Why must lifeguards consider the safety of competitive swimmers during practice?

Lifeguards must prioritize the safety of competitive swimmers during practice because even highly trained athletes can experience medical emergencies. Competitive swimmers are pushing their limits and engaging in strenuous physical activity, which can lead to a variety of health issues such as dehydration, exhaustion, or cardiac events, even in the best-conditioned individuals. Therefore, it is essential for lifeguards to remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any unforeseen incidents, ensuring that these athletes remain safe while they train.

The other considerations, while relevant in specific contexts, do not encompass the full scope of safety concerns. For instance, competitive swimmers are indeed trained to swim effectively, but this does not eliminate the need for supervision. Similarly, while being trained might reduce some risks, it does not eliminate the possibility of emergencies. Lastly, while breaks during practice might be structured in a particular way, this does not circumscribe the need for safety monitoring.