Lifeguards here at Fort Bliss

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Sinthia Rosario | Zach Kuyl, a Lifeguard for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation, observes the children during his shift at the community pool at Fort Bliss, Texas, June 20, 2012. The community pool is located at Building 253 Club Road, Fort Bliss, Texas.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

06.20.2012

Story by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

FORT BLISS, Texas - Summer is here and with it comes water activities; lifeguards here at Fort Bliss ensure a fun, safe environment, while maintaining rules and regulations that apply for both children and adults.

“Safety is the number one priority here at Bliss,” said Bobby G. Carrasquillo Jr., a lifeguard and recreation aid for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “Especially in this kind of environment, where we have a lot of kids. There are so many kids, and during that time unexpected things can happen.”

“It’s good having lifeguards, because you never know, a child can suddenly get a cramp or something and start going down under water,” said Laura E. Yu, a civilian from El Paso, Texas. “I feel a sense of security knowing the lifeguards are paying attention to our children, and even if the child gets in trouble for running or something, that lets me know they are doing their job right.”

The lifeguards are there to assist family members by providing customer service, first aid, enforcing rules and regulations of the pool, and to keep the family members from causing harm to themselves.

MWR has 30 lifeguards and three swimming pools. A fourth pool will be opening next month. A minimum of two certified lifeguards must be on duty to perform water rescue operations. Replica Aquatic Center requires more for its size, at least four lifeguards, stated Tiffany D. Mogen, assistant aquatic manager for Replica Aquatic Center.

“I think it’s great [having lifeguards] especially having multiple kids, it’s nice to have a backup, especially when your husband is not here all the time, it’s just great to have another set of eyes looking at the kids,” said Melanie A. Hayne, an Army spouse. “They do a very, very good job.”

Lifeguards tend to work better when they enjoy what they do.

“I love working here!” said Marla Diaz, a lifeguard and water instructor with MWR. “I love what I do and I think we do a very good job and people don’t often see that.” She also stated that she enjoys giving swim classes.

Aside from keeping watch of those on or near the water areas, many of the lifeguards here at Bliss are instructors. MWR offers a variety of classes to include swimming, aerobics, water survival and others.

For more information on these classes contact the Replica Aquatic Center at 915-568-7431.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2012
• Date Posted: 06.25.2012 17:22
• Story ID: 90564
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US