To prevent drownings, what should be continuously maintained?

The continuous maintenance of 10/20 scanning is essential in preventing drownings because it establishes a systematic approach to monitoring the safety of guests in the water. By implementing this technique, lifeguards are trained to scan their designated area every 10 seconds while being able to recognize and respond to any possible emergencies within 20 seconds. This twofold method enhances vigilance, allowing lifeguards to quickly identify potential drowning situations or distress signals from swimmers.

Maintaining awareness of guest activities, while crucial, is a part of the broader scanning process and does not provide the structured interval that 10/20 scanning does. Communication with guests contributes to safety, but it cannot replace the necessity of ongoing visual monitoring. Scheduled breaks are important for lifeguard rest but do not directly contribute to continuous active surveillance that can prevent drownings. Ultimately, 10/20 scanning integrates these elements into a cohesive strategy that prioritizes the safety of all swimmers.