Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service: Difference between revisions
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The [http://www.nsls.ns.ca Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service], or '''NSLS''', has been guarding [[Nova Scotia]]'s beaches since [[1973]]. The |
The [http://www.nsls.ns.ca Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service], or '''NSLS''', has been guarding [[Nova Scotia]]'s beaches since [[1973]]. The NSLS is a joint project between the [http://www.gov.ns.ca/ohp/ Nova Scotia office of Health Promotion], and the Nova Scotia Branch of the [http://www.lifesavingsociety.ns.ca/ Lifesaving Society]. |
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The NSLS employs 50–60 [[lifeguard]]s every summer. The season runs from late June until the end of August. The NSLS was also key in the development of the [http://www.nsls.ns.ca/surfleague/ Nova Scotia Surf League], Canada's first surf lifesaving competition series, and has seen several Nova Scotian's being selected to the Core Team of the Canadian National Lifesaving Team since its inception. |
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The service was started as it became apparent that there were a high number of people drowning in the waters off of [[Nova Scotia]]. The Service was organized by Region, so that each Region is required to recruit and hire [[lifeguards]] for the beaches that will offer this service. |
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The service was born out of a [[1972]] study into a high number of drownings in the waters off of [[Nova Scotia]]. Originally called the ''Nova Scotia Beach Supervision Project'', the beaches were organized by region, so that each region is required to recruit and hire [[lifeguards]] for the beaches that would offer lifeguard supervision. The program was centrallized and began employing a full time director in [[1975]], when it also changed its name to the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service. |
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⚫ | There are a large number of |
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⚫ | There are a large number of supervised beaches in Nova Scotia. In 2005, the NSLS supervised 18 beaches around the province, and was responsible for training and administrating lifeguards for several others. A complete list of supervised beaches can be found on the [http://www.nsls.ns.ca/beaches/index.htm NSLS Supervised Beaches] page. In the area surrounding [[Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], there are only about three to five supervised beaches. Usually supervised beaches are chosen based on how busy the beach is, but the severity of the [[waves]] and [[ocean current|currents]] can also be factors. Popular supervised beaches around Halifax include [http://www.nsls.ns.ca/beaches/queensland.htm Queensland],[http://www.nsls.ns.ca/beaches/rainbowhaven.htm Rainbow Haven], [http://www.nsls.ns.ca/beaches/lawrencetown.htm Lawrencetown], [http://www.nsls.ns.ca/beaches/dollarlake.htm Dollar Lake], and [http://www.nsls.ns.ca/beaches/clamharbour.htm Clam Harbour]. |
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⚫ | [[Lifeguards]] chosen in [[Nova Scotia]] must complete a rigorous interview process. All [[lifeguards]] must be certified through the National Lifeguard Service Award and have Standard [[First Aid]] course |
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⚫ | [[Lifeguards]] chosen in [[Nova Scotia]] must complete a rigorous interview process. All [[lifeguards]] must be certified through the National Lifeguard Service Award and have been certified in a Standard [[First Aid]] course. Also, they must be trained in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) level C. Applicants must then complete a timed 500-meter swim, a timed 3.2 km run, and a timed 50-meter carry with a manikin. There has also been a written test taken by applicants. Once a [[lifeguard]] is hired he/she must complete a four day training camp. This rigorous program has proven successful with no one drowning within the supervised area of any NSLS beach during hours of supervision since the program's inception in 1973. |
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==External link== |
==External link== |
Revision as of 15:38, 27 January 2006
The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, or NSLS, has been guarding Nova Scotia's beaches since 1973. The NSLS is a joint project between the Nova Scotia office of Health Promotion, and the Nova Scotia Branch of the Lifesaving Society.
The NSLS employs 50–60 lifeguards every summer. The season runs from late June until the end of August. The NSLS was also key in the development of the Nova Scotia Surf League, Canada's first surf lifesaving competition series, and has seen several Nova Scotian's being selected to the Core Team of the Canadian National Lifesaving Team since its inception.
The service was born out of a 1972 study into a high number of drownings in the waters off of Nova Scotia. Originally called the Nova Scotia Beach Supervision Project, the beaches were organized by region, so that each region is required to recruit and hire lifeguards for the beaches that would offer lifeguard supervision. The program was centrallized and began employing a full time director in 1975, when it also changed its name to the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service.
There are a large number of supervised beaches in Nova Scotia. In 2005, the NSLS supervised 18 beaches around the province, and was responsible for training and administrating lifeguards for several others. A complete list of supervised beaches can be found on the NSLS Supervised Beaches page. In the area surrounding Halifax, there are only about three to five supervised beaches. Usually supervised beaches are chosen based on how busy the beach is, but the severity of the waves and currents can also be factors. Popular supervised beaches around Halifax include Queensland,Rainbow Haven, Lawrencetown, Dollar Lake, and Clam Harbour.
Lifeguards chosen in Nova Scotia must complete a rigorous interview process. All lifeguards must be certified through the National Lifeguard Service Award and have been certified in a Standard First Aid course. Also, they must be trained in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) level C. Applicants must then complete a timed 500-meter swim, a timed 3.2 km run, and a timed 50-meter carry with a manikin. There has also been a written test taken by applicants. Once a lifeguard is hired he/she must complete a four day training camp. This rigorous program has proven successful with no one drowning within the supervised area of any NSLS beach during hours of supervision since the program's inception in 1973.