When someone isn’t breathing, activating the Emergency Action Plan comes first.

Outline (a quick map to keep the flow)

• Hook: a real-world moment at the pool and why timing matters

• The hero move: Activate the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is the first thing

• What the EAP does: who to notify, what gear to grab, and how it coordinates care

• The steps that follow: CPR, rescue breaths, AED, and getting extra help

• Guarding the process: clear communication, roles, and drills that keep people safe

• A few practical touches: keeping calm, teamwork, and small habits that pay off

• Final takeaway: the EAP isn’t a single act but the backbone of a fast, organized response

What happens in a real moment? Let’s set the scene

You’re stationed at the pool, sun turning the water to glass, when something shifts. A guest isn’t breathing. The responsible thing to do is quick, calm, and decisive action. The instinct to react is there, but the smarter instinct is to switch into the team mode in a heartbeat. The correct immediate action isn’t “start CPR” or “call for help” in isolation. It’s to activate the Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Think of the EAP as the playbook that brings everyone and everything together so care arrives fast and in the right order.

Activate the Emergency Action Plan (EAP): what does that mean in practice?

Here’s the thing about an EAP: it’s not a single shout or signal. It’s a coordinated set of steps designed to mobilize the right people, the right equipment, and the right timing. When you determine a guest is not breathing, the primary action is to trigger that plan. Why? Because time matters, and a well-activated EAP creates a ripple effect of action—no wasted seconds, no scrambling.

In a typical lifeguard environment, activating the EAP means:

• Notifying the on-duty supervisor or lead lifeguard, so the team knows there’s a medical distress situation.

• Calling emergency medical services (EMS) or alerting the swim center’s designated emergency line.

• Alerting additional lifeguards to come to the scene with backup gear, such as a rescue tube, first aid kit, and an AED if it’s at hand.

• Ensuring bystanders aren’t crowding the area, so light and air move through the space and caregivers can work safely.

• Coordinating with non-lifeguard staff who may have roles in crowd control, securing the deck, or guiding EMS if they arrive.

In short, the EAP is about getting the right people and tools to the right place as quickly as possible. It turns a chaotic moment into a controlled operation with a clear leader, a clear plan, and a clear chain of communication.

What comes next after the EAP is called into action?

Once the EAP is active, the team can proceed with care in a way that minimizes delays. There are a few path options depending on who’s available and what the scene looks like, but the overall rhythm remains steady.

1. CPR and rescue breaths: timing and training matter

If you’re trained in CPR and rescue breaths, you’ll follow the standard sequence once help is on the way or when you’re the sole responder with training. In many real-world scenes, you’ll begin with chest compressions if the person isn’t breathing and there’s no pulse, and you may alternate with rescue breaths as you’re able and as protocol allows. The key takeaway is: don’t wait to start care if the EAP is being activated and help is en route. CPR can start, but it’s done within the framework your team has established.

2. AED: a critical teammate

If an Automated External Defibrillator is available, it’s deployed as part of the plan as soon as practicable. The AED doesn’t replace CPR; it augments it. You apply the pads, follow the device’s prompts, and continue chest compressions until EMS arrives or the person shows signs of life. The moment the AED is introduced, the tempo of the scene shifts toward rapid rechecking and hands-on care with the device involved.

3. When to call for help vs. when to rely on your team

In a staffed pool with a robust EAP, you’ll often have someone already on the line—someone designated to call EMS. If you’re the first on the scene, you typically call for help and then begin the EAP sequence. If you’re not alone, another lifeguard can take the caller role for EMS while you focus on patient care. It’s a simple division of labor, but it makes a world of difference in those tense first minutes.

The subtle art of communication and role clarity

One thing that separates a frantic moment from a disciplined response is how the team communicates. Short, decisive phrases work best. “EAP activation,” “AED coming,” “two on scene,” “CPR in progress,”—these aren’t just words; they are the map for actions, ensuring no one duplicates effort or misses a crucial step.

Roles matter

In most lifeguard teams, roles are clear:

• The scene caller: initiates the EAP and keeps EMS informed.

• The primary caregiver: performs CPR or assists with it, uses the AED as instructed.

• The equipment runner: brings AED, bag-valve mask, oxygen, and any other needed gear.

• The crowd control/Lifeguard in charge: clears the area and manages bystanders.

When everyone knows their job, the response feels almost choreographed in the best sense—precise, efficient, and reassuring to witnesses.

A few practical touches that keep the flow smooth

• Drills aren’t just stressful exercises; they’re rehearsals for real life. Regular EAP rehearsals help lifeguards recall lines, signals, and sequences under pressure.

• Radios and wall speakers aren’t gadgets; they’re lifelines. Clear, practiced communication saves precious seconds.

• AEDs aren’t intimidating tools—they’re ready-made devices. Learn their location, practice the pad placement, and memorize the steps. The more familiar you are, the quicker you’ll be when it matters.

• Keep the deck tidy. An organized space reduces hesitation. Clear pathways, ready equipment, and visible cues help everyone act with confidence.

• Documentation and post-event debriefs matter. After the scene is safe, a quick debrief helps the team learn what went well and what could be smoother next time.

A quick tangent you might appreciate

If you’ve ever been around a busy pool, you’ve seen how stands, lounge chairs, and snack bars shape the atmosphere. In a real emergency, that atmosphere can either help or hinder. A calm, businesslike environment supports fast decision-making. It helps people stay on task rather than staring in shock. That’s why a strong EAP, practiced and familiar, isn’t just about the moment of crisis—it’s about the lasting culture of safety around the pool.

Common questions that show up in these moments

• Do you start CPR before you call for help? If you’re alone and trained, you may start CPR and call for help if you’re able. If you’re in a team, activate the EAP first so the scene is secured and EMS is on the line.

• When can you switch from rescue breaths to chest compressions? Standard protocols suggest starting with CPR as appropriate and continuing with cycles of chest compressions and ventilations as you’re trained, especially if a pulse is absent. In any case, follow your team’s EAP protocol and AED guidance.

• What if an AED isn’t immediately available? Begin CPR, call for help, and wait for the equipment or for EMS. The goal is to keep blood circulating until more definitive care arrives.

Real-world reminders that help in the moment

• Trust the plan. The EAP exists because it’s been thought through under diverse scenarios. Trust the steps, not your nerves.

• Stay centered on the person. It’s easy to get lost in the mechanics, but never forget there’s a person who needs care now.

• Keep the big picture in view: the faster you mobilize, the better the chance of a good outcome.

• After the scene—give yourself time to recover. Crises like this’re exhausting. A quick debrief, a level breath, and a moment with teammates help restore focus for the next shift.

Bringing it back to the core idea

When you determine a guest isn’t breathing, activating the Emergency Action Plan is the immediate, most important move. It catalyzes the rest of the response—calling for help, bringing in extra hands, summoning the AED, and setting up a clear, organized path for patient care. The EAP is the backbone of a safe, effective rescue operation. It’s not flashy; it’s essential. And when a team executes it well, the outcome for the person in distress is what truly matters.

If you’re reading this because you care about pool safety, you’re not just learning rules you’ll memorize and recite. You’re building a habit of readiness—an instinct to act decisively, calmly, and with enough coordination to turn a scary moment into a life-saving one. That’s the essence of being a lifeguard: eyes open, plan in hand, and a team that’s ready to move together.

Final note: stay curious, stay prepared

No matter your role at the pool, knowing when to activate the EAP and how the rest of the sequence unfolds makes all the difference. A well-oiled plan, practiced with real sincerity, helps you stay one step ahead—safeguarding guests and supporting each other in moments that test the nerves and sharpen the skills.

If you want a quick takeaway: remember this—when a guest isn’t breathing, the first move is to trigger the plan. Everything else follows, with precision, care, and teamwork. And that’s how pool safety becomes second nature.