ItB次元官网网址檚 not every day that lifeguards get to use their training, but at least once a year, they get to sharpen their skills through an annual competition.

Eleven teams of lifeguards from across the province, including five teams from Vancouver Island, dove headfirst into the 2016 Barnsley B.C./Yukon Lifeguard Championship last weekend at Saanich Commonwealth Place.

The two-day event featured a manikin relay, pool simulations and a variety of first-aid scenarios designed to challenge their knowledge and judgment in times of crisis.

B次元官网网址淚 think a lot of members of the public donB次元官网网址檛 always know the level of training that lifeguards have,B次元官网网址� said Dale Miller, executive director of the Lifesaving SocietyB次元官网网址檚 B.C. and Yukon branch. B次元官网网址淭his competition certainly shows that level of training and displays the skills that they have. We feel this is an amazing opportunity for them to raise their skills to another level.B次元官网网址�

Four of the five Island teams were from Greater Victoria, including Extreme Caution, The Heart Stoppers, Fantastic Rookies 2.0 and Mouth to Mouth, with QualicumB次元官网网址檚 Ravensong Aquatic Centre team rounding out the Island entries.

The championship recreated real-world first aid scenarios, such as CPR on someone whoB次元官网网址檚 choking, and assessing a cycling crash. Miller said the training lifeguards receive can be translated to many situations outside of swimming.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had two recent situations where lifeguards have performed first aid out of the pool setting, outside of their jobs,B次元官网网址� he recalled. B次元官网网址淥ne incident was three young fellows from Kitimat on their way back from the Pemberton Music Festival. They came across a car accident, and with their skills, they reacted well, were calm under pressure, and they knew what to do.

B次元官网网址淭he other one was in Salt Spring just outside the aquatic centre B次元官网网址� a man fell down from a heart attack. The lifeguards were out there quickly with a defibrillator and used their first aid and rescue skills and saved his life.B次元官网网址�

Of the Greater Victoria teams, Extreme Caution placed second overall, placing first in the priority assessment, first aid and individual first aid competitions, but falling behind in the pool simulations, manikin relay and Barnsley relay.

The Heart Stoppers managed to excel where Extreme Caution didnB次元官网网址檛, placing first in the relays but slipping in the other contests, resulting in their third place finish.

Fantastic Rookies 2.0 placed seventh overall, but left Saanich Commonwealth Place with the title of Rookie Team of the Year.

The top team of the competition was AbbotsfordB次元官网网址檚 Eh Team, having aced the pool simulation and consistently placed second or third in the remaining competitions.

Miller said this yearB次元官网网址檚 event was very successful and he hopes more lifeguards from around B.C. will turn out for next yearB次元官网网址檚 competition.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to be able to take them out of the pool setting and test their first aid skills in different scenarios,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hese are skills that they carry for a lifetime.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com