What is the purpose of an incident report?

The purpose of an incident report is to document occurrences for future reference. An incident report serves as a formal record of specific events, including what happened, the time and location of the incident, individuals involved, witnesses, and any actions taken. This documentation is crucial for several reasons: it helps in the analysis of incidents for improving safety measures, provides a legal record if needed, and enhances the understanding of any recurring issues that may require attention.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of an incident report. While reporting weather conditions and providing first aid instructions may be important in a lifeguarding context, they are not the role of the incident report itself. Likewise, entertaining beachgoers does not align with the objective of maintaining safety and accountability during incidents.