What action should be taken if a swimmer is struggling but not in immediate danger?

When a swimmer is struggling but not in immediate danger, the appropriate action is to monitor the situation without intervening. This approach allows the lifeguard to assess the swimmer's condition continuously, determining whether they can recover on their own or if they need assistance.

In cases where the swimmer is not in immediate danger, jumping in to rescue them might escalate the situation and could put both the rescuer and the swimmer at risk. Shouting instructions from the shore may not be effective if the swimmer is panicking or unable to hear clearly, and it's important to avoid overwhelming them with commands. Activating emergency services is typically reserved for situations where there is an obvious danger to the swimmer or if the situation escalates beyond what a lifeguard can safely manage.

Monitoring effectively means keeping a watchful eye on the swimmer, ready to act if their situation worsens, while also ensuring that the lifeguard's safety is not compromised by the immediate proximity to any distressing situations. This is the best practice in lifeguarding when someone is struggling but still capable of staying afloat and addressing their own needs.