Alanis Gonzalez
Senior Alanis Gonzalez saved a 5-year-old while lifeguarding this past summer.
According to ChatGPT, some facts and statistics about lifeguards are not only trained in the water but they are also trained in first aid and CPR. In ancient Greece, strong swimmers were known as “skyloi” and giving the responsibility of rescuing shipwrecked sailors and others in the sea. In the World Health Organization (WHO) drowning is a serious health concern, over 236,000 deaths worldwide annually. Lifeguard can be seen as a competitive sport. These include swim races, paddleboard races and simulated rescues. In the U.S, children that are under 14 yrs. old are more likely to have higher rates of drowning, while people over 85 have a higher risk of lower mobility and higher susceptibility to accidents. In a random survey, 10 of the Morton east students voted that none of them have been a lifeguard. Alanis’s first thought of lifeguarding was during her trip to Wisconsin, in a waterpark that held an activity to pretend to be a lifeguard and save dummies.
“It was fun! I beat 5 yr. olds,” Alanis Gonzales said.
Alanis had wanted to be a lifeguard because she had almost drowned while lifeguards were not paying attention; she wanted to be the lifeguard she needed.
“We learn how to do different types of savings in the water, I enjoyed how to do CPR. Some of the skills I learned during were Deep end saves, CPR, and how to give CPR for babies. I enjoyed being able to know I can save someone’s life!” Monserrat Servin said.
