A new strategic alliance between the Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP) and the International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance (ILCIRA) will focus on strengthening mental health and critical incident support for lifeguards and allied aquatic professionals while addressing an often-overlooked aspect of aquatic safety: the psychological impact of potentially traumatic events.
The alliance combines AOAP’s leadership in aquatic education, operations and professional development with ILCIRA’s specialized expertise in critical incident stress management, peer support and responder mental health. Together, the organizations will collaborate to expand access to training, resources and best practices that help aquatic professionals prepare for, respond to and recover from high-impact incidents while advancing professional standards that prioritize responder wellness.
“At AOAP, safety has always meant more than just policies and procedures—it means caring for the people who serve on the front lines,” said AOAP Executive Director and CEO Juliene Hefter. “This alliance with ILCIRA allows us to elevate an often-overlooked aspect of aquatic safety: the mental and emotional well-being of lifeguards and responders following critical incidents.”
Tyler Anderson, president of ILCIRA, emphasized the need for a shift in how the industry views the aftermath of a rescue and how best to prepare staff for these events. “For too long, the aquatic industry has focused almost exclusively on the physical skills of rescue, while neglecting the internal aftermath those rescues leave behind. By adopting response frameworks consistent with internationally recognized emergency service standards, we are ensuring that lifeguards are no longer expected to ‘just get over’ a traumatic event. Our alliance with AOAP is a pivotal step in treating aquatic professionals with the same respect and psychological safeguards as any other first responder.”
At their core, AOAP and ILCIRA are united by the belief that caring for communities begins with caring for the professionals who serve them. This strategic alliance reflects a shared commitment to elevating aquatic safety beyond policies and procedures by normalizing support, reducing stigma, and integrating resilience training into professional development pathways. By doing so, the organizations acknowledge that lifeguards and aquatic professionals are first responders who carry the emotional weight of their work long after an incident ends and deserve resources to manage that burden.
This strategic alliance reflects a shared commitment to advancing professional standards, reducing stigma around stress and trauma, and ensuring aquatic professionals are supported throughout their careers while fostering a culture of preparedness and recovery that strengthens today’s aquatics workforce while safeguarding its future.