Editor’s note: Reporter Mark Boyle takes us behind the scenes of news stories in the area. This week, he catches up with some well-trained water rescue personnel at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center. Lifeguards are always on the lookout to help keep swimmers safe. Mark jumped in the pool during a training session and found out just how difficult it can be to pull a drowning victim out of the water at a moment’s notice.

School is out, the weather is prime for being outdoors and as a result, many Lawrence residents have made their way to Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center.

“We are very busy,” said Jenna Mumford, who is in her ninth year as a lifeguard. “A lot of people just think that we sit out here and get tanned, but it really takes a lot of determination and discipline.”

The area’s largest public pool hosted more than 100,000 swimmers last year, and safety for personnel at the pool is a top priority. And after spending an afternoon with several Lawrence lifeguards, it’s was easy to see that there is plenty of training and knowledge needed to don the red swimsuit.

“Training was the worst part,” said Karla Stone, who is a fifth-year Lawrence lifeguard. “It lasts about two weeks and there is a lot of nonstop swimming; you go through every possible scenario.”

Mumford is a lifeguard and water safety instructor. She says while the training is rigorous, each lifeguard is fully prepared to respond to any situation that may arise.

“Our actual rescues begin with an emergency action plan,” Mumford said. “That entails a lifeguard identifying an emergency, blowing their whistle and going in for the save and performing the appropriate rescue.”

All seriousness aside, any pool regular who has ever witnessed the popular “whistle twirl” maneuver certainly did not see it in Lawrence — it’s banned here. It’s widely recognized among lifeguards as the best way to fidget while on the job and it also draws mixed reactions.

“I hate it,” said Emily Bucher, who is a first year lifeguard.

“I love it,” Mumford said. “And I hate that we can’t do it here, but rules are rules.”

Lifeguards will be on duty at Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center during summer from 1 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. daily.