What does it mean to assist an active guest in distress without entering the water?

Assisting an active guest in distress without entering the water involves providing help while ensuring your own safety and maintaining an effective observation posture. The 10/20 protection standard means that a lifeguard should be able to identify and react to potential emergencies within a 10-second reaction time and maintain a visual observation of guests within a 20-meter radius.

By providing assistance while upholding this standard, a lifeguard ensures that they remain in a position to monitor the situation and call for additional help if necessary, while still trying to communicate with or support the struggling guest. This approach prioritizes both the lifeguard's safety and the effective management of the emergency.