How should lifeguards communicate with each other on duty?

Lifeguards on duty must communicate effectively and efficiently to ensure the safety of the swimmers and manage situations that arise. Utilizing hand signals or whistles is particularly effective in an environment like a pool or beach where noise levels can be high and swimmers may be splashing or otherwise making sounds that could drown out verbal commands.

Hand signals provide a clear and quick way of communication without the need for loud shouting, which could potentially cause panic among swimmers or create confusion. Whistles serve the dual purpose of capturing attention and providing a universal communication tool. Signals can indicate various situations such as a need for assistance, a warning, or other important actions without the necessity of clear sightlines or the complications that come with blocking the view with physical barriers.

Verbal commands, while useful, can be easily misunderstood in a chaotic environment, and written messages would be too slow to use effectively in emergency situations. Mobile phones, although useful for communication, are not practical for immediate interactions between lifeguards who are stationed at different points and need to respond to matters quickly. Thus, hand signals and whistles remain the preferred method for communicating in real time during their duties.