For those of you who don’t know, I spend my summers lifeguarding. I’ve been guarding for five years now, at the same pool. Over the years, I’ve worked my way up the ladder and now a lot of our new guards look to me for guidance.

I love my job. I love the people I work with. I love teaching swim lessons and coaching the swim team. It’s a fun job.

And sometimes I forget that it’s an important one.

The near-drowning in Lansingburgh earlier this week was a wakeup call for lifeguards across the Capital Region. (An 11-year-old girl remains in a ventilator at Albany Medical Center.)

I don’t want to make it sound like I’m blaming the lifeguards on duty that day. I don’t know enough of the details. But when drownings or near-drownings happen, its rare that only one person is at fault. Lifeguards, parents and other patrons are responsible for helping to keep everyone at the pool safe.

I say this as a lifeguard: If you see something that looks even a little odd or suspicious, at a pool, say something. The old adage holds true, better safe than sorry.

I have a reputation at my pool for being a “jumpy” guard. On more than one occasion, I’ve jumped in after a kid who didn’t need me. And yes, I end up soaking wet and a little chilly, but I know that everyone is safe and that I’m doing my job.

I’m keeping the little girl and her family in my thoughts and prayers. And I’m desperately hoping that this is the only tragedy we have this summer.