OVIEDO, Fla. – The pool might have been a little chilly this weekend at the Oviedo Aquatic Facility, but that didn’t stop a group of teens from getting lifeguard certifications.
Keltan Fitzgerald was one of the participants in this weekend’s lifeguard certification program.
“I wanted to learn how to save lives, I just wanted to work here and get a job for the summer,” Fitzgerald said.
The City of Oviedo’s Recreation and Parks department held a three-day lifeguard certification program over the weekend. This comes as we prepare to head into the summer months where more people will head to the pool for a cooldown.
“I’ve learned a lot of first-aid and stuff and how to perform saves in the water under any circumstances, whether they’re drowning or just distressed,” Fitzgerald said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Chris Haupt, aquatics coordinator for the city of Oviedo, said while the goal is for their participants to become lifeguard-certified, they ultimately want them to be safe around water.
“We offer this two or three times over the summer, it’s just a good way to make sure everyone is on top of their game,” Haupt said. “We go over drills and scenarios over and over and teach them the correct way to help keep people safe.”
In addition to water rescue skills, they’re also learning other valuable lessons like how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED.
“They get trained first-aid, CPR, the use of AEDs, basic lifeguarding skills,” Haupt said. “We go through everything. Three long days of training, and when they’re done, they’re certified.”
To learn more about the city’s lifeguard certification program with StarGuard Elite and to find out when the next course will take place, click here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: