After placing an unconscious guest on a tube, the next step is to activate your EAP and clear the pool.

In the blink of an eye, a guest goes unconscious and you’ve got a tube under them, keeping the airway open while you think through the next move. The moment you place someone on a rescue tube, there’s a clear, important sequence to follow. The answer isn’t just about getting hands on the chest as fast as possible—though that’s crucial later. The immediate next step is to activate your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and clear the pool.

Let me explain why that order matters and how it looks in day-to-day lifeguarding.

Why the EAP first feels like a multitasker’s dream

Think of the EAP as the playbook your team follows when trouble hits. It’s not a single task; it’s a coordinated set of actions designed to move help into position fast. When you activate the plan, you’re not shouting into a void. You’re signaling to other lifeguards, pool staff, and, if needed, the emergency medical system, that a life-threatening event is underway and needs immediate, organized support.

Activating the EAP accomplishes a few things at once:

• It calls in backup. More eyes on the pool mean you can split tasks—one person gathers equipment, another handles crowd control, another communicates with EMS.

• It clears the deck so responders can work. Dead space with bystanders, equipment, and distractions slows down life-saving care.

• It unlocks a swift, predictable chain of communication. When everyone hears “EAP activated,” they know who is doing what, and there’s less guesswork and higher odds of a proper response.

Clearing the pool: setting the stage for real help

Clearing the pool doesn’t mean telling people to clap and cheer for the drama. It’s about safety and access. A crowded, noisy deck can get in the way of chest compressions, airway management, and the quick placement of a backboard or AED if needed. It also helps EMS reach the victim without tripping over towels, floatation aids, or curious kids.

When you clear the pool, you’re doing three practical things:

• You create a clean, unobstructed path for responders. That means space for a backboard, for a neck collar if required, and for any equipment the team brings in.

• You reduce crowd noise and confusion. People can stay calm when they know the area is controlled and that trained staff are handling the situation.

• You reinforce safety for others nearby. A calm, cordoned-off scene lowers the risk of unintentional interference or secondary injuries.

What activating the EAP looks like in the real world

Let’s break down a practical flow you can picture on a busy pool deck.

1. Alert your team immediately

You’ve placed the guest on a tube and secured the airway for the moment. Your first action is to notify your teammates: “EAP in effect.” Use your radio or PA system if your facility uses one. This isn’t a drill; it’s a call to arms. Assign roles quickly—who grabs the AED, who fetches a backboard, who communicates with the supervisor, and who handles bystander management.

2. Clear the area

Without yelling or creating panic, direct patrons to step back from the pool edge and away from the victim. If you have lifeguard stations around the pool, have staff gently guide people toward exits or designated gathering points. Close any pool features that could complicate care, like slides or splash zones if possible, so responders can work without interruption.

3. Notify EMS if needed

If the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or you’re unsure, call EMS right away as part of the EAP. If your site uses a direct line to EMS, use it. If you’re relying on a 911 call, designate someone to make the call so you can stay with the patient and continue the essential care.

4. Gather needed equipment

While the area is being cleared, someone should be retrieving the rescue tube, a backboard, and an AED if it’s indicated. If you’re trained to use oxygen or a bag-valve-mask device, have those ready as well. Time is precious here, but accuracy is crucial.

5. Maintain focus on the patient

With the team en route and the pool cleared, you can shift to more definitive care. If you’re trained and your protocol allows it, you’ll begin or resume CPR once you’ve ensured your own safety and the scene is secure, and you’ll use the AED as soon as it’s available.

What to do next, after the EAP is running smoothly

After you’ve activated the plan and cleared the deck, you’ll typically proceed with advanced life support steps per your training and local guidelines. For an unconscious guest on a tube, the immediate actions often include:

• Reassessing the airway and breathing. If the patient is not breathing normally, begin CPR per your protocol.

• Checking for a pulse and, if trained, delivering chest compressions with proper technique.

• Using an AED as soon as it’s available if the person is in cardiac arrest.

• Preparing for rapid transfer to medical responders, if needed.

All of this happens while you’re still standing between the crowd and the patient, keeping the scene controlled. It’s a delicate balance: you’re providing hands-on care, but you’re also weaving in commands to keep things moving and people out of harm’s way.

A few practical tips that help in the moment

• Keep your language simple and concise. Short commands like “Clear the pool,” “Backboard team, ready,” or “EMS on the line, stand by” cut through the noise.

• Use your voice and body language to project calm authority. Confidence helps others stay calm, which matters when seconds feel like hours.

• Remember roles. If you haven’t trained with a specific team, you’ll still follow your site’s EAP framework—knowing who fetches what and who communicates what message makes a big difference.

• Practice scene management during drills. It’s not about rehearsing a drama; it’s about making the real moment easier. Regular practice helps teams respond as a single unit.

Common questions that come up on pool decks

• What if there’s only you on duty? If you’re alone, you still activate the EAP and start clearing the area while you call for backup. If you have a radio, use it. If you must, begin CPR if the person isn’t breathing and there’s no pulse, but don’t skip the EAP step—even with one person.

• Should you check breathing before activating the EAP? No. Checking breathing can delay critical actions. The EAP activation and area clearance should happen immediately so responders can reach the patient quickly.

• How do you keep bystanders safe without escalating fear? A calm, transparent approach helps. Briefly tell them you’re administering care and need space, and guide them to safe zones. A little explanation goes a long way toward cooperation.

Lessons from real-life moments

You’ll find that the most successful responses hinge on smooth teamwork. The eyes on the pool, the voices that carry across the deck, and the quiet confidence of a team that knows the drill—it’s all about trust. When you’ve rehearsed the EAP and practiced clearing the pool, the scene becomes less chaotic and more focused. You’re not guessing; you’re acting with purpose.

A closer look at why this approach matters for safety

The lifeguard’s job is never just about one person in trouble; it’s about safeguarding everyone nearby and maintaining a path to medical help. By placing the unconscious guest on a tube and immediately activating the EAP while clearing the pool, you:

• Reduce delay in getting advanced care to the patient.

• Create an unobstructed space for EMS and responders to work.

• Preset a reliable chain of communication, so your team isn’t improvising at high speed.

• Keep other patrons calm and informed, which helps prevent secondary incidents.

From the deck to the medical responders

Think of it as passing a baton. You, on the deck, initiate the signal and set the stage. The EMS team arrives to finish the job with their tools and expertise. When each person knows their part and the space is clear, the chances of a positive outcome rise.

Bringing it all together

The next time you find yourself with an unconscious guest on a tube, remember the rhythm: activate your EAP and clear the pool. It’s not a flashy move; it’s the practical, smart choice that unlocks faster help and sets the table for skilled care. It’s about teamwork, clear communication, and staying cool when things get tense.

If you’re watching a real scenario unfold, you’ll notice something else that’s worth noting: the power of preparation. Routine drills, clear roles, and familiar phrases don’t just fill time—they save time when it matters most. And yes, the moment you spin back to the basics—protect the airway, check for signs of life, call for help—you’re honoring a responsibility that’s bigger than any one person on the pool deck.

A final thought

Safety isn’t a single act; it’s a practiced routine that becomes second nature. The EAP and a cleared pool aren’t just bureaucratic steps; they’re the concrete actions that keep people safe while the rest of the team does what they trained to do. So the next time you’re on duty and you place an unconscious guest on a tube, let the plan kick in. Let the pool deck become a stage for a calm, coordinated, life-saving response. And afterward, take a breath, debrief with your team, and carry that readiness into the next shift. Because in the end, the goal is simple: give every guest the best possible chance at getting back to the poolside smile they came for.