lifesaving jobs on J-1 visas. He said that the industry relied heavily on visa holders.
Fisher stated that the Trump administration had sent “shockwaves through this area”.
Fisher said that just before the pandemic, there was a real problem. He explained that we had lost the majority J-1 visa students and then the pandemic struck. “That was the straw that broke everything.”
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation in the first months of the pandemic that placed a number of visas for work on pause. This included the J-1. It was difficult to travel internationally. The pools were also closed.
President Biden allowed the temporary visa ban to expire. Fisher believes that it will take time to recover from the shortage.
He said, “We will have lifeguard shortages next year.” It will take many years to overcome this situation because the Eastern Europeans situation isn’t good for candidates.
Fisher explained that in these times of shortage, some communities have asked swim instructors to become lifeguards. He said that swimming lessons are a great way to avoid drowning.
Fisher stated that water safety is particularly important because there are fewer lifeguards on the chairs.
Fisher stressed the importance of having a designated water watcher aEUR,” someone who will be watching out for the children. He said that children who are not proficient swimmers should wear approved life jackets from the U.S Coast Guard, regardless of whether they’re at a beach or community pool.
Fisher stated that groups often think someone is watching them, but no one is. “That’s what our team has been doing for many years. It’s especially important this year.
