How many lifeguards do I need to provide?

GUIDANCE

What is a lifeguard? 

We have summarised what a lifeguard is in another of our articles which you can refresh your knowledge of here.  

How do I determine the number of lifeguards I need? 

Once you have established that you need to provide constant poolside supervision, your risk assessment will then determine the number of lifeguards you require to supervise unprogrammed or mixed sessions. 

You should start your risk assessment by calculating the starting point for the number of lifeguards that you may need. You may then need to make adjustments based on the particular circumstances of your pool. 

How do I calculate my starting point?

You can calculate your starting point in one of two ways: 

• Complete an LZVT to determine the minimum number of lifeguards needed to be able to see a pool user in any part of the pool, or; 
• Review the table in HSG179:2018 on page 20 using the length and width of your swimming pool to determine the minimum number of lifeguards you may need. 

What factors do I need to take into account when adjusting your starting point? 

The following would suggest more lifeguards may be needed, needed at certain times or during certain sessions: 

• Swimming areas (water depth > 1.35 metres) are present. 
• Deep water is present (water depth > 1.5 metres). 
• Frequent lifeguard intervention is likely to be needed to manage behaviour. 
• Numerous floating obstructions are likely to be present. 
• High pool occupancy is likely to be present. 
• Visibility is substantially affected by natural lighting levels and seasonal variation. 
• The presence of a lifeguard with relevant additional needs reduces their performance under present conditions. 
• A single lifeguard is unlikely to be able to summon emergency assistance before performing a rescue. 
• The absence of an automated detection and monitoring system to support lifeguards. 

The following would suggest that fewer lifeguards may be needed, needed at certain times or during certain sessions, provided that the lifeguard(s) still have visibility of a pool user in any part of the pool: 

• Low pool user numbers are expected.
• The pool adopts an adults-only policy. 
• The pool adopts a no-lone swimming policy. 
• The pool has in place an automated detection and monitoring system to alert lifeguards to potential danger. 
• The pool is primarily reliant on artificial lighting. 
• The admissions policy requires all under 16s to be supervised by an appropriate adult over 16 years old. 
• The absence of high-excitement activities. 
• Remote supervision via CCTV is being used to support the lifeguard(s) on the poolside. 

How do I know if I have reached an appropriate number of lifeguards? 

The following factors should provide greater assurance that you have determined an appropriate number of lifeguards for your pool: 

• Absence of audit/inspection findings or areas for improvement. 
• Absence of accident, incident, near-miss records related to ineffective supervision. 
• Proportionately low numbers of pool user-detected incidents when compared to lifeguard-detected incidents. 
• Similar operating arrangements are used by other operators. 

References

HSG179:2018. Health and safety in swimming pools. HSE, edition 4. 

Citation: Jacklin, D. 2021. How many lifeguards do I need to provide? Water Incident Research Hub, 28 December.