I have been a lifeguard for a little over four years and am currently employed at the Elam Center pool. Over the course of my lifeguarding experience, I have had to save a total of 10 people. Eight of these individuals happened to be swimming at the Elam Center Pool.

The particular cases I mention involved a squad of gear laden ROTC members. I am also a qualified swim instructor and have been teaching little kids how to swim for the past three years. One of these years, I taught three classes with other qaualified lifeguards at the Elam Center. Three days of the week I turn in my rescue tube to be the coach of the Martin Sharks Swim Team (Yes thats right, Martin has a swim team).

I help these kids on the team to become better, faster and more energy efficient swimmers.

Last November I traveled with three other lifeguards (two of them still employed at the Elam Center) to compete in a statewide lifeguarding competition. We beat out six other teams to bring home the first place trophy..

Besides the above, I am currently training to become a lifeguard instructor. Every other week we have to swim 500 yds. in under 12 minutes. I guarantee not just anyone can come off the street and swim 500 yds. in under 12 minutes, it is not as easy as it might sound.

Once a month we also have lifeguarding inservices to brush up on our various lifeguarding skills. I work with a group of capable and competent lifeguards who are prepared to save your life in almost any water emergency.

The incident that occured on Mon., Jan. 13 with Ms. Beno was either a fluke or was not acting as though she was in any urgent life threatening situation while she was in the water.

Obviously, she was not hurt bad enough to cry out for help to any of the lifeguards, and to my knowledge, did not bother to tell any of the guards on duty of her dire need, nor did she try to file a complaint with a supervisor on duty.

The point I am trying to make is that despite what Ms. Beno says, you have nothing to fear while in the Elam Center pool. If anyone is interested in learning how to swim the correct way, (without getting cramps), and you’re 21 or under, you can come see me at a swim practice on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m.

Last I checked, the water over there was 87 degrees, so if you are looking for some warm water to get some exercise I encourage everyone to go take a dip in the pool that your tuition helps keep running.

Kit Crawford is a sophomore Philosophy and History major from Chapel Hill.