If you know swimmers then you know that almost all swimmers are lifeguards. It just comes with the sport. We spend most of our days at the pool, so why not spend even more time there but getting paid?!
Many believe that lifeguarding can be one of the simplest jobs out there. All you do is bask in the sun and yell at kids to walk. Although that is a part of it, do you really know what the job requires? Do you understand the skills that it takes, the pressure, the legal considerations, the instant decisions, the severity, and the importance of the fact that you have other peoples lives in your hands?
First off, in order to become a lifeguard you have to undergo specific training and become CPR certified. Along with this, depending on the pool that you want to work at, other obligations may apply such as, other work facility training and required qualifications.
"To fulfill the responsibilities of a professional lifeguard, you must be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared at all times to do your job" (Markenson 3).
What are some characteristics of a lifeguard?
According to The American Red Cross Lifeguard Manual, there are certain qualities that are expected in a lifeguard:
- Knowledgeable and skilled
- Reliable
- Mature- Courteous and consistent
- Positive
- Professional
- Takes care of yourself in order to be properly ready for the job: exercise, eat and hydrate properly, get enough rest, and protect yourself from sun exposure (Markenson 3).
So what are some responsibilities of lifeguards? Getting our tan on isn't all what it is lived up to be. There is more to be done when you aren't out on the chair. Some duties that are listed from The American Red Cross Lifeguard Manual are:
- Monitoring activities in and near the water
- Preventing injuries
- Enforcing facility rules
- Recognizing and responding quickly
- Administering first aid and CPR
- Working as a team
other secondary responsibilities:
- Testing the pool water chemistry
- Assisting patrons and coworkers
- Cleaning and preforming maintenance (even the gross stuff)
- Completing records and reports
- Performing opening and closing duties or facility safety checks and inspections
- Attending staff training (Markenson 2).
There is so much more that people don't see to the job of lifeguarding.
It is an extremely important job because you are responsible for hundreds of peoples lives, it is your duty to protect them. You have not only adults lives in your hands but children, as young as newborns, lives too. Lifeguarding isn't just about what's happening in the water, the entire surrounding area is your responsibility. This can mean that if a child slipped and hit their head and are bleeding you assist, if a child is lost you don't stop until they are safe, if an adult has a seizure on the side of the pool or in the water you are there to help, if there is throw up in the middle of the walkway you clean it up, if an infant is choking you do what you are trained for. You are responsible to help. You are capable of helping, so why wouldn't you? If you could do something to save someone's life, wouldn't you do it? This is what it is like everyday for a lifeguard, some days more intense than others, but you always have to be prepared and willing to take the needed actions. Your training and qualifications don't stop the moment you step out of the facility after a days work. You are always certified, its not something you just put on and take off like a work uniform. If you were to run into a situation that requires skills from CPR and other training that you are certified and trained for, you can help. Lifeguarding can be beneficial to you and those around you at all times of the day.
Have you ever dreamed of being a lifeguard just sitting on a beach doing what seems like nothing? If you've considered this, have you ever considered the possible consequences and hard decisions that actually come along with the job of being a lifeguard?
Markenson, David, comp. Lifeguarding. Washington, D.C.: American Red Cross, 2012. Print.
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