When a patron is struck by lightning, lifeguards should provide care if safe and call emergency services.

Outline for the article

• Opening frame: lightning safety at the pool deck and why quick, correct action matters.

• Key takeaway: when a patron is struck, provide care if it’s safe and call emergency services.

• Why this approach matters: cardiac arrest risk, nerve and breathing issues, and the role of a lifeguard in the chain of survival.

• Step-by-step actions you can take (in the heat of the moment, practically):

• Ensure your own safety first

• Check for responsiveness and breathing

• Call or trigger EMS immediately

• Start CPR and use an AED as soon as it’s available

• Move the victim only if there’s an immediate hazard and you can do so safely

• Keep the scene calm and manage bystanders

• Environmental considerations after a strike: stay alert for more weather, avoid additional hazards, and document what happened.

• Common missteps to dodge

• Training realism and equipment tips

• Closing thought: preparedness, teamwork, and staying human in the moment

Lightning on the radar: a lifeguard’s live situation

Let’s paint a quick scene. It’s a typical sunny day that suddenly turns angry—the kind of thunderstorm that makes you wish you could hit a pause button. People scatter, umbrellas stay in their bags, and the pool deck feels electric with wind and rain. In that moment, a lifeguard’s job is clear: keep people safe and respond with calm, precise action. When a patron is struck by lightning, you don’t wait for the storm to pass or hope the situation fixes itself. You act—skillfully, safely, and fast.

The core answer: B. Provide care if safe to do so and call for emergency services

If you’ve ever reviewed lifeguard protocols, you know the gravity of lightning’s aftermath. A strike can trigger cardiac arrest, irregular breathing, burns, and other serious injuries. The right move is to provide care if it’s safe to approach and simultaneously summon professional medical help. Why? Because every second counts. You’re working to stabilize the person as you get EMS on the way, and you’re buying time for advanced care to arrive. It’s a practical, life-saving rhythm: assess, assist, call, and monitor.

What makes this approach so essential

• Cardiac arrest risk: Lightning can disrupt the heart’s electrical system. Immediate CPR can be the difference between a revival and a tragedy.

• Breathing issues: Victims may be unresponsive or gasping. Early intervention helps maintain circulation and oxygen delivery.

• Time matters: EMS professionals arrive with specialized equipment—defibrillators, advanced airway protection, medications. Your early actions set the stage for the best possible outcome.

• Safety first: You’re not a bystander in this moment; you’re a responder. If the scene is unsafe (for example, active lightning near the pool or live electrical hazards), you don’t rush to the victim—you wait for a safer window or remove others from danger before acting.

A practical, step-by-step action plan

1. Make sure you’re safe first

• Before you move toward the victim, look for hazards. Lightning doesn’t respect people. If you’re still in an active storm or there are downed power lines, your first move is to relocate to safety and alert others. If the storm has ended or you’ve got a safe window, proceed with caution.

• If you’re already away from water and the area is clear, approach only when you can do so without putting yourself at risk.

2. Check for responsiveness and breathing

• Approach calmly, spoken words first: “Are you okay? Can you respond?” If there’s no response, check for normal breathing. If you don’t see breathing or you hear gasping, assume they need CPR.

• If you’re trained and it’s within your scope, start the rescue sequence right away. If you’re alone, shout for help so someone else can assist with CPR and call EMS.

3. Call EMS immediately

• Time to call is now. If you’re at a pool with a PA system or radios, announce a medical emergency and request EMS. If there’s a phone you have immediate access to, dial the local emergency number and give precise location details (pool deck, building, landmarks, and any hazards).

• If someone else can call, have them do it while you attend to the victim. If you’re with a team, designate a “medical lead” to coordinate EMS contact and status updates.

4. Begin CPR and use an AED when available

• If there’s no pulse and the person isn’t breathing, start CPR right away—compressions first, then rescue breaths if you’re trained for that. Switch every two minutes with a teammate to prevent fatigue.

• Retrieve and apply an AED as soon as it’s ready. AEDs are designed to be user-friendly; follow the voice prompts. The device may guide you through shock delivery if a shock is indicated.

• If you’re unsure about your CPR depth or rate, rely on standard guidelines and practice. The goal is steady compressions to keep blood circulating until advanced help arrives.

5. Move the victim only if there’s immediate danger

• In most cases, you’ll keep the victim where they are or move them only to a safer spot (away from water, away from electrical hazards, or to a dry surface) if remaining there puts you or the victim at greater risk.

• Don’t relocate a patient merely for convenience or to “get them out of the rain” if the environment is still hazardous. Your first concern is safety and stabilization.

6. Calm bystanders and control the scene

• People around you will want to help. Guide them with simple tasks: clear the area, fetch the AED, bring a towel for warmth, or help with crowd control.

• Clear communication matters. Let them know EMS is on the way and that you’re administering care while they stay back to avoid crowding the patient.

After the storm passes: what comes next

• Once help has arrived or the victim is stabilized, secure the area. Record what happened, including how long the victim was unresponsive, when CPR was started, and when the AED was used.

• Monitor the person until EMS takes over. Keep the scene quiet and provide reassurance to other patrons who witnessed the incident. People remember fear as vividly as the thunder.

Common missteps to avoid

• Waiting for perfect conditions: The right move isn’t waiting for everything to be “perfect.” It’s doing what you can safely do now while you get help.

• Moving the victim without need: If there’s no danger ahead, you don’t rush the victim to a new spot. Move only if staying puts them at risk or you must reach a safer location to perform CPR.

• Delaying EMS contact: Seconds matter. If you’re unsure whether to call, err on the side of caution and contact emergency services.

• Stalling or hesitating: In a crisis, hesitation compounds risk. Stay calm, remember your training, and act.

Training, tools, and staying ready

• AEDs near pools save lives. Regularly check the device’s status, keep batteries fresh, and ensure staff know where it is and how to operate it.

• CPR refreshers aren’t fluff—they’re race-car-tire essential. Short drills, real-time feedback, and practice with teams help you respond instinctively.

• Drills should mirror real-world chaos: yelling, crowds, rain, and the adrenaline surge. Practice helps you stay human under pressure, not robotic.

• Equipment checks aren’t glamorous, but they’re crucial. Pads, masks, towels, bilge-safe rescue devices—everything should be in good working order and accessible.

A few human touches that keep the message grounded

• The pool deck doesn't distinguish between a routine day and a crisis. In the heat of the moment, you’re still a person with a job to do. A steady voice, a few clear commands, and a quick smile for a frightened bystander can help everyone stay focused.

• Lightning is a dramatic force, but the response is methodical. You’ll be balancing empathy with efficiency, making sure the victim gets what they need without turning the scene into chaos.

• You’ll likely remember the details later—the tone of the radio call, the position of the AED, the way a coworker steadied your hand with a firm nod. Those micro-moments matter as much as the big actions.

A closing perspective: preparedness is kindness in motion

When a patron is struck by lightning, you’re stepping into a critical moment where clear judgment and quick action save lives. The right move—provide care if safe to do so and call for emergency services—reflects a lifeguard’s core mission: to protect, respond, and sustain life when the unexpected crashes onto the deck. It’s a blend of technical skill and human steadiness, a reminder that preparedness isn’t a single skill but a rhythm you carry from one shift to the next.

If you’re curious about how this fits into day-to-day safety, think of it like this: every time you run through a quick check of alarms, equipment, and clear sightlines, you’re rehearsing for the moment when it actually matters. The pool is a community—and you’re its first line of reassurance when storm clouds roll in.

Bottom line

Lightning strikes demand a sharp, safe, and swift response. The best course is to provide care if it’s safe to approach and to call emergency services without delay. Start with life-saving basics, protect yourself from further harm, and bring in professional help as soon as possible. In the end, that blend of action and care is what keeps swimmers safe and what makes lifeguarding a trusted, indispensable service.