Levels of Participation
The participants and attendees in the USLSC process have been selected in an effort to assure a sound, unbiased and multi-disciplinary process which allows for open evaluation, critique and consensus. Participant Organizations and Individual Participants (see criteria below) were selected by the Coalition and were issued formal invitations. Observing Organizations (see criteria below) may also be invited in the sole discretion of the Coalition. If your organization was not invited, and you believe your organization meets the criteria and should attend meetings, email us at info@lifeguardstandards.org and include: 1) contact information; 2) a description of your organization; 3) relevance of yourself or your organization to this project; and 4) potential or real conflicts of interest.
Participation Levels
The American Red Cross, the United States Lifesaving Association and the YMCA of the USA have appointed a co-chair for the coalition and will provide additional individuals to support the effort. The co-chairs are:
- Chair: Dr. David Markenson, M.D. (American Red Cross Appointee)
- Co-Chair: Dr. Peter Wernicki, M.D. (United States Lifesaving Association Appointee)
- Co-Chair: Dr. Gerald DeMers, Ph.D. (YMCA of the USA Appointee)
- Fulfills roles through appointment of a co-chair and additional representatives
- Establish process
- Chair the meetings
- Serve as Editors for Final Products
- Participate in Voting and Evidence Review
Participant Organization:
In addition to the co-chairing organizations, several participant organizations will be invited to allow for multi-disciplinary expertise and broad representation in the process. Participant organizations will include:- Not-for-profit national professional or scientific associations relevant to field
- Governmental agencies relevant to field
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Fulfills roles through appointment of a representative
- Attend all meetings
- Participate and complete evidence reviews assigned
- Vote on recommendations
- Review final publications
Individual Participant:
While the majority of participants will be representing organizations, in certain rare cases a single individual may poses unique expertise based on research performed which is vital to the process. The invitation of individual participants will be a rare occurrence and will be based on the following criteria:- Recognized national and/or international expert in the field
- Poses unique knowledge base needed for one or more of the questions to be reviewed
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Attends meetings related to their area of expertise
- Assist with evidence reviews
- Does not participate in voting
- Review relevant sections of final publications
Observing Government Agency:
While many government agencies will be invited to be participant organizations in certain cases the agency may wish to observe rather than participate.Roles and Responsibilities
- Fulfills roles through appointment of representative
- May attend meetings at their discretion and expense
- May review final publications
- Does not vote on recommendations
Observing Organization:
It is anticipated that there are organizations which have an interest in the field, but who may not meet the criteria for a participant organization, may wish to only observe or may have a real or perceived conflict interest of such a nature that serving as a participant organization would create either a real or perceived bias to the process.Roles and Responsibilities
- Fulfills roles through appointment of representative
- May attend meetings at their discretion and expense
- May participate in meetings after disclosing any conflicts of interest
- May review final publications
- Does not vote on recommendations
If you believe your organization meets these criteria, please email us and include: 1) contact information; 2) a description of your organization; 3) relevance of your organization to this project; and 4) potential or real conflicts of interest.