A shortage of lifeguards has caused Larkins to cutback its recreational pool time.Before the recent hour cuts, all pools were open for recreational swim during Larkins’ business hours.”In the past, no matter what time people came, they could always find some place to swim,” said Erick Young, an aquatic supervisor.Hedvig Moheasy, who swims at Larkins, said, “I used to come here for five years and never had a problem. Now it is hard to get here during open times.” In the spring, 53 lifeguards were employed at Larkins, but in 1991 there were 120 lifeguards. “Cutting recreational hours is the only safe way to operate the pools, OSU laws state that you have to have a lifeguard when there are people swimming,” said Mike Dunn, director of Recreational Sports. Finding lifeguards is a problem for many reasons, he said. “Back about five or six years ago, The American Red Cross made the requirements for lifeguarding more difficult, few lifeguards revised their license and the numbers never really went back up,” said Dunn.The number of lifeguards has decreased nationally by about 15 percent, according to the Red Cross.Before the changes, Larkins staff counted the number of people in a pool each half hour. The results were used to decide when the pools were most crowded. The new hours were then arranged so pools would be open during high traffic times. Since Sept. 24, the 50-meter pool is open weekdays 6 to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 6 to 9:45 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Sunday 4:30 to 9:45 p.m. The varsity pool is available noon to 4:30 p.m. and the class pool is open Monday through Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m. The therapy pool is open Monday and Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday 4:30 to 6 p.m. The diving well is available Tuesday and Sunday 7 to 9 p.m.Larkins is always looking to hire lifeguards, said Daniel Haines, assistant director of the pools. “Our range that we pay lifeguards is $5.35 to $6.50 per hour, but we increase pay through performance,” said Tammy Wharton, who is in charge of pool scheduling for Larkins. “We are very flexible to work for ‹ students and their education come first.”