What is the main responsibility of a lifeguard during a severe injury?

The main responsibility of a lifeguard during a severe injury is to call for emergency medical services. This action is crucial because, in the case of a severe injury, the lifeguard must ensure that professional medical help is on the way as quickly as possible. While lifeguards are trained in first aid and CPR, and may provide initial care to stabilize the victim, alerting emergency services is paramount for obtaining the specialized help needed for severe injuries. This often includes securing advanced medical interventions that go beyond what a lifeguard can provide.

In addition to their initial response, calling for emergency services also enables the lifeguard to focus on the immediate needs of the injured person while ensuring that help is on the way, thereby fulfilling their primary duty of safeguarding lives. The other tasks, although important, are secondary to the need for professional emergency medical intervention in cases of severe injury.