How Should we train Lifeguards for when a bystander wants to help?

I have experienced this a few times, long before the recent incident at the Bahamian waterpark where an off duty nurse/doctor began care on a drowning victim. staff came on scene and took over care with the off duty person feeling like the certified staff members ignored their help which possibly contributed delay in care and fatality. this resulted in bad publicity.

two of my own situations come to mind.

1. a guest fainted while walking up the slide tower on a super busy day. a guard was alerted and went to investigate. as they were beginning care and waiting on supervisory help, a doctor came out of the crowd, assumed control and gave directions all the way to the first aid office. he began telling the guest all the possible conditions they may have. as it turned out the doctor ended up being a podiatrist

2. a guest cut their head from a slip and fall. 2 off duty nurses(who used to be lifeguards they told me) were close by and took over care until the guard responded within a few seconds. the spouse of the injured man became very frantic and caused a scene. the nurses then disagreed with the initial care the guard was giving and told the spouse we were doing everything wrong, making the already nervous guard more insecure. I asked the nurses to stand away as our EMT took over. afterwards I went to find the nurses as they seemed offended in the heat of the moment. they wouldn't accept my apology and told me how incompetent we were, when they had actually contributed to the craziness.

For every incident now, I almost anticipate that there will be an off duty/retired nurse/medic/firefighter/lifeguard close by and want to be involved by either assuming control, criticizing what your doing or try to be helpful.

WARNING- Controversial topic ahead

HOW SHOULD WE BETTER TRAIN LIFEGUARDS IN COURSES/IN-SERVICE, TO PROPERLY DEAL WITH TRAINED OFF DUTY RESCUERS?

It seems to me like there are a few options,

• allow the off-duty responder to exclusively provide care without verifying credentials

• don't allow the off duty responder to provide care and move them away to avoid negligence

• figure out a way to integrate the off duty responder into the rescue response while you have command control, IF they show competency.

I would love to know your thoughts and if this should be addressed and included in formal training given by nationally recognized lifeguard agencies