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WISHLIST
A recent statistic should make anyone in the guarding industry think again about their skin: 94.8% of lifeguards reported getting sunburned at least once during a single season. The youngest guards on staff were the ones most likely to see the worst burns.
That stat may not seem that surprising when you consider the job itself. A lifeguard’s shift is typically during peak UV hours, pretty much daily. And while you may think that a single bad burn a season isn’t that bad, it only takes one burn to set someone up for skin cancer later in life.
That’s why taking every precaution possible to protect lifeguards is important – and why it has to go beyond sunscreen protocols alone. Real sun protection for lifeguards has to work as an intentional layered system. Clothing and gear, stand shade, eye protection, and a culture that focuses on skin and heat protection all have a role.
Here’s how you can build that system, layer by layer, and how to address some of the questions and concerns your lifeguard team is sure to ask.
When it comes to skin protection, sunscreen should act as a base layer rather than the entire safety system. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50 or higher for anyone spending extended time outdoors, which includes everyone taking a shift on a lifeguard stand!
But the catch is timing. Guards should reapply sunscreen every two hours, and again after any trip into the water or a heavy sweat. Remember that “water resistant” on the label usually only guarantees 40 to 80 minutes of protection.
Our lifeguard sunscreen is designed for easy access on the job, so reapplication is part of the routine, rather than a distraction from the job.
Remember, sunscreen is just the base layer of protection. Clothing picks up where the sunscreen’s protection ends. UPF 50 fabric is known to block around 98% of UV radiation – and it won’t rinse off in the pool or fade during a long lifeguarding shift.
A long-sleeve rash guard or guard shirt can cover both the arms and torso, two of the places many guards forget to reapply sunscreen consistently.
Pair that with a wide-brim hat (brim should extend three to four inches out around the hat) or a legionnaire-style flap that covers the neck. If a wide-brim hat may block a guard’s sightlines, a neck gaiter under a cap can also work.
The ears and nape of the neck are two spots that reapplication can miss – so a flap-style hat can cover those spots adequately. KEMP hats and visors, as well as our collection of guard apparel, are designed to provide the comfortable, lightweight protection guards need daily.
Did you know that your lips can get sunburned just like any other part of your body? It’s true – and many guards forget to make sure their lip balm has UV protection as well as moisturizing benefits (and come to regret it!)
A good SPF lip balm is recommended for every guard and should be included as part of their gear. Keep it close and easy to apply, and they’ll stay protected from most of the sun’s most dangerous rays throughout their entire season.
While sunscreen and clothing can help guards stay protected throughout the day, a great lifeguard stand shade adds extra protection for those long bouts between action.
Purpose-built shade fabric can block up to 96-98% of harmful UV radiation, and umbrella or canopy shades are often billed as one of the best options for stands. Try to position the stand umbrella so that they track the sun’s path throughout a specific shift rather than a particular uniform angle.
UV doesn’t only arrive from overhead. The light reflecting up off the water and sand below and around a lifeguard can also send rays their way (~10% reflection from water, ~15% reflection from sand). It also scatters through cloud cover or haze, so protection matters even when the sun’s not shining as bright.
The angle of the sun in the early morning and late afternoon may reduce direct overhead sunlight (and temperatures), but that lower angle can also increase the reflection off the water! It’s well worth taking a look at your facility’s full shade design setup to make sure all aspects of potential UV exposure are taken into account.
Again, shade is layer three in the full system of guard sun protection – so it should always go with sunscreen and proper equipment, not as its own protective element.
A guard’s eyes are one of their most important tools in protecting swimmers and saving lives during an emergency. The ability to scan beaches or pool facilities quickly and clearly can shave seconds off a response time and potentially save a life.
That means eyes should be just as well protected as any other part of a guard’s body. UV protection in sunglasses can block ultraviolet light from reaching the eye and the thin skin directly around the eyes.
In general, opt for sunglasses labeled UV400 or “100%UVA/UVB protection” – as these meet the U.S. voluntary standards set by ANSI Z80.3.
Polarization is a different feature, though. This is designed to cut the glare that bounces off the surface of the water, allowing a guard to see past the “shimmer” and see if a swimmer is in trouble directly below the waterline. Gray or brown-tinted lenses tend to hold up best for reducing eye strain, and won’t distort color the way that some other tints can.
In sunglasses, they aren’t – which is why it’s important to know the difference, and how each goes together to turn sunglasses from an “eye shade” to a piece of key lifeguarding equipment.
There’s no “either/or”. Guards need sunglasses that feature both to protect themselves and others.
Wraparound or large-coverage frames are a great option, as they can prevent UV from sneaking in around the sides and cut down on wind and sand irritation. Make sure they have a retention strap as well, to keep them on-body whether the guard needs them on or off.
The reality is that sun protection and gear are only useful in so much as they are used. A Florida lifeguard study found that 60% of guards surveyed believed a “base tan” could offer adequate protection from sun damage. And that kind of myth can spread through a guard team faster than most good habits!
Culture decides what methods and techniques win out in the long run. Create a culture around safety – both inside the stand and out – and you’ll find that guards are more likely to take advantage of all the protection that they are provided.
Leave the culture-making up to the team, and you’ll find that most will hit the lowest bar to get by. The last thing you want on your conscience is a lifeguard who ends up with severe burns or skin cancer when they had the protection they needed near them the entire time!
Instruct senior staff to set the norm: When leaders on the team are seen consistently reapplying sunscreen and using the recommended sun-protective clothing, others will be more likely to do the same.
Set a written standard and keep it consistent: OSHA doesn’t set a specific sun standard for lifeguards, only general PPE rules that address sun exposure indirectly. So take the time to set up a policy that everyone can see and understand, and make sure to cover it each season so that new guards know what’s expected of them. Again, have your leaders lead the way, and build skin safety into your routine station equipment checklist.
Encourage skin checks: Make sure your guards know the risk of sun exposure, and help them learn how to conduct a self-check of their skin monthly for any trouble spots. Encourage the team to schedule yearly dermatology visits to get a professional eye on their skin after each season.
Invest in high-quality lifeguarding equipment: While you may not be able to force guards to use sun protection, you can provide the protective options they need. Invest in high-quality sunscreen, sunglasses, shade, and protective clothing so that every guard is prepared before and during each shift. Keep an eye on supplies, and always reorder when expendable supplies begin to dwindle.
A lifeguard’s shift doesn’t stop for the sun, so your protection can’t stop either. Build out the full stack of skin protection for your guard team and make sure they are aware of all the ways they can keep their skin healthy throughout their shifts.
KEMP USA carries many of the high-quality lifeguarding tools and equipment that guards need to do their jobs well every day. Shop online and keep your guard stand fully stocked this season – and beyond.
Shop Lifeguard Gear at KEMP USA
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