Name
An engaging, fast-paced training game for lifeguards and aquatic staff, designed to simulate real-life first aid situations in a competitive group setting.
Core Skill
This module strengthens staff competencies in:
- Recognizing and responding to various medical emergencies
- Applying correct treatment protocols swiftly and accurately
- Communicating effectively and adhering to standardized procedures (e.g., SAMPLE acronym)
Who
This training involves the following roles:
figure class="wp-block-table">table class="has-fixed-layout">thead>tr>th>Role/th>th>Description/th>/tr>/thead>tbody>tr>td>Training Leader/td>td>Facilitates the entire activity, holds the scenario cards, sets up rounds/td>/tr>tr>td>Judges (1 per team)/td>td>Observes the responder's actions, tracks time, enforces penalties/td>/tr>tr>td>Groups (2+ teams)/td>td>4–6 participants per team; at least three teams for ideal competition/td>/tr>tr>td>P.I.P.s (Patrons in Peril)/td>td>Actors from each team who simulate emergencies based on the cards/td>/tr>tr>td>First Aid Responders/td>td>Designated from each team to assess and treat the assigned P.I.P./td>/tr>/tbody>/table>/figure>
What
Each round follows these key steps:
- Training Leader draws a card with a first aid scenario based on your facility's training standard(Suggested: <a href="https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Training_Supplies/FA_CPR_AED_Manual.pdf">American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Participant's Manual – PDF</a>)
- P.I.P.s receive their role and prepare to act it out authentically
- At “Go!”, each P.I.P. returns to their team for responders to identify and treat the emergency
- Judges track time and monitor for accuracy, infractions, and penalties
- Lowest cumulative team time after 4+ rounds wins
How
Preparation
- Gather training cards with realistic first aid scenarios (aligned to Red Cross or your preferred curriculum)
- Divide staff into 3+ teams of 4–6 participants
- Assign one judge to each team
Setup Instructions
- Each card represents a condition aligned with your facility's training standard (e.g., stroke, asthma, bleeding)
- 4–6 people per team; aim for 3+ teams total
- Judges must understand correct treatment criteria and protocol infractions
Gameplay Flow
- Each team selects one member to serve as the P.I.P. for the round.
- P.I.P.s walk to the Training Leader, away from their teams.
- Training Leader randomly selects a scenario card and privately briefs each P.I.P. on how to act it out (e.g., stroke: droopy face, slurred speech, weak arm).
- Upon instruction, the Training Leader shouts “Go!”
- P.I.P.s race back to their respective teams.
- First Aid Responder must:
- Introduce themselves
- Ask permission to treat
- Follow the SAMPLE acronym
- Assess and identify the ailment
- Apply correct treatment per standards
- Discreetly simulate calling 911 if required
- Judges:
- Start timer at “Go”
- Stop timer when correct treatment is completed
- Add 10 seconds for each error or infraction
Infractions & Penalties
- Not introducing self and asking permission to treat
- Not following SAMPLE acronym
- Failing to discreetly simulate calling 911 (if needed)
- Misidentifying the issue
- Applying incorrect treatment
- Inaccurate acting of symptoms
- Providing hints or clues to responder
- Not cooperating or acting disengaged
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
Training Leaders and Judges should anticipate and proactively address these challenges:
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