Kikilias awarded the lifeguard Sofia Kaspiri – The high sense of responsibility she showed at sea
Sofia Kaspiri was honored by the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilia, for the exceptional composure, professionalism and high sense of responsibility she demonstrated on July 3, 2026, on the beach of Avythos, Kefalonia
The lifeguard, Sofia Kaspiri, was awarded by the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, in whose person all the lifeguards who selflessly…
American Lifeguard Association Highlights Critical Summer Water Safety Tips
As families across the United States head to pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches this summer, the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is encouraging everyone to review essential water safety practices before entering the water.
A newly published article by Everyday Health, “11 Swimming Safety Tips to Follow This Summer,” features extensive guidance from Bernard J. Fisher II, Director of Health and Safety for the American Lifeguard Association. The article reinforces many of the proven drowning-prevention strategies promoted by the ALA for decades.
Read the full Everyday Health article here:
Experts share their advice for staying safe at the beach and pool. Check it out to keep yourself and your family out of harm’s way.
Approximately 4,000 people die from drowning each year in the United States, while thousands more are treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal drowning injuries. Young children remain among those at greatest risk. However, the American Lifeguard Association emphasizes that most drowning incidents are preventable when families follow basic safety practices and maintain proper supervision.
“Drownings are preventable, and active supervision is one of the most important rules of water safety,” said Bernard J. Fisher II. “Parents and caregivers must remain attentive whenever children are in or near the water.”
The ALA reminds families that the presence of a lifeguard does not remove the responsibility of parents, guardians, or other supervising adults.
“A lifeguard is not a babysitter,” Fisher said. “Lifeguards are responsible for monitoring an entire aquatic area and responding to emergencies. Parents and caregivers must continue to closely supervise their own children, even when a trained lifeguard is present.”
The strongest layers of drowning prevention include active adult supervision, swimming where lifeguards are on duty, never swimming alone, learning to swim at the earliest appropriate age, and using properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when necessary.
Before visiting a pool, beach, or lake, families should confirm whether lifeguards will be present and review any posted warnings or swimming restrictions.
“Choosing a guarded swimming location is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce risk,” Fisher explained. “However, supervision must remain constant. Adults should never assume that someone else is watching.”
The ALA recommends assigning a dedicated “Water Watcher” whenever children or inexperienced swimmers are in or near the water.
“A Water Watcher has one job: watch the swimmers,” Fisher said. “That means no phone, no alcohol, no side conversations, and no distractions until another responsible adult officially takes over.”
For young children and weak swimmers, supervision means remaining within arm’s reach—not watching from across the pool, from a lounge chair, or through a window.
The ALA also warns families not to rely on water wings, pool noodles, inflatable toys, or other recreational flotation products as drowning-prevention devices. These products can fail, float away, or create a false sense of security.
At beaches, swimmers should also understand the danger of rip currents.
“Rip currents do not pull swimmers underwater—they pull them away from shore,” Fisher said. “Stay calm, signal for help, conserve energy, and swim parallel to the shoreline until you are outside the current.”
The American Lifeguard Association continues to promote water safety education, professional lifeguard training, swimming instruction, and public awareness to reduce preventable drownings nationwide.
“Lifeguards provide an essential layer of protection, but water safety is a shared responsibility,” Fisher added. “Proper supervision, swimming ability, trained lifeguards, and informed decision-making save lives.”
A recent article published by the Italian news publication EduNews24 has brought renewed international attention to a simple but important aspect of water safety: the color of a swimmer's swimsuit. Published on June 30, 2026, the article examined testing conducted by Alive Solutions, which evaluated the underwater visibility of 14 different swimsuit colors in both swimming pools and natural bodies of water.
The testing concluded that fluorescent orange, fluorescent yellow, and neon green consistently provided the greatest underwater visibility, while white, light blue, gray, black, and dark blue often blended into the water or pool floor, making swimmers significantly more difficult to detect. The article also referenced the American Lifeguard Association's longstanding recommendations regarding the use of highly visible swimwear as an additional layer of water safety.
The American Lifeguard Association has consistently encouraged swimmers and families to consider visibility when selecting swimwear. While no swimsuit color can prevent a drowning incident, choosing bright, high-visibility colors may help lifeguards, parents, instructors, and other bystanders recognize a swimmer in distress more quickly. In an emergency, every second matters, and improving visual recognition can contribute to a faster rescue response.
Contrary to what is often portrayed in television and movies, drowning is usually silent. Victims rarely have the opportunity to wave or call for help. Instead, they may quietly slip beneath the surface with little warning. When a swimmer is wearing colors that closely resemble the surrounding water or the bottom of a swimming pool, valuable seconds can be lost simply trying to locate them.
The Alive Solutions testing demonstrated that fluorescent orange, yellow, and neon green maintained excellent visibility in a variety of aquatic environments, including pools with both light and dark bottoms as well as lakes with reduced water clarity. Bright pink and fuchsia also performed well in clear swimming pools but became much less visible in murky natural water. Meanwhile, white, light blue, gray, black, and darker shades consistently ranked among the least visible colors under many conditions.
The American Lifeguard Association believes swimsuit color should never be viewed as a substitute for proper water safety practices. Instead, it should be considered one component of a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy. The most effective protection continues to include constant, attentive supervision, learning to swim, properly maintained pool barriers, qualified lifeguards, emergency preparedness, and the appropriate use of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when necessary.
The EduNews24 article also cited data from Italy's National Institute of Health showing that approximately 342 people drown annually in Italy, including roughly 41 individuals under the age of 19. The report further noted that nearly half of pediatric drowning incidents occur in swimming pools, reinforcing the importance of continuous supervision regardless of swimming ability or location.
Whether enjoying a neighborhood pool, a community aquatic center, a lake, a river, or the ocean, selecting brightly colored swimwear is an inexpensive decision that may improve visibility when every moment counts. Although no single measure can eliminate the risk of drowning, combining high-visibility swimwear with proven water safety practices creates another valuable layer of protection.
The American Lifeguard Association encourages families, aquatic facilities, swim instructors, camp operators, and waterpark managers to educate swimmers about the importance of swimsuit visibility. Small decisions made before entering the water can have a meaningful impact during an emergency. By combining visible swimwear with vigilant supervision, qualified lifeguards, swimming education, and established safety practices, communities can continue working together to reduce drowning incidents and make aquatic environments safer for swimmers of all ages.
American Lifeguard Association Highlights Sneaker Wave Dangers During ABC Good Morning America Interview
The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) appeared on ABC's Good Morning America today to discuss one of the most overlooked hazards along our nation's coastlines: sneaker waves. The interview comes at a time when beach attendance is increasing for the summer season and following several recent incidents involving individuals unexpectedly swept into the ocean by these powerful waves.
Sneaker waves are unusually large waves that can surge far beyond the normal shoreline without warning. Unlike rip currents or storm-driven surf, sneaker waves often occur after extended periods of calm water, creating a false sense of security for beachgoers. A beach may appear completely safe for several minutes before a sudden wave rushes up the shoreline, knocking people off their feet and dragging them into deeper water.
The dangers of sneaker waves were highlighted recently when a mother and her daughter were critically injured after being swept into the Pacific Ocean by a sneaker wave at a California beach. Emergency responders noted that the wave struck unexpectedly, pulling the victims far into the water despite seemingly calm conditions moments earlier.
During the interview, the American Lifeguard Association emphasized that one of the greatest risks associated with sneaker waves is their unpredictability. Many victims are not swimming when incidents occur. Instead, they are often walking near the water's edge, standing on rocks, taking photographs, fishing, or simply enjoying the scenery when a powerful wave suddenly arrives.
The ALA reminded viewers that the safest place to enjoy the beach is in areas protected by lifeguards. Statistics consistently demonstrate that the chance of drowning at a beach protected by professional lifeguards is extremely low. Lifeguards are trained to recognize hazardous ocean conditions, monitor changing surf patterns, and respond immediately when emergencies occur.
To reduce the risk of injury from sneaker waves, the American Lifeguard Association recommends several important safety measures:
Never turn your back on the ocean.
Stay well away from rocks, jetties, and steep shorelines.
Keep children within arm's reach near the water.
Observe posted warnings and beach advisories.
Avoid standing on driftwood or large logs that can be moved by incoming waves.
Swim only at beaches protected by lifeguards.
The ALA also stressed the importance of public education. Many visitors from inland communities may be unfamiliar with coastal hazards and may not recognize the warning signs associated with dangerous surf conditions. Increased awareness can help prevent tragedies before they occur.
As millions of Americans head to beaches this summer, the American Lifeguard Association encourages everyone to make water safety a priority. A day at the beach should be enjoyable, but it only takes a single unexpected wave to change lives forever.
Through education, vigilance, and respect for the power of the ocean, beachgoers can significantly reduce their risk and help ensure a safe and memorable summer season for themselves and their families.
