Boulder Reservoir Staff Train Before, During Season to Keep Everyone Safe

The Boulder Reservoir offers one of the largest lifeguard-attended seasonal beaches in Colorado. What does it take to be a Reservoir lifeguard? Water Safety Services Coordinator Jamie Pocock offers a glimpse into the lifeguard training that keeps Reservoir visitors safe as they swim and splash around.

“Before the swim season at the Reservoir starts, we practice rescue board and waterfront skills at Spruce Pool before they get in the Reservoir where you can't see under the water,” said Pocock. “Then, at the Reservoir, we practice helping active and passive victims onto a rescue board, organizing shallow and deep-water searches, and fitness swimming.”

Once the swim season starts, training happens every Wednesday to hone existing skills and learn new ones.

“During the season, we cover team building, conditioning, lifeguard skills, emergency action plan, and any facility items that we want our awesome team of lifeguards to know,” said Pocock.

The training also covers:

• Whistle use
• Radio protocol and codes and for emergency responses
• Vessel and jet ski operations
• Preparation for triathlons and special event rescues
• Customer service scenarios
• Conflict resolution, and
• Debrief any major rescues/responses that happened during the previous week

It’s not easy being a lifeguard at the Reservoir compared to a city pool since they can’t see to the bottom. However, city Reservoir lifeguards are the best at what they do…keeping swimmers or all ages and abilities safe.

Learn more about the Boulder Reservoir.

The swim area is open for the season through Monday, Sept. 6. If you do come visit, be sure to say thank you to one of these amazing lifeguards!