International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance

12/27/2025

For many lifeguards, the holidays can feel heavy — especially if this is your first season without someone you love. Grief doesn’t pause just because things are supposed to feel festive.

💬 Talk About Them
It’s okay to say their name and share a memory. Keeping their presence alive can bring comfort.

💛 Expect Big Feelings
Strong emotions aren’t weakness — they’re love. Let yourself feel what you feel.

🌟 Honor Them in a Small Way
Start a simple tradition or ritual in their memory. It doesn’t have to be big to matter.

Grief doesn’t follow a schedule. Be gentle with yourself this season — you’re carrying a lot, and you’re not alone.

12/24/2025

12/23/2025

The holiday season can intensify feelings of pressure—especially for those navigating substance use challenges. These feelings are more common than many realize. Visit samhsa.gov/find-help to learn how to support yourself or a loved one who may be struggling.

12/23/2025

For many lifeguards, the holidays come with long shifts, schedule changes, extra events, and the emotional weight that can show up this time of year. Add in richer meals and treats, and your body can feel the impact.

A few simple habits can help you stay grounded, steady, and ready — on and off the stand.

💧 Stay Hydrated
Long days on deck or in dry, heated air can sneak up on you. Keep water with you, refill often, and add lemon or electrolytes if that helps you stay consistent.

🚶‍♂️ Move After Meals
After holiday gatherings, even a short walk, a lap around the block, or taking the dog out supports digestion and helps reset your energy — especially if you’ve been sitting or traveling.

🥗 Balance When You Can
If you know a big meal or celebration is coming, fuel earlier in the day with something lighter but steady: eggs, yogurt and fruit, oatmeal, or a quick salad. Small choices help keep your body regulated through a busy week.

🍪 Mindful Indulgence
Enjoy the fun foods! Try smaller portions of multiple desserts so you get to experience everything without feeling weighed down later on deck.

🍷 Alcohol Awareness
If you choose to drink, hydrate between drinks, eat based on hunger (not pressure), and give yourself space to reset. Your body — and your emotional capacity — will thank you the next day.

😴 Protect Your Sleep
Whether you’re on break or picking up extra hours, even going to bed an hour earlier can help with physical recovery and emotional regulation.

At ILCIRA, we remind lifeguards and aquatic teams that taking care of your body isn’t about restriction — it’s about giving yourself what you need to feel steady, supported, and ready for what matters most.

You deserve to enjoy the season and feel good doing it.

12/23/2025

Need a few new reframes that can support lifeguards and aquatic staff? Try these!

💬 “I can feel this and still move forward.”
💬 “I don’t have to tackle everything today.”
💬 “This moment is temporary.”

Small perspective shifts can make a big difference—especially in a role that carries so much responsibility.

12/19/2025

If the week has felt heavy, try a quick reset:

1️⃣ Name what you’re feeling.
2️⃣ Reframe the thought to something more accurate or supportive.
3️⃣ Pick one small, doable next step.

12/18/2025

Hundreds of swimmers at Bondi have formed human circles - in the beach and in the ocean - in honour of the victims of Sunday’s attack. Bondi is known for its early morning swimmers and surfers, but many have not returned to the water since Sunday’s horrific events.

Today, two swimming clubs, the Great White Swim Club and Bondi Fairy Penguins, organised an event in honour of the 15 people who lost their lives, and in solidarity with the Jewish community. They held a minute’s silence on the beach, before swimming out to form human circles in the ocean.

Bondi Fairy Penguins committee member Sarah Davies said the groups felt like it was “the right thing to do”.

“We felt that it was important for the community to come together and also for us to show support to people who were affected … particularly the Jewish community.”

A steady stream of people filtered down the beach as the sun rose over Bondi. Eventually, hundreds formed a circle several rows deep formed, as swimmers linked arms, lowered their heads in reflection, and exchanged hugs before running into the surf.

From the beach, the spray from an enormous human circle could be seen in the water. Swimmers also came out to thank first responders, including local life savers. They gathered in front of the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, which is still inside police tape in the cordoned-off area.

Photo by Blake Sharp-Wiggins

12/18/2025

We’re sharing more first hand experiences from participants of our recent training on critical incidence response.

Thank you to the team at Ellis and Associates and P:23 Consulting who joined us! We’re looking forward to more work like this in 2026!

12/17/2025

Some weeks just stack up. Long shifts, tough interactions, emotional load, and everything else that comes with working in a high-responsibility role. Even the most experienced lifeguards can feel drained.

Reframing—looking at a situation from a different angle—can help regulate emotions and break the cycle of overwhelm.

Try asking yourself:
What’s actually happening right now?
Is this stress, or the story I’m telling myself about it?
What’s one small thing I can control or do next?

12/16/2025

Members of ILCIRAs Aquatic Critical Incident Response Leadership Team participated in the multi-day LivingWorks Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training this week.

LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training) is the world’s leading su***de intervention workshop—training over 100,000 people every year to recognize and respond to those at risk. Recognized as a Gold Standard curriculum, ASIST equips clinicians, medical professionals, crisis interventionists, and peer supporters with practical, life-saving skills to build safer communities. 🌍💙

***dePrevention

12/15/2025

Support ILCIRA in 2026! Your donation helps ILCIRA provide training, programs, and support for aquatic professionals to stay safe, resilient, and mentally well.

Your support helps ILCIRA provide lifeguards and aquatic staff with training for high-pressure situations and tools to support mental wellness. It also funds program development, including webinars and peer support networks for first responders, and supports advocacy and outreach efforts that raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage seeking help.

There are several ways to donate, for individual supporters consider a tax-deductible donation:
💙 Friend of ILCIRA – $500+ → Pin, recognition, social media thank-you
💧 Individual Supporter – $50+ → Sticker

Businesses or brands interested in sponsoring? Email us to connect!

👉 Donate: ilcira.org