Beach safety has always been one of the prerogatives of the SNSM . For 50 years, the lifeguard branch has been part of the French lifeguard tradition. Today, 1/3 of French beaches are under the supervision of SNSM lifeguards. They are called upon by the mayors of the municipalities who are legally responsible for the safety of bathers and beach equipment users in the 300-meter zone beyond the shoreline.
A high level training to become a lifeguard
Every year, young lifeguards, aged 18 to 25, undergo 300 to 400 hours of training in one of the 32 CFI (Training and Intervention Center). Supervised by 800 volunteer trainers, they complete numerous tests. Indeed, the required skill levels are very high and exceed the regulatory requirements.
First of all, three swimming events allow to prove the excellent level of the candidates:
- Swimming on the surface and in immersion with and without fins in very selective times
- Diving to retrieve a dummy from the bottom of the pool
- Rescue of a person simulating a distress situation.
In spite of the good level of swimming of the candidates âeuros they generally practice in club âeuros they must train long and hard to obtain the diploma of the BNSSA (Brevet National de Sécurité et de Sauvetage Aquatique). In addition to this, they have to obtain a first aid diploma, specific to the SNSM. Finally, the coastal license, which allows you to pilot inflatable boats or jet skis, is essential. Amplified training sessions are organized on each boat.
The mooring course, specific to the SNSM, will allow to evaluate the applicants in natural environment. Only 75% obtain all the necessary certificates.
Distribution of lifeguards on the beaches
There are 1,400 lifeguards who will be distributed on the 270 beaches assigned to the SNSM by the mayors. The dispatching is long since it is necessary to take into account their level of experience (first year or not), the qualification " ocean "This is the result of a study conducted by the University of Montreal and the wishes of the individual lifeguards for the most difficult beaches.
Missions of protection of the holiday makers
The lifeguard is employed by the city hall by a seasonal contract and is thus a municipal employee. They are housed and fed by the town halls of each city. On the beaches, they have to supervise the bodies of water they are responsible for and be prepared for technically, physically and psychologically difficult interventions. Among their missions they will also manage the " bobology this is a "small wound care" program.
