What Should Be Inside Your Lifeguard Hip Pack
Lifeguards are responsible for more than monitoring the water and pulling swimmers to safety. They also treat minor injuries, administer lifesaving CPR and perform various tasks to keep the swimming area safe and enjoyable for all. According to the United States Lifesaving Association, lifeguards made 243,809 reported medical aids in 2018. Medical aid is defined as any action that requires medical attention serious enough for a written report. Of these medical aids, more than 200,000 were minor injuries, while nearly 43,000 were classified as major.
One reason lifeguards are effective in their position is due to the accessibility of essential emergency supplies, like gauze, pocket CPR masks and nitrile gloves, which lifeguards keep inside hip packs.
What Are Lifeguard Hip Packs and Why Do You Need Them?
Hip packs are small bags that lifeguards wear around their waist while on-duty. They are also known as lifeguard fanny packs. Hip packs are typically designed with a zipper enclosure and snap around the lifeguard's waist via a durable, extendable belt. The bottom and sides of the pack have built-in drain holes, so water can escape and the inside of the pack can dry quickly. Hip packs are usually red, blue or another solid color, so they are easy to spot. Many are labeled with words like "guard" or "lifeguard," so they can help swimmers recognize lifeguards if they need help. You can customize some of them with your logo or branding.
Lifeguard hip packs house some of a guard's most important items, from lifesaving tools to personal belongings that help them stay comfortable. By securing the hip pack to their body, the things inside are easy to access during high-pressure situations or when away from the lifeguard stand — but exactly what is in a lifeguard fanny pack?
What Is in a Lifeguard Hip Pack?
Lifeguard hip packs vary in size and number of pockets, but a standard sized pack is designed with enough room to store all of a lifeguard's most important supplies. A lifeguard fanny pack should include the following items:
- Gloves: Lifeguards use nitrile gloves for many purposes. For example, a lifeguard may wear gloves when treating pool water with chlorine or chemicals to avoid contact. They will also wear gloves when transporting and handling injured swimmers to minimize the chance of coming into contact with blood, sweat and other body fluids. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and makes clean-up easier. Public pools, water parks and other swimming spots will likely have an on-site supply of gloves, but a lifeguard should always have at least one pair in their hip pack at all times.
- First aid essentials: A lifeguard's first-aid kit is one of their most important rescue resources, as it contains everything needed to treat a variety of wounds and injuries, including stick-adhesive bandages, gauze bandages, antiseptic wipes, insect sting-relief creams or wipes, antibiotic cream, pain-relieving medication, adhesive tape and more. Many lifeguards use a small, waterproof first-aid bag to keep all supplies together inside their hip packs.
- A pocket mask: When an injured swimmer requires immediate care, a CPR mask must be easily accessible. Pocket CPR masks are usually soft and flexible, so they can fit easily inside a hip pack and conform to the shape and size of the swimmer's face. Lifeguards may also use their hip pack to store disinfectant wipes and mask cleaning cloths.
- A backup whistle: Lifeguards keep their primary whistles on a lanyard around the neck. However, you might consider investing in a backup whistle and lanyard and keeping them inside your lifeguard fanny pack in case yours gets lost or damaged during a rescue.
- Sunglasses: If you don't have lifeguard croakies to keep your sunglasses attached to your neck, your hip pack is a dry, secure place to store them when not in use.
- Sunscreen: All lifeguards should apply a water-resistant, high SPF sunscreen before and during their shifts at regular intervals. Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn, as well as premature skin aging and potential skin damage. Keep a small bottle of sunscreen in your hip pack so you can apply it when you're on the go.
- Tissues or paper towels: Some people react negatively to high-chlorine pools, and nose bleeds are a common side effect. To keep blood out of the pool water and away from other swimmers, keep a small wad of tissues or paper towels in a waterproof bag inside your lifeguard hip pack.
Some lifeguards also use hip packs to store personal items, like a small towel, a cellphone, cash for the concession stand or lip balm. You could also store your goggles, earplugs and a small bottle of lotion to keep your hands and skin from getting too dry. To keep items safe, many lifeguards choose to first place them in compact waterproof bags or a Seal Rite Belt Pack before securing them inside their hip packs. Should a lifeguard need to enter the water while wearing their hip pack, these waterproof bags mean they don't have to worry about damaging the items inside.
The Lifeguard Store Has All Your Hip Pack Essentials
When a swimmer is injured, every second is important. Whether you're a coastal lifeguard, work at a public pool or oversee operations at a water park, a hip pack is the best way to ensure your tools and supplies are ready and accessible when you need them. The Lifeguard Store has everything you need for your hip pack, as well as other lifeguarding essentials like swimwear, guard apparel, rescue equipment and more.
In addition to our abundant selection of high-quality products, you will also enjoy:
- Low flat rate and free shipping on orders over $75 with speedy processing and delivery times.
- A customer satisfaction price guarantee.
- A hassle-free process for returns and exchanges.
- Access to our knowledgeable customer service representatives via telephone and email.
- Peace of mind, knowing our products are durable and reliable.
Browse our online selection of lifeguard must-haves and facility equipment.
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