Cold comfort: tips for keeping employees warm and motivated when the mercury drops.(Risk Management)

Summer season has ended and it's time for a well-deserved break. But just when we thought we could relax and recharge our batteries, good ol' Mother Nature brings the nasty cold weather our way.

We have entered the winter season and, for all of us who operate seasonal outdoor pools, the true tests of our lifeguards' loyalty will be revealed. As the wind blows and the rain falls, our poor lifeguards and coaches are dealing with those crazy swimmers who just can't go inside and ride the stationary bike. But, as we always say, water is water.

What to wear while guarding during the winter season is one of the major concerns for lifeguards and their supervisors. We want them to stay warm and dry, but also need them to be able to respond to an emergency and be able to jump in the water if a swimmer is in distress.

Many of our winter guards come straight from classes or other jobs and may not have the ability to bring the "Gorton's Fisherman" rain gear or their snowboarding outfit to work. So what are we, as supervisors, requiring our guards to wear and what are we doing to assist them? Does everyone have the resources to provide gortex jackets and pants? Do we truck in the beach tower and put that on the deck? What do we do during these financially strapped times?

Here are some tried and true answers to the cold weather blues:

* Umbrellas. An extra-large umbrella or overhang will help keep the water off the guards.

* Rubber raincoats. You should provide several good-quality pairs of these. The money invested will be worth it. But avoid the use of the rubber rain pants. It is better to buy the full-length trench coat style rain jacket with a hood. Rain pants are very dangerous if the guard needs to jump in the water. They tend to fill with water.