A lifeguard shortage in the country is also impacting the county. An official with the Warsaw Parks Department said she did not have a problem obtaining lifeguards this year, like some communities in the county.
Pictured from left are Morgan Howett, Sarah Barker, Stone Shipley and Melaina Fugate, all are lifeguards at Center Lake in Warsaw this summer. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A lifeguard shortage is sparking safety concerns at beaches, lakes and swimming pools across the United States as summer is in full swing.

A nationwide lack of lifeguards began in 2021 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and is now stretching into its third summer.

There are three main reasons. The first is that during the early stages of the pandemic, lifeguard certification classes were canceled. Because of the pandemic, many lifeguard training sessions and certification courses (parts of which must be held in person) were put on hold, too.

Second, some lifeguards are in athletics and use the summer to participate in sports, said Steve Marquart, Milford’s park superintendent. He said he had a hard time finding lifeguards so there’s only two this year at Waubee Lake beach.

“That’s one of the problems I have,” he said. “There’s been a couple of years I only had one (lifeguard). I’d be nice to have four.”

Third, some lifeguards left for other higher paying jobs.

A national lifeguard shortage also affects pools across the country as they either close or operate with reduced hours.

Municipalities are doing everything they can to attract more lifeguards. Indianapolis, for instance, is paying $15 an hour — the same rate as last year — and adding signing bonuses up to $500 to attract lifeguards. The incentives are working. Indianapolis has 170 lifeguards on staff, up from 81 a year ago.

Lifeguard Certification

Lifeguards in Indiana must pass prerequisite criteria. To become a lifeguard in Indiana, one must be a minimum of 15 years old. They must also be able to swim 300 yards continuously using the breast or front crawl, and tread water for two minutes using only the legs.

Also, a lifeguards must complete a timed event within one minute, 40 seconds, starting in the water, and swim 20 yards.

They must also surface dive to a depth of seven to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Courses include American Aquatics and Safety Training, a two-year lifeguarding certification. The 26.5-hour lifeguard class is in person. They must also obtain a lifeguard certification from an Indiana Department of Health approved certification provider. All lifeguard classes include CPR, AED and first aid.

Public Beaches

Here in Kosciusko County, park department officials say the shortage has been a minor problem.

At Center Lake Beach and Pike Lake Beach, both in Warsaw, lifeguards are not on duty if the temperature is below 70 degrees. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Saturday.

Stephanie Schaefer, Warsaw parks’ recreation director, said, “We didn’t notice a shortage in applicants at all. I still have been getting a few calls asking if we are hiring this summer. We have a wonderful staff guarding our lakes this summer and half of the guards have been with us for the last three years.”

She hired 11 full-time lifeguards this summer and, she said, “on average that’s the normal number.”

Winona Lake Beach has six lifeguards this summer. Holly Hummitch, park director, said she was short at the last minute until a couple of teens got their licenses.

Lakeside Park in Syracuse does not have lifeguards this summer. Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, said in past years, he ran a crew of seven with three lifeguards on duty each day.

“I am not sure why, but we have been struggling to get applicants for the past couple of years. Our beaches are signed swim at your own risk. We did not have lifeguards in 2021 or 2022 either,” said Jonsson.

While there is a small sandy beach at North Webster Town Park, it does not have lifeguards.

For more information, visit lifeguardandsafetytraining.com/lifeguardtraining/Indiana.

Pictured are Addison Whitaker, Kara Kitson and Jocelyn Whitaker, lifeguards at Winona Lake’s beach. The Whitakers are sisters and they all said they have become “good friends” this summer. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.