I went to Boy Scout camp last week with my troop. The boys had merit bdge classes all day and there wasn't any good training being offered to the adults, so I decided to sign up for BSA Lifeguard training and certification.
The first day started with a 30 minute classroom session where the waterfront director told us what to expect for the balance of the week. Any self respecting geezer would have gotten up and gone back to sit by the campfire right then. Not me though :wink:
Next up was the 400 meter swim. We did 100 meters of the "approach crawl" head out of the water, eyes straight ahead on our " rescue victim". Then 100 meters of approach breaststroke. again head up, no going under, keep your eyes locked on the victim.
Then a "restful" 100 meters of sidestroke. At this point I'm panting like an old dog and thinking Whoo Boy, glad for a breather. As we start swimming the instructor says "Hey, You guys are lifeguards, if you're doing the sidestroke, then you're towing a person, so get one arm up out of the water!" YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!
Then finally 100 meters of backstroke to which the instructor says "enjoy it gentlement, that's the last time you'll do the backstroke this week."
Well the rest of the week went about the same. Go to class , get in the water, swim laps. get out, learn a technique, jump in and practice it SEVERAL times, get out, explain what we did wrong, practice some more.
Well after about 150 jumps into the water I managed to suck in some lake water. This week I'm on antibiotics for pneumonia. Lake water and lungs don't mix.
By the way, I passed all the skills and speed challenges, so now I'm a 45 year old lifeguard
The first day started with a 30 minute classroom session where the waterfront director told us what to expect for the balance of the week. Any self respecting geezer would have gotten up and gone back to sit by the campfire right then. Not me though :wink:
Next up was the 400 meter swim. We did 100 meters of the "approach crawl" head out of the water, eyes straight ahead on our " rescue victim". Then 100 meters of approach breaststroke. again head up, no going under, keep your eyes locked on the victim.
Then a "restful" 100 meters of sidestroke. At this point I'm panting like an old dog and thinking Whoo Boy, glad for a breather. As we start swimming the instructor says "Hey, You guys are lifeguards, if you're doing the sidestroke, then you're towing a person, so get one arm up out of the water!" YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!
Then finally 100 meters of backstroke to which the instructor says "enjoy it gentlement, that's the last time you'll do the backstroke this week."
Well the rest of the week went about the same. Go to class , get in the water, swim laps. get out, learn a technique, jump in and practice it SEVERAL times, get out, explain what we did wrong, practice some more.
Well after about 150 jumps into the water I managed to suck in some lake water. This week I'm on antibiotics for pneumonia. Lake water and lungs don't mix.
By the way, I passed all the skills and speed challenges, so now I'm a 45 year old lifeguard