Columbia Association's lifeguards recently placed second in the nation at the 2008 Lifeguard Challenge Finals at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill., on July 30-31. CA lifeguards also placed third overall in the Northwest Region. The competition is held by Jeff Ellis & Associates International Aquatic Safety & Risk Management Consultants, a lifeguard training company.

New CA lifeguards are equipped with at least 24 hours of training in rescue techniques, CPR and first aid, in addition to the 12 to 15 hours of recertification training that all returning lifeguards receive.

Regional results: Third place overall
Scenario 1
Jason Bazell, first place
Patrick Chamberlain, second place
Rachel Zimmerman, fifth place
Scenario 2
Jason Bazell, first place
Rachel Zimmerman, first place
Marina Metzler, third place
Patrick Chamberlain, third place
Rescue relay
First place as a team

National results: Second place overall
Scenario 1
Jason Bazell, first place
Patrick Chamberlain, second place
Rachel Zimmerman, eighth place
Scenario 2
Jason Bazell, first place
Rachel Zimmerman, first place
Rescue relay
Fifth place as a team

Alternates were Thomas Stavely and Adrian Gibbs.

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