Closing the Gap for Aquatic Staff

The Overlooked First Responders

When we think of first responders, we often think of firefighters, paramedics, or police officers, but what about lifeguards and aquatic staff? These professionals are responsible for life safety at pools, beaches, and waterparks, yet they’ve been dubbed the “forgotten first responders.” Unlike other emergency responders, aquatic personnel have little research or formal support systems addressing the mental health toll of their work, especially after critical incidents like drownings or water rescues.

Out of 385 academic articles on critical incident stress, only four focused on lifeguards and aquatic staff. Meanwhile, studies on police, fire, and EMS personnel number in the hundreds. This lack of recognition leaves many aquatic professionals without the tools or resources they need to recover from traumatic job-related events.

Understanding Critical Incident Stress

Critical Incident Stress (CIS) refers to the emotional and psychological strain after responding to a traumatic event, especially one involving serious injury or death. Among emergency responders, CIS is linked to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout. 

Aquatic professionals are just as vulnerable, if not more so, because of their frequent exposure to child-related emergencies, the high-pressure nature of rescues, and the expectation to quickly return to duty without adequate support.

The lack of mental health infrastructure not only affects individual well-being but can lead to increased turnover, low morale, and safety risks within facilities already struggling to retain staff.

A Call to Action: Participate in Groundbreaking Research

To address these gaps, the International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance (ILCIRA), in partnership with researchers at Kennesaw State University, is launching the first large-scale survey on the Prevalence and impact of critical incidents among aquatic personnel. 

This survey aims to gather essential data to inform the development of mental health programs designed specifically for aquatic professionals, including Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) strategies already used in other first-responder fields. ,Sign up to be notified when the survey launches and help us build a future where aquatic staff receive the support they deserve: Join the Interest List

By participating, you’re helping reshape the future of mental health in aquatics ensuring that those who protect others are also protected themselves.