What do lifeguards commonly use to communicate with their team during a rescue situation?

Lifeguards commonly use hand signals and whistles to communicate with their team during a rescue situation due to the need for clear, immediate, and effective communication in a potentially chaotic environment. Hand signals can convey specific messages over a distance, allowing lifeguards to coordinate movements or indicate dangers without the need for yelling, which might be lost in the sound of waves or wind.

Whistles serve a similar purpose; they are loud and attention-grabbing, enabling lifeguards to alert their team or draw attention to a situation without being physically close to one another. This method of communication is essential in maintaining safety and efficiency during rescues, as it reduces misunderstanding and allows for a swift response.

Other methods like cell phones may introduce delays in communication due to the need to dial and wait for an answer, while personal notes and verbal shouts can be impractical in a dynamic environment like a beach. Therefore, the use of hand signals and whistles is the most effective method for lifeguards to communicate instantaneously during a rescue operation.