Research Summary: Electronic devices and their effect on lifeguard performance

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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.