Shortage of staff: Because lifeguards are missing, Securitas are now used as lifeguards
Released
There are no lifeguards in many bathing establishments in the canton of Zurich. Security personnel have now taken over the task. Bathers have nothing to fear.
Just in time for the start of summer, lifeguards are missing in 20 bathing establishments in the canton of Zurich. And because for most pools there is no question of adjusting the opening times or even stopping operations, the pools have now hired employees from Securitas AG, such as the «daily scoreboard» reported. The security personnel are well prepared for the task – because they also have a certificate from the SLRG (Swiss Life Saving Society) and training in first aid.
Company spokesman Niels Stokholm believes that a satisfactory solution has probably been found with the help of the Securitas employees. He countered that while most of the security staff would perform supervisory services, some pools also acted as lifeguards and had primary responsibility for operations. According to Stokholm, they have additional specific training for lifeguards or lifeguards. With these skills, they surpassed the requirements of the lifeguard association.
The lifeguard job is no longer attractive
Daniel Tanner, head of the city of Wädenswil, sees the reason for the current lack of staff in the pools in the corona pandemic. Many lifeguards may have reoriented themselves in the last two years after indoor and leisure pools were open for a long time, says Tanner.
The opinion in the communities is different. The number of applicants has declined sharply in recent years and not just since Corona, they say. In addition to good physical condition and swimming skills, technical skills are also required. For example, the pool attendant is also responsible for water treatment or building services – all for a starting wage of around 4,700 to 5,000 francs. Last but not least: You work on weekends, on public holidays or when the weather is perfect.
New lifeguards will be trained from next year. There will then be a new apprenticeship, says Michel Kunz, President of the Swiss Lifeguard Association, to the “Tages-Anzeiger”. This is a new subject in the business maintenance EFZ apprenticeship, as Tobias Bernhard from the Sports Department of the City of Zurich explains in more detail. In the new specialization in sports facilities, the trainees will take care of bathing facilities, ice rinks, lawn sports and indoor sports. Anyone who then wants to become a lifeguard must also complete training in first aid and the lifeguard certification.