June 26, 14 Wing’s Personnel Support Programs (PSP), in partnership with the Lifesaving Society of Nova Scotia (NSLS) hosted the annual Valley recreation departments’ summer staff training day.
Approximately 75 summer staff from Windsor to Digby, 53 of which are also certified lifeguards, gathered at Greenwood’s Community Centre and Fitness and Sports Centre indoor pool to improve their competencies and prepare for the summer season.
“We’re very thankful for, and we feel very lucky to be able to host here in Greenwood, all of our Valley aquatics guards,” said Community Recreation manager Jill Jackson, who coordinated the day’s training and is confident in what it will offer Greenwood’s own 16 summer aquatics staff, particularly with hands-on training, both in and out of the pool; all making them better qualified to handle potential incidents
“For our staff, it gets them prepped and ready, and it helps improve the quality of our programs and services.”
From mannequin relay races and scanning activities in the pool, to a blood “sticker” scavenger hunt practicing first aid circulation assessments on casualties in the Morfee gymnasium, the NSLS team planned a day filled with exciting activities, keeping the youth staff engaged and motivated to learn while they practiced their skills. Executive director of the NSLS Michael Melenchuk, who has been volunteering in lifeguard in-service training for over 20 years, was impressed with the level of enthusiasm he witnessed during the day’s training.
“The kids cheered for their teammates ‘til the very end,” says Melenchuk on the youth’s supportive attitude during the various training activities. A passionate believer in the Lifesaving Society’s mission, Melenchuk is happy to be able to reach out to the Valley’s lifeguard community and relay the organization’s water safety messages. “We really want lifeguards to be prepared for the things that they’ll encounter during the summer.”
While the NSLS staff’s primary role during the activities is education, Melenchuk is not opposed to getting his hands dirty; or, in this case, wet, alongside the rest of the participants during the training.
“I like getting in the pool; some instructors don’t get in. I still like getting in and showing young ones that even old guys can still keep up,” says Melenchuk.
The joint training day is a great way for local lifeguards and recreation staff to meet other summer employees, find mentors, share experiences and learn from each other – all while fine-tuning their skills. The training activities were conducted both through group discussions as well as games, providing staff with fun scenarios as refreshers on the proper way to deal with parents, children, emergencies and first aid.
