When we think of lifeguards, we generally picture highly trained specialists in a red swimsuit and shorts, scanning the water for someone in distress. What most people don’t know is that dogs have also become an integral part of the water safety team. From the beaches of Italy to USA shorelines, man and man’s best friend have joined forces in this noble endeavor of saving lives.
This unusual, unique partnership between humans and dogs is changing our approach towards water safety, and organizations such as the American Lifeguard Association are taking this message further.
The following is an insight into an inspiring partnership that is gaining attention in lifeguarding, whether you are a lifeguard instructor, a dog lover, or just someone interested in water safety. Dogs as lifeguards, how they are trained, and the American Lifeguard Association’s role therein will be explained in this blog.
History of Canine Lifeguards
Dogs are one of the animals worldwide that are long recognized for their loyalty, intelligence, and ability to perform tasks that are beneficial for the community. Whether in search and rescue or therapy dogs, the canines justifiably earned space in human biology as partners and not pets. Their recent role has been expanded to include lifeguarding, especially in the case of larger bodies of water or crowded beaches.
In Italy, the Italian School of Water Rescue Dogs (Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio) has been working with dogs for more than 30 years to prepare them for the extraordinary responsibility of canine lifeguards. Generally speaking, breeds such as Newfoundland, Labrador, and Golden Retriever can be seen leaping from helicopters, swimming towards a victim in distress, and pulling the victims to safety while delivering accessories such as life jackets. Their inbuilt ability to swim well and their calmness in an emergency gives them great suitability for the job.
This initiates an upturn in the U.S., where organizations such as the American Lifeguard Association propagate the cause. Though human lifeguards essentially are the ones preserving lives in emergencies, dogs are presently appreciated as great assets to these water rescue efforts.
Why Dogs Are Good Lifeguards
Here are some attributes of dogs that make them suitable lifeguards:
- They Are Natural Swimmers: Most dog breeds are excellent swimmers with webbed feet and water-repellent coats. Â
- Strength and Stamina: Dogs can rescue and pull many people simultaneously to the shore from the water, even in turbulent conditions. Â
- Sense of Smell: A dog can use keen senses to pick up on what the humans may miss. Â
- Their Temperament: Trained rescue dogs will not lose their composure in stressful situations, which makes them great partners in emergencies. Â
- Human Relationships: Dogs will readily protect and help their human partners, motivating them to respond.
Role of the American Lifeguard Association
The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is one of the most respectable associations devoted to water safety and providing sophisticated lifeguard training. Though they primarily emphasize training human lifeguards, they do recognize the potential of canine ones and support programs that employ dogs for water rescue operations.
In terms of lifeguard training for instructors, ALA offers the full spectrum of training programs that range from basic water rescue techniques to advanced emergency response techniques. The programs emphasize the importance of being a team player, good communication, and being flexible, all of which are also crucial in terms of working with canine partners.
The ALA has continued to innovate and exemplify excellence in the lifeguarding community. With its progressive cooperation of approaches, including innovation with canine lifeguards, the ALA is severely impacting water safety.
Training Dogs for Lifeguarding
Training a dog to become a lifeguard is no simple job. It requires patience, determination, and knowledge of dog behaviour. This will give an overview of the whole process.
- Selecting the Right Dog: Not all dogs are good candidates for lifeguarding. Typically chosen are breeds that possess strong swimming abilities, calm temperaments, and intelligence. Newfoundlands, so-called “gentle giants,” are among the best suited for the work. Â
- Basic Obedience Training: Before specialized rescue skills can be taught, a dog must have mastered basic commands: sit, stay, and come. This foundation is critical for guaranteeing the dog’s safety and effectiveness in the water. Â
- Water Familiarization: Dogs become acquainted with water on a gradual basis, beginning in shallow waters and progressing toward deeper waters. They learn to swim confidently and in various currents. Â
- Techniques of Rescue: Training will include specific rescue-type tasks such as dragging a person onto shore, bringing flotation devices back, and jumping from boats or helicopters. Â
- Working as a Team with the Human Lifeguard: Canine lifeguards do not work alone; they are part of a team. During the training, you have some exercises that simulate real-life scenarios in which dogs and human lifeguards work together to save lives.  Â
- Certification: Just like human lifeguards, canine lifeguards must take thorough tests before they are certified. This provides certification that these animals are fully fit and prepared to go out and meet the rigours of any situation they might encounter.
Final Word
The whole dog lifeguard stuff sounds so unconventional, but they help in water safety. With all the special skills and training acquired, they prove their potential in bringing dogs on the way to saving drowning.
The American Lifeguard Association and other similar organizations assist in this innovative aspect of lifeguarding. Providing high-quality training for lifeguard instructors in addition to promoting the usage of dog lifeguards will surely help in making a safer environment for swimmers by the ALA.
For both people like the lifeguard instructor in this case who wants to explore more options or the fondest dog lover driven by excitement about the great animal, the power of this unique partnership is without question. Together, they are contributing to making water safety issues a lot simpler-their partnership by rescuing lives.
For additional information about lifeguard training or the role canines play as lifeguards, visit now the American Lifeguard Association. Training programs are now affiliated with all the resources lifeguard instructors have to learn to save lives both on land and underwater.
