General Sessions

Built for Deep Water:  Resilience Under Pressure

• Physical emergency preparedness is only half the equation. This session equips aquatic leaders across pool, waterpark, and beach environments with the resilience skills and psychological protective frameworks that reduce the impact of critical incident stress before it occurs. We will introduce the PR6 resilience model - touching on each of its six domains - and explore practical stress management strategies applicable to the real demands of aquatic environments. Attendees will also learn about structured training pathways proven to protect lifeguard mental health and build lasting resilience culture at the facility level.

AOAP Directors School

• Critical Incident Stress Management Overview for Aquatic Leaders, Lifeguards and aquatic management teams have long faced stressful work environments. In addition to cumulative daily stress, lifeguards and allied support staff may be regularly exposed to traumatic events and life-threatening situations that can take a toll on mental health. This presentation introduces concepts to help aquatics organizations better prepare lifeguard teams for the darker realities of the profession. Come review common methods first responders use to combat stress in the workplace. Learn steps you can take to help mitigate this stress with your team and when to engage appropriate outside resources when a critical incident does occur. This presentation will help aquatics professionals, health & regulatory officials and those who supervise aquatic facilities understand mental health resources that should be available to lifeguards and aquatic management in the aftermath of a critical incident and to coordinate a response using Critical Incident Stress Management resources.