Lifeguards are given tremendous responsibility at swimming pools throughout the country. In addition to maintaining and cleaning the pool, a lifeguard on duty must be ever vigilant to watch swimmers and divers so as to prevent drowning and other aquatic injuries. Public safety education and on site supervision by lifeguards have helped keep drowning rates low, and have significantly reduced the number of drownings in the US. Still, the cost of a single catastrophic injury or death while using an aquatic facility can be substantial. My own son has worked as a lifeguard and a facilities manager, and the work is not as glamorous as “Baywatch” would have us believe.

The United States Lifesaving Association (“USLA”), which has information, safety tips, statistics, spinal injuries, heroic acts, lifeguard information, and events on its web site recorded approximately 77,000 rescues for areas served by lifeguards in 1997. Virginia swimmers, aquatic injury and drowning lawyer Doug Landau stands next to a frog in a life guard chair after the BRATS Salute to the Military Triathlon held in the community of Vint Hill in Warrenton, Fauquier County, Virginia. This Bristow Triathlon and Swim event was a sprint triathlon around the Vint Hill complex. Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau was 3rd place male and he hopes to return next year to this wonderful Bristow venue in Warrenton, Virginia.