Water Safety Library by Coach George Young
WELCOME to the San Gabriel Sea Gulls (SGSG) Water Safety Page!
The page is developed to promote, enhance and educate any interested individuals wanting to know more about water safety awareness. Feel free to check out any articles in the archives below, as well as the most current one.
Head Coach of SGSG, George Young has been promoting water safety awareness for decades and has blended competitive swimming and water safety to enrich all that aquatics have to offer.
This section is dedicated to the following individuals stated below in honor of the each of their willingness to make aquatics around them a little bit better: Don Lamont, John McClain, Coach Schron, Joe Golden, Dr. Tom Griffiths, WSGVY finest Elaine and Phillis, City of San Gabriel Legends George Kotchnik and Robert Harris, and the National Prevention of Drowning Association.
All articles stored in this section are the personal views of Coach George Young and do not necessary reflect the views of the USA Swimming Age Group Swim Team, San Gabriel Sea Gulls. Any reproduction or use of the articles disclosed must have approval of the host and Coach George Young.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shortage of lifeguards. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, there will still be a shortage of well-trained lifeguards. GY
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, most aquatic facilities that could open for business were steps behind on conducting the in-water service staff training sessions needed for the lifeguards. Many restrictions, liability issues, and just wanting to move forward with opening pools in the small window that partly open have led to poor in-service training for lifeguards. In LA County, the restrictions were intense and needed. The American Red Cross extending lifeguard certifications with a simple on-line review was needed. The aquatic field did what was needed to open the pools. The one limitation on opening pools that was extremely difficult was conducting in-water training for the aquatic staff. Now for some daydreaming -- George’s dreamy insight……..
If I had unlimited wealth, this is just of the things I would do to ensure a safer aquatic environment for all. I would put together an epic Hollywood production to promote this campaign. Oh, the campaign is providing training for lifeguards under any circumstances. Can you imagine Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Jessica Alba, and Keira Knightley all four sharing the stage getting everyone excited about being a well-trained lifeguard? Then you throw in a few short bits between it all with Jack Nicholson, kind of scary oversite of drowning. Then to top it off, Denzel Washington's closing remarks purely motivating everyone to do the best you can. That will, in an epic way, take care of the marketing! One may ask, what exactly are they marketing? The borrowing of lifeguard training manakins for in-service training during the COVID-19 pandemic. An established foundation lead by the aquatic’s finest to ensure the safety of all! A foundation that will enable aquatic facilities to borrow lifeguard training manakins at no cost.
What makes this so interesting is a finger has been pointed at an individual and not the agency he works under nor the supervisor that supervises him nor the board of directors that are the owners of the pool. This could be BIG and the Aquatic Magazine labels it as a Game Changer.
Remember, money will not be an issue; the founder of the foundation has bottomless pockets. I am not endorsing or under contract with the following company, but as easy as one-stop shopping, they have almost all that is needed, check out The Lifeguard Store web-site for the following rescue products; Child and adult water rescue manakins, silhouette dolls, and my favorite beast of water rescuing the Snyder Training manakin all ready to be checked out to aid aquatic facilities in staff in-service training. Allowing the agencies to use the water rescue manikins for training will only enhance the safer pool concept and, hopefully, create a gateway for the best-trained lifeguards for all.
Not a true story BUT a true dream ……
Arranged by non-bottomless pockets, George Young
ARC Lifeguarding Class Oct. 8-9, 2023
American Red Cross Lifeguarding classes
Presented by: The YMCA of WSGV, SGSG & GYinstitute
The three organizations are pairing up to promote water safety throughout the
San Gabriel Valley!
The American Red Cross (ARC) lifeguard Class for shallow water Full Course
Oct 7-8, 2023, 9 am-6 pm @ the Y
Cost: $85.00----no hidden cost
ARC Lifeguarding shallow water REVIEW COURSE
Oct. 7, 2023, Noon -6 pm @ the Y & Oct. 8, 2023, 9 am-5 pm/ Cost $75.00
Instructor: George Young has over 43 years combined years of experience as a swim
instructor, USA Swimming Coach, ARC Lifeguard instructor, and CPO. George Young is
a licensed ARC training provider, USA Swimming Certified swim coach, and Current
Certified Pool Operator #4h83320s.
Registration procedures: To reserve a spot in the class, please email George Young at
gyinstitute@ hotmail.com. Limited students, and it will be first come, first serve. The full
payment is due on the first day of class. Cash or check --checks payable to "GYinstitute."
The last day to register is Sept. 30. These classes are offered to WSGV YMCA employees
and members of SGSG only.
Must attend all classes to pass. A blended learning online course will be required. Upon passing,
one will receive an ARC Cert in shallow water Lifeguarding, which includes CPR and First Aid.
The standard swim test will be conducted, and an appointment will be established after one
register for the class. The swim test will align with the required skills of the ARC course. Don't
hesitate to contact George directly for more info on the skills necessary.
Students will need an ARC lifeguarding participant book. Must purchase book on own or
download from ARC. A link will be sent to you upon registration with the textbook link.
Please bring a pencil, paper, swimsuit, and ARC lifeguarding book for each class. Also, bring a
smile and be ready to train! Y location is 401 E. Corto St./Alh-----Questions email:
[email protected]
2020 Article Archives
- 2020.11.12 The Three Things I learned as A Swim Coach and A Water Safety Activist during COVID-19
2017 Article Archives
- 2017.09.23 Recap of Busy Aquatic Season
- 2017.05.31 Ground Breaking Thoughts about Water Safety
- 2017.05.27 Water Safety Awareness with a twist of general summer safeguards
2016 Article Archives
- 2016.10.04 Several Water Safety Notes
- 2016.08.22 Review of ARC Jan 2016 'Proceeding'
- 2016.03.26 Part 2 of what is with the NEW ARC safety Classes
- 2016.03.09 Part 1 of what is with the NEW ARC safety Classes
2015 Article Archives
- 2015.03.05 Rescue Tube Project
- 2015.01.15 Keeping it Fresh : Skill Retention
2014 Article Archives
- 2014.09.18 End of Summer Snapshot
- 2014.05.31 Peeing in the Pool
- 2014.05.19 NCHS Report on Unintentional Drowning Deaths
- 2014.02.13 Safety First is theme of this announcement
- 2014.02.06 This Could Be BIG! - Texas case
2013 Article Archives
- 2013.05.28 CPSC drowning report 2013
- 2013.04.29 A Fast Pool is usually a very proficiency pool
- 2013.04.16 Offering ARC Lifeguarding Class
- 2013.01.23 Water Safety Tips #4 Pre Spring
2012 Article Archives
- 2012.09.04 Offering ARC Lifeguarding Class
- 2012.05.24 Facts about Water Safety Awareness
- 2012.05.17 Back to Back to Back WS
- 2012.04.12 Lifeguarding at Swim Meets
- 2012.03.17 Shallow Water Drowning
- 2012.03.06 Review of New ARC Class
- 2012.02.05 News Concerning New ARC Lifeguarding Class
- 2012.01.18 Layers of Protection - Backyard Pool, Smith Park Pool
2011 Article Archives
- 2011.12.26 ARC Class Updates
- 2011.12.10 ARC New Lifeguarding Class Preview
- 2011.09.21 Water Safety Highlights of Summer 2011
- 2011.06.28 Lifejackets! (2) Will lifejackets save lives?
- 2011.05.17 Lifejackets! (1) Will lifejackets save lives?
- 2011.04.06 Safety First! - South Carolina & Texas strong approach to Water Safety
- 2011.04.02 Ten Eye Opening Facts concerning Water Safety Awareness
George Young is a well-rounded aquatic enthusiast specializing in all aspects of water. George has been a professional swim coach specializing in developing age group swimmers for more than 32 years. George swam competitively for 10 years and reached the national level of the sport. George is also very active in the management side of aquatics. He has more than 19 years of experience as an aquatic director/pool manager and is a current Certified Pool Operator. George’s involvement in promoting water safety awareness won him the USA Swimming Safety Commendation Award in 2001. He is a current American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor and Water Safety Instructor IT and has trained over 300 lifeguards & swim instructors. George resides in San Gabriel California and is a proud father of two sons, Sean and Evan and is happily married to wife Yuki.
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