John King
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 23/06) - Stepping into the pool area at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex in Inuvik is like walking along a beach somewhere in the Caribbean.

Okay, maybe not quite like a beach in the Caribbean, but the air is warm and there are palm trees scattered around the swimming pool.

Stephanie Hendry, front, and Coralee Spencer are lifeguards at the Midnight Sun Recreation Centre swimming pool in Inuvik. - John King/NNSL photo

All was quiet as lifeguards Stephanie Hendry and Coralee Spencer got ready for the day's activities on Jan. 13.

"We start by prepping the pool by making sure the water is okay," Hendry said.

The chemicals in the water must be balanced, explains Spencer, before people can swim in the pool.

"There needs to be enough chlorine in the pool, which is 1.5ppm (parts per million)," said Spencer.

The lifeguards must also check the ph balance of the pool as well, adds Hendry.

"The ph is the acid-base scale, so if the pool is too acidic that's when the water will burn your eyes or skin," Spencer said.

The perfect ph balance is 7.5, says Hendry.

In order to become lifeguards, Hendry and Spencer, had to go through a tough round of certification.

"First you must take your bronze medallion, then the next step is to take the bronze cross," said Spencer.

From there, lifeguards take their CPR and standard first aid before being qualified to take their National Lifeguard Service award (NLS).

The NSL is the last in the battery of courses swimmers must take before becoming certified lifeguards.

There are hazards to being a lifeguard, attest the pair.

During a public swim, lifeguards are on the constant vigil for potential accidents.

"This is when we do most of our life-guarding," said Spencer. "We scan the pool, perform head counts and do a lot of PR work."