How Do You Manage Lifeguard Pool Rotations?
QUESTION:
“How do you manage lifeguard pool rotations and how to communicate that with staff?”
Answer 1:
Shift Managers assign the starting positions in rotation. Staff rotates counterclockwise with the break being at the end of the rotation. Staff that are "extra" are assigned cleaning jobs from the Shift Manager or Head Lifeguard. The Shift Manager and Head Lifeguard are responsible for adding additional spots to rotation as they feel needed. They are responsible for making sure rotation is aware of any changes.
We have a weekly cleaning list that disperses cleaning jobs throughout the week. We keep the completed weekly lists as documentation. When a new set of lifeguards arrive for their shifts we have them replace the guards that are scheduled to go home.
Answer 2:
I have seen it done several ways. At Disney, the rotation was made the day before. We allowed people to trade their rotations the morning of. Another method is to allow them to pick their rotation based on their arrival time that morning.
We have our closing duties on each stand so that every guard is aware of their assigned closing duties based on what stand they end on. This has made just about everyone show up on time to claim their rotation spot. Daily, weekly, and event cleaning lists are posted so all can see.
Answer 3:
This is our rotation. Each stand has a walkie talkie and head guards assign numbers to each guard so they know where they are in the rotation. Each guard also does first aid and maintenance. For reference, we have 5 pools in one complex so we have 20-25 guards on during our busy hours.
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