What should be done if the Heat Index exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit?

When the Heat Index exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit, it is essential to implement safety measures to protect both lifeguards and patrons from heat-related illnesses. The correct action in this situation is to adjust the safety breaks to 10-minute intervals every hour. This helps ensure that lifeguards have regular opportunities to cool down and hydrate, reducing the risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Frequent breaks allow lifeguards to manage their own health effectively while remaining vigilant and ready to respond to any emergency.

Increasing surveillance is important during high-temperature conditions; however, it should not come at the expense of lifeguard safety. Simply adding more lifeguards does not directly address the immediate dangers posed by extreme heat. Stopping swimming for the day could be a precaution in some cases, but it may not be necessary if appropriate heat management strategies, such as more frequent safety breaks, are implemented. Therefore, changing the duration of safety breaks provides a practical and immediate solution to cope with high heat index levels.