Lifeguard Training & Operations Expert Witnesses: 3

Water safety expert Shawn P. DeRosa is committed to helping reduce the drowning rate by training lifeguards, pool operators and beach managers in appropriate risk management strategies and emergency response protocols.

Helping educate pool and beach managers about the risks inherent in aquatic recreation with the ultimate goal of reducing the drowning rate is one of the primary goals of DeRosa Aquatic Consulting. 

Shawn P. DeRosa brings over 30 years experience in aquatics as a lifeguard, Water Safety and Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer, Certified Pool Operator, and Aquatic Facility Operator Instructor. He is a frequent speaker at industry events including the World Waterpark Association annual conference, the Association of Aquatic Professionals annual conference, as well as regional workshops and training events. For nearly 9 years Shawn worked at The Pennsylvania State University: seven years as the Director of Aquatics and Safety Officer for Intercollegiate Athletics / Associate Director of Campus Recreation, Aquatics and Safety and then nearly two years as the Senior Associate Director of Campus Recreation for Business and Administrative Services. Prior to joining Penn State, Shawn served as the Waterfront Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts State Park system, where he oversaw 66 aquatic facilities including 38 inland beaches, 6 ocean beaches, and 20 swimming pools. He has been instrumental in the development of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program, having served as a technical consultant with both the 2000 and 2012 program revisions.

The author of numerous articles concerning risk management and aquatic safety, Shawn is also the contributing author to two textbooks: Safer Beaches and The Complete Swimmiing Pool Reference. He also developed two certifications programs used to train pool operators worldwide in the principles and standards for operating aquatic facilities. Shawn has trained pool and waterpark operators across the United States as well as in Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. 

Litigation Support - A well-recognized expert in the field, Shawn offers a critical and unbiased review of aquatic cases, whether as a plaintiff or defense expert. An expert in Water Safety, Lifeguarding, Pool Operations, and Beach Management, Shawn is uniquely positioned to critically and objectively evaluate cases involving injuries or deaths including drowning and diving injuries. A cum laude graduate of Suffolk University Law School, Shawn appreciates the many legal questions that arise in the course of litigation and is well-positioned to apply the facts revealed during discovery to the critical elements of a case.

• Lifesaving, Lifeguarding and Aquatics Safety
• Water Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, and Ice Rescue
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
• Basic Life Support
• Drowning and Aquatic Injury Prevention and Emergency Management
• Lifeguard Training and Operations

Smith Aquatic Safety Service (SASS) was created in 1981, upon Dr. Smith's retirement from 25 year's service in the U.S. Coast Guard, to provide aquatic safety training. At retirement Dr. Smith was Chief, 2nd Coast Guard Boating Safety Division, St. Louis, MO, responsible for all federal boating safety activities in 15 primary states.

Litigation Support - In 1981 Dr. Smith first testified as an expert. Both aspects of SASS have grown markedly, with Dr. Smith being retained in hundreds of legal cases, for plaintiff and defense while also training thousands of aquatic safety/rescue personnel. He has been qualified in numerous state and federal court cases as a boating accident reconstructionist.

SASS provides consultation and related services to law firms in aquatics cases, plus water rescue and boating safety training seminars for fire, police, lifeguarding and EMS providers throughout North America.

Areas of Expertise: