Mz T's Musings

Safety Job 1 for OU Lifeguards

Sun lovers looking for a summer job in a stress free environment could do worse than consider the role of a lifeguard.

The University of Oklahoma's Aquatic Complex employs nearly 50 lifeguards during the summer as well as 20 during the school year.

Science Education major Jessi Stecker of Mustang said becoming a lifeguard was not a long-time plan of hers.

"My friends suggested it to me because they knew I enjoyed swimming and sunshine," she said. "I never wanted to be a cranky old lifeguard."

The Murray Case Sells Aquatic Center offers Red cross lifeguard certification. The program requires 31 to 37 hours of course work and is open to anyone15 years or older.

"The test for certification nearly killed me," Stecker said. "A person has to swim 500 yards or 20 laps of the pool with proper technique."

Red Cross certification qualifies a person to work at pools, water parks and waterfront locations anywhere in the United States.

At the OU pool, the life guard's principle aim is safety, Stecker said.

"We want to keep people safe," she said. "We want to keep kids from getting in trouble. We want everyone engaging in safe behavior."

In addition to watching what is going on within the pools, life guards must be aware of what is going on around the pools, Stecker said.

"We have to watch for faulty equipment, chemicals that might be out as well as respond to emergencies," she said. "Sometimes I may be called upon to act as an unofficial physical therapist."

Lifeguards also teach a variety of classes offered at the pool, including basic swimming lessons and water aerobics.

While OU does not have a swim team itself, the pool hosts the local swim teams from Norman High School and Norman North High School.

"Swim meets are held at our facility," she said. "During meets we have students from all over the state as our guests."

Stecker said the pool employees are looking forward to the new aquatic center to be built near the existing Houston Huffman Student Recreational Facility.

"Because of the economy, the project is on hold for a bit," she said. "But most OU students don't even know we have a pool. They often ask, 'We have a pool?'"

Mz T's Musings

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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