CARLSBAD — Dozens of lifeguards dove into the water Aug. 2 to save U.S. Marines, but not because any of them were in danger. It was the fourth annual Lifeguard Games sponsored by the American Red Cross, and members of the United States Marine Corps volunteered to act as drowning victims. The lifeguards participated in events such as submerged victim tow, shallow water back-boarding, two-man CPR, obstacle courses and inner tube races.

Certified pool lifeguards from San Diego and Imperial counties and more than 15 communities competed, doing their best to show the Red Cross staff which team was the most proficient. More than 60 individuals showed up to compete, along with several dozen friends and family who came to watch.

“We use the same judging criteria as when we’re teaching them how be a lifeguard; the approach to the victim, feet first surface dive, how they secure the victim, keeping their face out of the water, the way they tow the victim and assessing their level of consciousness, so they’re talking to the victim as they’re bringing them back,” judge Elaine-Marie Garcia said.

Despite having a relatively small turnout consisting of those related to the competition or those in the games, everyone was highly enthusiastic, none more so than the lifeguards. One of the spectators was Allison Truas, who works at the San Marcos Woodland Park pool. “I’m just a cheerleader today,” Truas said. “It’s been really fun watching all of my teammates. They did really good on the back-boarding. They’ve been training for a long time.”

“I used to work for the Red Cross, as part of the Lifeguard Games committee three years ago,” Garcia said. “Most of the time, thankfully, they’re not performing rescues on a daily basis. Which is why we only do events we have listed as part of their training. In order to become a Red Cross-certified lifeguard, you have to be able to do all of these different skills.”

Despite the strong show of professionalism at the event, the competitors all knew how to have a good time. Some dressed up in leopard print Speedos or had taunting slogans written on their backs with Sharpies. At one point eight adults lined up to start a race in a lap pool, all of them wearing red lifeguard uniforms and brightly colored children’s inner tubes wrapped around their waists.

“It’s a chance for a lifeguard to demonstrate and show off their skills positively,” Heidi Papachristes, a Red Cross committee member, said. “They get to display proficiency and develop team camaraderie.”