Hello Dear Readers!
For this blog post, I’m going to talk about our Lifeguard training. Now let’s get something straight real fast: I am not a swimmer. Yes, I can swim, but I’m the “doggy paddle” kind of swimmer. I hate swimsuits, chlorine, and drippy, wet hair. So, naturally, I would hate swimming. It would be expected that this hatred of the water to transfer to my lifeguard training, and it was a definitely a big obstacle for me to overcome.
Now, for all of you current or potential campers of HVCC, you might be skeptical of swimming if I were your lifeguard. And based off of what I’ve just told you, I wouldn’t blame you. But I’m here to say that my feelings toward the water have changed significantly. Lifeguard training has not only given me improved physical strength and new skills, but also a drastic increase in confidence. With lifeguard training, we each were certified in CPR and First Aid, and below are some pictures from our training sessions:
Along with these new-found skills, I’ve also seen a significant change in my endurance in the water. When I arrived at HVCC, I could barely complete 8 laps. But just this past week, Clayton, Courtney and I completed 35 laps along with an 11-minute tread! It has been quite exciting seeing my skills improve.
Last Saturday, HVCC partnered with the Branciforte Fire Department to practice an emergency drill. Poor Rony agreed to be our “victim,” and as Karli and Courtney rescued him from the water, the rest of the staff jumped into action.
The Fire Department arrived in only 3 minutes! It is great to know that HVCC is in safe hands with the fire station so close to the grounds. It was extremely helpful for the staff and interns to know what would happen during an emergency and what assistance we would be giving the Fire Department.
As a kid, I was the one who liked to stretch (not break!) the rules. For instance, if the rule said “No Running,” I would skip. Now that I’m a lifeguard, I have a deeper appreciation for the pool rules, and I regret all the times I disregarded them when I was a camper. Last week was the intern’s first camp, and it was the first time many of us were able to put our lifeguarding certifications to use. Let me tell you, being a lifeguard is no joke. Being in the lifeguard’s chair, I felt the responsibility to take care of each swimmer. What once was an exciting pool of fun when I was camper became a child death-trap in the eyes of a lifeguard. But as the week went on, I became more comfortable in my role and confident in my abilities.
I am extremely thankful for the lifeguard training I received, and I am sure these skills will continue to be helpful after I leave Happy Valley. If any of you are considering being Lifeguard/CPR/First Aid certified, I encourage you to go for it! You might end up saving a life one day.
Sea you later,
Angie
