Lifeguards are essential to maintaining a safe and positive aquatic experience, but even the most skilled lifeguard can only act on what is visible. That’s where Zone Verification Drills come in. Zones of surveillance must be more than diagrams on the wall.  They must be functional spaces where lifeguards can effectively monitor potential issues and respond quickly.

Why Zone Verification Drills Matter

Zone Verification Drills help confirm that lifeguards are well-positioned and adequately supported to perform their duties with confidence. According to the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC), the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC 6.3.3.1.1) requires that each lifeguard must be able to:

• View the entire zone—including the surface, middle, and bottom of the water
• Reach the furthest point of their zone within 20 seconds
• Maintain surveillance of all designated aquatic areas at all times

These standards help ensure that lifeguards are deployed effectively to prevent incidents and respond to hazards and emergencies. It’s also a reminder that setting lifeguard staffing levels based solely on swimmer ratios may not account for key factors, such as glare, water depth, visual obstructions, or unique features.

How and When to Conduct Zone Verification Drills

Zone Verification Drills are not a one-time evaluation; they are a continuous process. They are part of your Safety Plan and overall risk management strategy. Zone Verification Drills should be conducted:

• Before the start of the pool season.
• Whenever new zones are created or existing zones are modified.
• When operations change, a follow-up evaluation may be necessary.
• Different times of day (morning, noon, and evening) to evaluate different lighting conditions.
• During the different activities held at the facility. Competitive swim practice, open swim times, during swim lessons, camp, or rental use, and special events.
• When new team members are hired.

The American Red Cross recommends using a variety of drills to assess and refine surveillance zones.

Visibility (Ask) Drills

Used to verify what a lifeguard can see from their position. These drills involve placing silhouettes, manikins, or specific zone verification devices throughout the zone and confirming whether they are clearly visible. Visibility drills are not performance tests; instead, they assess the zone itself and help identify blind spots caused by layout, lighting, or obstructions.

Live Recognition Drills

Conducted during regular operations, these test the lifeguards’ ability to spot and reach a simulated victim within 30 seconds. They reinforce active surveillance and help identify when additional support or adjustments are needed.

Lifeguard Station Response Time Testing

This evaluation verifies that the safety team can perform the following steps within the following time frames:

1. Recognize and reach the drowning person within 30 seconds.
2. Extricate the drowning person and provide two ventilations within 90 seconds.

If the entire drill takes more than 2 minutes, or either of the steps are not completed within the time frames, modifications to the zone may be necessary.

What to Do With the Results

If a zone does not meet visibility or response time standards, corrective actions must be taken. Consider:

• Modifying the size or shape of the zone
• Adjusting the position of the lifeguard stand
• Using a stand with a different elevation, or a roving guard
• Adding another lifeguard position to break up the zone or to cover blind spots
• Relocating emergency equipment like backboards or emergency bags
• Creating an additional placement area for support staff

Even when zones pass evaluations, the results should be used to proactively to guide staff training and enhance surveillance strategies. As the MAHC notes, documentation of these evaluations should verify that all areas of the zone are visible. If a blind spot cannot be addressed, the zone configuration must be revised.

Empowering Lifeguards Through Thoughtful Zone Design

Well-executed Zone Verification Drills do more than check compliance boxes—they build confidence in your team, support proactive risk management, and contribute to your safety culture. Regular drills help ensure your safety team is well-prepared to respond to emergencies. If it’s been a while since your last zone verification drill, or if you’re unsure whether your current lifeguard zones meet industry standards, don’t wait. Start testing today!

Need support? Counsilman-Hunsaker’s aquatic safety consultants can help your team assess, document, and optimize your surveillance zones. Contact us today to enhance safety and confidence at your facility.