If you head to your local pool or beach this Fourth of July weekend, don’t be surprised to find that it’s closed. We studied the issues behind the lifeguard shortage. In many ways, it’s a perfect storm of different factors.
If you head to your local pool or beach this Fourth of July weekend, don’t be surprised to find that it’s closed: A lifeguard shortage of epic proportions is playing havoc with that sacred summer ritual of going for a swim.
What’s behind this shortage? MarketWatch studied the issues and spoke with representatives from the American Lifeguard Association, and found a number of contributing causes. In many ways, it’s a perfect storm of different factors — each alone is significant enough, but together they make for a major problem. And it’s one that can result in the loss of lives, given that nearly 4,000 Americans die each year from drowning.
The problem finding help from abroad Americans have long relied on young workers from overseas to fill summer positions, particularly through special short-term visa programs. And that’s how many seasonal lifeguards got hired, Fisher says. But the issue has been complicated by the fact the visa programs were suspended for a period under the Trump administration –– in effect, it put an end to what was once a steady pipeline.
Some locales are increasing rates and offering hiring incentives to combat the problem. New York State recently announced it was raising salaries for lifeguards working in upstate beaches and pools by 34% to $20 per hour.
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