subject: What To Look For When Selecting Your Lifeguard Chair [print this page] Are all lifeguard chairs the same? I think not. You want a chair that will last long. That will be comfortable to the lifeguard to make for an alert lifeguard. You want a chair that is also cost effective, not going to rip your wallet.
Lets look at some basic knowledge when selecting a good quality lifeguard chair, and one that suites your facility. These are some helpful hints when picking a lifeguard chair:
(1)Less crowed swimming area, pick a smaller chair. From the ground to the seat, about 30 to 40 inches
(2)Busy swimming area, pick a taller chair. From the ground to the seat, about 60 to 70 inches
(3)Comfortable lifeguard chair. So the lifeguard stays awake and alert while on duty
(4)You need a chair that lasts. That will last the elements and the weather, and the chlorine or ocean waters.
(5)Lifeguard chair should come with an umbrella holder.
(6)Chairs should come with a hook so the ring buoy or accessories can be place there and already within reach and ready to be used.
(7)When the lifeguard stands on his or chair, the step should be a no slip step.
Now lets look more into the size of the chair. When is a small lifeguard chair needed? A smaller lifeguard chair is needed if the pool area is small. And the lifeguard does not need to look over anyone while watching the water. Usually small chairs go in apartment complex swimming pools of 10 or less people. Meaning 10 or less people are swimming at one time. A smaller lifeguard chair is 30 inches from the ground to the seat of the chair.
When is a bigger lifeguard chair needed? For a bigger swimming pool or beach front properties, you want the tall towers. Over 60 inches off the ground is fine. That is 60 inches from the ground to the seat of the lifeguard chair. Reason for the tall chair is so when the lifeguards are sitting in one, the lifeguard can view over the people walking by and see the patrons in the water. This allows the lifeguard to easily scan the water for any one that may need assistance.
Another benefit for a tall chair in a busy place is the lifeguard can view deeper into the water being higher up. Just in case anyone under the water may need assistance. This is really important too. Because I was a lifeguard for 7 years and one time I saw someone at the bottom of the pool that needed help. I then rushed in and saved that person.
One last reason that tall lifeguard towers is important, is because if anyone needs to find the lifeguard in an emergency, all the person has to do is look up. And see the chair. And the person sitting in it. Now, stander bys can quickly know who to go to, and they can quickly inform the lifeguard of the emergency. And the last reason a tall lifeguard chair is beneficial in a busy place is because it establishes authority. It enforces the concept of the lifeguard being in charge of the entire pool. Even the deck. So as soon as the patrons walk through the gate in the pool area, that is the lifeguards domain. He or she has authority on the beach side. And everyone knows it with the tall lifeguard chair.
