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Florissant Lifeguards Take 1st Place In Statewide Red Cross Competition
Florissant’s Parks and Recreation’s 1st Place Lifeguards
Nineteen lifeguard teams from across the state recently participated in the 13th Annual American Red Cross Lifeguard Competition hosted by the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter at the Wayne C. Kennedy Recreation Complex in St. Louis County.
The first place overall winner was Florissant Parks and Recreation – Team 3. Hannibal Parks and Recreation – Team 1 won second place overall, and Hannibal Parks and Recreation – Team 2 won third place overall.
Brandon McBride, a lifeguard from Ballwin, was honored with the Mark Finley Award in recognition of his outstanding lifesaving skills, team spirit and commitment to water safety. This award is presented in memory of Mark Finley, long-time Red Cross championship lifeguard/swimmer. In addition to the top three overall prizes, trophies were awarded to the first, second and third places for each event.
During the competition, lifeguard teams competed in scenario-based events designed to enhance their rescue skills. Judges awarded points to the lifeguard teams based on their performance in exercises that require substantial skills in CPR, First Aid, the rescue of passive and active victims, and the appropriate management of spinal injuries. Teams were comprised of four to six members, with four members participating in each event.
“The Red Cross is committed to training lifeguards to save lives, while emphasizing the highest standards of water safety.” said Joyce Bathke, Executive Officer of Health and Safety for the St. Louis Area Chapter. “The lifeguard competition presents lifeguards with realistic challenges that they must be prepared to face on a daily basis, while providing the opportunity for some friendly competition.”
Each year, the St. Louis Area Chapter trains over 32,000 people in water safety programs, including Learn-to-Swim and lifeguard certification curriculum. To learn more about American Red Cross water safety programs, please contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
