Should our very ADD son be a lifeguard?

[missypie]

DS15 has Asperger's Syndrome and is very ADD. He takes Concerta, which helps a lot, but he is still very easily distracted. He has always been a good swimmer; over the summer he was a swim instructor aide at our local pool. The life guards get paid quite a bit more and get more hours in. DS is set to take lifeguard training over two weekends next month.

I've always been worried about the idea of him being a lifeguard. I mean, it almost sounds like a Saturday Night Live skit - "The ADD Lifeguard." Folks are drowning all around the ADD Lifeguard, and he's focussed on a thread hanging off the umbrella.

I know he'll be able to pass all the requirements for training, and I know he'll be able to do the actual lifesaving skills. But I doubt that in lifeguard training, they have you sit in a chair for half an hour to watch you watch people. Or do they?

I'm wondering if this is a seriously bad idea, or if I'm worrying for nothing.

 

[Schmeck]

I'd talk to the people responsible for life guard training - maybe they could simulate a typical situation (have your son sit in a guard chair at the pool for an extended time, stage a drowning, etc?) and see how he reacts?

 

[vhoffman]

That's a tough one..but I'd bet the pool wouldn't even hire him for that job if it was disclosed he has ADHD. Think of the liability issues! I'd be very upset to find my children were being guarded by someone who had difficulty paying attention. My son, age 9, has adhd, and I certainly wouldn't trust him as a lifeguard assuming he was older, of course!). He's very intelligent, physically strong, a good swimmer, and quite resourceful, but he is unpredictable in his ability to stay a task and pay attention. I just wouldn't risk it, for the sake of all involved.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree that being a lifeguard doesn't sound like a job that is well suited for someone with difficulty with attention. I knew a couple of people who were lifeguards suring the end of high school and college. Both of them said the hardest part of the job was keeping themselves attentive in a situation that is boring, noisy and has a lot of things going on (boring things, but things that attract attention - like little kids splashing/making lots of noise).

 

[LindaDVC]

I know it would not have been a good job for my Adhd son-- you know your son best and whether it would be appropriate for him.

At our local water park they do drills regularly.
I've seen them toss a tennis ball into the pool and time the response of the lifeguards to get it-- and other such tests. I remember one ball landed near the step where no children were and the boss was pretty upset at the response time............

Linda

 

[mamacatnv]

My son is a lifeguard at the local water park and they are constantly "audited". The supervisor's video them when they don't know it, they have a dummy fondly named "Timmy" that is periodically placed into the water and the response time is noted, they have 30 seconds to get to Timmy and retrieve him etc. There are all kinds of drills that go on in the course of their day. They are specifically trained on the powers of observation and how to stay alert.

My sons' training is done by "Ellis" they are big in the waterpark industry. I don't know as much about Red Cross training but I would assume that some of the procedures are the same.

Around here at the local pools or the water park, the lifeguards are never on stand alone, they always have back up and they are rotated regularly to keep them sharp.

I say let your son go for it, if he isn't cut out for the job it won't take long for either he or his supervisors to figure it out.

Good Luck

 

[LindsayDunn228]

DS15 has Asperger's Syndrome and is very ADD. He takes Concerta, which helps a lot, but he is still very easily distracted.

I think that answers your question right there.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My ds is a lifeguard and his training was more than just 2 week ends to get certified, it was about 2 months of sundays all day I think. He said it was really hard and he is a good swimmer too. He lifeguards at a condo pool place and also at a gym pool where they also give childrens lessons. I have posted that he has already saved 2 little children because the swimming instructors were not paying attention and he could NOT be distracted. He immediately had to dive into the water to rescue the little girls. Saving someone happens in a split second. He said , mom I could not think, I just had to dive in and get her. His condo job is alot less stressful because people mostly sun themselves instead of swim, sometimes no one even shows up. He gets to read and watch his dvd player if no one is there. He also interviewed for another job where the man said he could sit there and do his homework. This was an adult community. I told him only if no one was in the pool etc. You are the best judge of your ds and his abilities, best of luck.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

If you have to ask a bunch of strangers if it is a bad idea, then it probably is a VERY bad idea....

 

[Missy Mouse]

DS15 has Asperger's Syndrome and is very ADD. He takes Concerta, which helps a lot, but he is still very easily distracted. He has always been a good swimmer; over the summer he was a swim instructor aide at our local pool. The life guards get paid quite a bit more and get more hours in. DS is set to take lifeguard training over two weekends next month.

I've always been worried about the idea of him being a lifeguard. I mean, it almost sounds like a Saturday Night Live skit - "The ADD Lifeguard." Folks are drowning all around the ADD Lifeguard, and he's focussed on a thread hanging off the umbrella.

I know he'll be able to pass all the requirements for training, and I know he'll be able to do the actual lifesaving skills. But I doubt that in lifeguard training, they have you sit in a chair for half an hour to watch you watch people. Or do they?

I'm wondering if this is a seriously bad idea, or if I'm worrying for nothing.

Nope, I don't think this is a good idea. You can't get blood from a stone, just like you can't force an ADD person, especially one with Aspbergers, to buckle down and focus on looking for people in water. I think 15 is too young to be a lifeguard anyway. His body needs to follow the flow of his mind. ADD adolescents have a lot of potential in certain areas. I would get him involved in something where his body can keep up with his mind, like a sport.

 

[oshun]

My daughter is a lifeguard and there can be many distractions happening at a pool, ocean, or water park. She is not ADHD but her twin brother is. She does not feel that he would be able to handle the same job. If someone is easily distracted they should not try to be a lifeguard. My daughter said that a lot of people that take their child to the pool then leave it up to the lifeguards to watch them. This is a lot to do when you have around 40 to 50 people in a pool area on a busy holiday weekend.

There are plenty of other jobs with less responsibility or chance for distractions. Best wishes to him but I think he should re-think lifeguarding.

 

[playwright]

Missy,

My vote is to let your son go for it if this is something he wants. He will never know if he is successful at it or not unless he tries. He is a good swimmer. I'm sure he is a hard worker and has good people skills. He has had success as an instructor. Wish him good luck and please let us know how he makes out.

Mar (playwright)

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Playwright,

What if your child was in that pool. Would you be comfortable having a lifegaurd who gets distracted easy? I have no children but I have to say I would not be happy with that.

My vote is still no.

 

[mamacatnv]

Playwright,

What if your child was in that pool. Would you be comfortable having a lifegaurd who gets distracted easy? I have no children but I have to say I would not be happy with that.

My vote is still no.

Butting in, Certified Lifeguards are trained, if he can pass the training and the subsequent testing then why should he not have the job like anyone else?

Parents should never leave their kids unattended regardless of who is on duty.

I agree with Playwright - As my earlier post said also, let him go for it.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I agree parents should not leave their child unattended. But you have an "easily distracted lifeguard" and something goes horribly wrong, you know who they are going to blame.

 

[mamacatnv]

I agree parents should not leave their child unattended. But you have an "easily distracted lifeguard" and something goes horribly wrong, you know who they are going to blame.

True. They would blame the life guard no matter what. However, at least in the state of NV a minor who is a Certified Lifeguard is protected by the employer and ultimately the employers neck is on the line if they employ a Certified Guard who is not capable of doing the job. (that is the legal side)

The emotional toll is something else all together, but it could happen to the best of the best. My DS had a kid & parent get injured on a ride he sent them down, after conforming to all the rules, shifting their seating positions etc so that they were in compliance, they still flipped out of their tube and were hurt on the slide. He felt horrible, but it was not his fault, there was nothing more he could do. They were okay but he was a wreck over it.

 

[taximomfor4]

what a tough situation!

Based on AS tendencies, I would not consider this an ideal path for your ds. Throw in the ADHD, and I don't really like the mix. I just don't think this is the wisest place to put your ds's attention to the test. Not where others' lives are depending on him.

Also, if his ability deficit led to a child drowning, how would he overcome that? Scary thought. Yes, accidents do happen but...

Just my thoughts. You ultimately know your son best. Just keep in mind that not everyone is suited to every job. I know I always wanted to be a pilot, but it's not a good fit for me.

Take care!
Beth

 

[heatherfeather24]

I was a lifeguard for 6 years and, truthfully, it was one of the hardest jobs I've ever had because of the need to pay very close attention in an otherwise very boring situation.

Yes, your son may be qualified to pass the training -- but the training is only the physical side of the job. If you have any reservations about his abilities to perform the mental side of the job, then I think it's a terrible idea.

 

[Hannathy]

I think it is a terrible idea, we are talking about if he messes up someone could die! not get the wrong size of fries.

If you insist on going through with this then I hope you are at least honest to the testers and on any applications that he would fill out and tell them that he has ADD and is on medication. If they decide to hire him knowing this ok but they should know before they put the trust of the public in his hands. Would you want someone with uncontrolled epilepsy driving your child's school bus?
This thread bothers me a lot.

 

[playwright]

Missy,
Just wondered how things are going for your ds re: being a lifeguard and everything else. Sorry I haven't been to the disboards for a while...