Provide one guard for every ten participants. Lookout Station a lookout on the shore where it is possible to see and hear everything in all areas. The lookout may be the adult in charge of the swim and may give the buddy signals. Ability Groups Tests to determine swimming ability should be renewed each year at the beginning of the season. Buddy System Pair every youth with another in the same ability group.
Buddies check in and out of the swimming area together.
Check everyone in the water about every ten minutes. The adult counts slowly to ten while buddies join and raise hands and remain still and silent. Guards check all areas, count the pairs, and compare the total with the number known to be in the water. Signal two blasts or bells to resume swimming. Signal three blasts or bells for checkout.