OLD FORGE, N.Y. -- It's New York's largest water theme park, and the rides live up to that title -- so it's no secret their lifeguards have to be top-notch.

"Very stringent on our EAPs, which is emergency action plans. That if something does arrive, they're able to respond quickly and effectively," said Jon Rookey, the Aquatics Director at Water Safari.

Their role is essential to the operation. 

"I ask before if they can swim in deep water and they usually go, 'ah I can swim in 12 feet deep water, and I love hearing that,'" said Miranda Dornburgh.

Lifeguards at Water Safari take rigorous training courses before they're in the water and even after they got the job.

"We have weekly in-services for our training, which is usually four hours a month and then various training exercises throughout the day," said Rookey.

The use different rescue techniques, depending on the ride.

"Our lifeguards are scanning efficiently. That's a big part here. When they go in they activate the EAP," said Dornburgh.

"Nairobi Narrows and Big Blaster -- they go into 6 feet of water. So we have to make sure that kids know how to swim," said Aubrey Stowell, another lifeguard and island supervisor.

Lifeguards say, protecting lives daily is just a part of their job -- one which they hope to continue every summer.