Research Summary: Electronic devices and their effect on lifeguard performance

RESEARCH DIGEST

This article surveys the academic literature for study findings pertaining to electronic devices and their effect on the standard of supervision provided by a lifeguard. 

• 24% of lifeguards, nearly 1 in 4, reported texting while on duty lifeguarding (Just, Keller and Cynkar, 2008). 
• 10.8% (91 lifeguards) reported texting at least once during their shift (Just et al., 2008).
• 5.6% (47 lifeguards) admitted talking on their mobile phones during their shift on the poolside (Griffiths and Griffiths, 2012). 
• 7.3% (61 lifeguards) reported texting several times during their shift on the poolside (Just et al., 2008). 
• 3.1% (26 lifeguards) reported texting once per week during their shift on the poolside (Just et al., 2008). 
• 2.7% of lifeguards reported texting once per month during their shift on the poolside (Griffiths and Griffiths, 2012).
• Brain activity is reduced by 37% when using a cell phone while driving (Just, Keller and Cynkar, 2008).

References

Griffiths, R. and Griffiths, T. 2012. Internal noise distractions in lifeguarding. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 6, pp.56-71.

Just, M., Keller, T. and Cynkar, J. 2008. A decrease in brain activation associated with driving when listening to someone speak. Brain Research, 1205, pp.70-80.

Citation: Jacklin, D. 2023. Electronic devices and their effect on lifeguard performance. Water Incident Research Hub, 1 October.