The Open Water Lifeguard Act designates open water lifeguards in New Jersey as first responders and emergency response providers. This recognition acknowledges the critical public safety role that lifeguards play in protecting lives from death or serious injury, often at significant personal risk. The bill highlights that many lifeguards are cross-trained in various emergency response skills, enabling them to effectively handle a wide range of emergencies, including victim treatment and transport.

Under this legislation, any individual employed as an open water lifeguard will be officially referred to as a first responder and emergency response provider. This change aims to honor the essential and lifesaving work performed by lifeguards, aligning state recognition with existing federal law that already qualifies them as first responders. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.