- Categories:
- Appreciation
- Tags:
- CareersSafety
- Where:
- International
- Date change rule:
- Every July 31
- Holiday emoji:
- 🏊♀️
Lifeguard Appreciation Day arrives every July 31, celebrating the dedicated professionals who keep our pools and beaches safe. These vigilant heroes prevent injuries and perform life-saving rescues daily. Take a moment to acknowledge their crucial work, share stories of their impact, and support water safety initiatives.
Want to sponsor Lifeguard Appreciation Day? Learn how
History of Lifeguard Appreciation Day
The first celebration of Lifeguard Appreciation Day was in 2020. Ellis & Associates, an organization that focuses on aquatic safety and risk management, founded the day on July 31, 2020, to increase appreciation and awareness about the relentless efforts of lifeguards in making pool facilities safe for its users.
The lifeguard profession became a necessity as a result of the increasing deaths and injuries recorded in aquatic facilities more than a century ago. Swimming became popular in 19th century America, where recreational facilities sprung up everywhere. But the more they opened the more drowning incidents took place in those facilities. Around 9,000 people reportedly drown yearly. To curtail these accidents, resorts installed lifelines in their pools but unfortunately, they were either too difficult to grab by users or not seen quickly enough. Although a rescue board was installed thereafter, it still didn’t adequately serve its purpose.
As efforts to reduce the frequency of drowning increased, some communities employed Police officers to serve as rescue teams at aquatic facilities. This measure, however, brought a decline in the number of law enforcement agents being present where needed. Subsequently, local governments decided to hire experts trained in water rescues. The word ‘lifeguard’ eventually became associated with these men and in 1912, the Young Men’s Christian Association organized a lifesaving service to prevent drowning incidences. Two years later in 1914, the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps was founded to train swimmers in saving lives and giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (C.P.R.) The trained swimmers were deployed to their local communities to serve as lifeguards. Devices were also developed to help save drowning victims. An example of this is the famous rescue tube invented by Pete Peterson in 1935. Today, almost all recreational facilities and beaches employ the services of various lifeguards who collectively work to bring the levels of drowning incidents down to the bare minimum.
Lifeguard Appreciation Day timeline
Captain Henry Sheffield invents the rescue can, a predecessor of the rescue buoy.
The Young Men's Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.) organizes lifesaving services.
The American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps is established to train swimmers in lifesaving and C.P.R.
Duke Kahanamoku rescues over 10 people from drowning using only his surfboard.
The rescue tube, popularly known as the Peterson Tube, is designed by Pete Peterson.
The technique is adopted to save drowning victims.
International Lifeguard Appreciation Day is first organized by Ellis & Associates.
Lifeguard Appreciation Day FAQs
When is Lifeguard Appreciation Day?
Lifeguard Appreciation Day 2026 is observed on Friday, July 31. It’s a key date to acknowledge the vigilance and life-saving efforts of these essential water safety professionals.
How many lives do lifeguards save each year?
According to the American Red Cross, lifeguards in the U.S. make approximately 10,000 rescues from drowning yearly. This impressive figure highlights their constant vigilance and rapid response capabilities.
What training do lifeguards undergo?
Lifeguards undergo rigorous training that typically includes CPR, first aid, AED use, and advanced water rescue techniques. Certifications from organizations like the American Red Cross or YMCA are standard, ensuring they are prepared for emergencies.
What is the history of lifeguarding?
Organized lifeguarding began in the 19th century, evolving from informal rescue efforts to structured services. Early efforts focused on coastal areas, with formal training and equipment developing over time to enhance water safety.
How to Observe Lifeguard Appreciation Day
Show gratitude toward lifeguards
Celebrate the event by verbally expressing how grateful you are to any lifeguard you know at aquatic facilities or beaches. They’ll appreciate it.
Give them a gift
Another way to mark the day is to give gifts to lifeguards. This is a great way to show how much you appreciate them.
Organize a party for them
If you can afford it, throw a mini party for the lifeguards you know. Ask them to come along with their colleagues.
5 Scary Facts About Drowning
It’s fast and silent
Drowning happens so quickly that by the time a potential rescuer gets to the victim, it’s too late.
The leading cause of unintentional deaths
Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional deaths in the world.
It causes hundreds of thousands of deaths
An estimated 300,000 deaths are caused by drowning around the world annually.
Children and male adults are prone
Children aged one to nine and male adults are most at risk of drowning.
No one is drown-proof
Everyone is susceptible to drowning, regardless of gender or age.
Why Lifeguard Appreciation Day is Important
Honorable services are worth appreciating
All professions need to be appreciated. However, honorable ones like the lifeguard profession deserve to be celebrated.
It lifts lifeguards' spirits
People tend to do more in their jobs when they are appreciated. International Lifeguard Appreciation Day encourages lifeguards to put their all into their profession.
It creates relationships
The day makes it possible for lifeguards and guests at aquatic facilities or beaches to become friends. We think that’s really special.
