Lifeguard Job Description, Career as a Lifeguard, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job
lifeguards water swimmers pool
Education and Training: Minimum requirement—Red Cross Advanced Lifesaving Certificate
Salary: Median—$7.95 per hour
Employment Outlook: Seasonal—good; year-round—fair
Definition and Nature of the Work
Lifeguards are expert swimmers who ensure the safety of other swimmers. They work almost everywhere that swimming is open to the public, including pools and beaches, youth and athletic associations, schools, municipal recreation departments, private swim clubs, and hotels.
Lifeguards are trained in water safety. They know how to initiate a rescue and remove a distressed swimmer from the water. They also know first aid and are able to give artificial respiration if necessary. In an effort to ensure swimmers' safety, lifeguards watch for situations that could lead to accidents. They do not allow rough play or dangerous objects in the water or the surrounding area.
Most lifeguards sit in tall chairs near the water. Usually these chairs are covered with an umbrella to protect the guards from the sun. Some lifeguards are stationed in rowboats in the water. They frequently use binoculars to get a clearer view of the swimming area.
Poolside lifeguards may perform other duties such as cleaning the pool and the pool area. They remove objects from the water, pick up lost articles, dispose of trash from the pool area, and sometimes are responsible for putting chlorine and other chemicals into the water. In some pools these tasks are performed by the pool operator. Many lifeguards also give swimming lessons.
Education and Training Requirements
Lifeguards must be expert swimmers, be in excellent physical condition, and be able to react quickly in emergency situations. The minimum qualification for the position is a Red Cross Advanced Lifesaving certificate, which requires twenty-two units of instruction in water safety. After receiving this instruction prospective lifeguards must prove their knowledge of water safety by demonstrating the proper techniques of approach and rescue. Every three years lifeguards must take a refresher course to renew the certificate.
Lifeguards not only help swimmers who are in trouble but also prevent accidents by making sure swimmers avoid dangerous situations.
Lifeguards may want to earn a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certificate. To get this certificate, candidates must take longer, more intensive courses of instruction, be at least seventeen years old, and be able to teach all levels of swimmers from beginners to senior lifesavers. To maintain the validity of the Water Safety Instructor certificate, lifeguards must teach at least one course in swimming or lifesaving every two years.
Getting the Job
Interested individuals should apply directly to the beaches or pools where they would like to work. They should be prepared to show their skills before being hired. Many employers prefer to hire lifeguards who can also teach swimming. Newspaper want ads sometimes list job opportunities for lifeguards. Summer resort areas are excellent places to look for a job. The local office of the American Red Cross may be able to assist candidates in their job search as well.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Qualified lifeguards may become swimming instructors. Lifeguards who have a few years of experience and have learned the techniques of running a pool may advance to become pool operators. Many states require these individuals to have a pool operator's card, which verifies that the cardholder understands the basic principles of pool sanitation.
The job outlook for lifeguards is changing. An expansion of tourist and recreational facilities has increased the number of openings available, but the low hourly salaries have made it difficult for resorts to fill these positions. Competition for jobs at high-paying establishments is keen. Experienced lifeguards are in a better position than new workers to negotiate for higher fees.
Working Conditions
Most lifeguards are students who enjoy the water. They must be strong swimmers and patient observers, focusing all of their attention on the swimmers they have been hired to protect. If they work at outdoor pools or beaches they must be prepared to spend many hours in the hot sun.
Lifeguards usually work forty hours a week. A short rest period is usually allowed each hour. Because pools are open to serve the public, many lifeguards work evenings and weekends. A good deal of lifeguard work is seasonal; those who work at outdoor facilities may have to find other jobs for the rest of the year.
Earnings and Benefits
Lifeguard work is most often available in the summer, which limits earning potential. Wages are also affected by geography. For instance, lifeguards on California's ocean beaches make more than lifeguards on small lakes in the Midwest. Indoor pools in private clubs or in large hotels pay higher wages than pools and beaches that are open only in the summer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for lifeguards was $7.95 per hour in 2004. In many places lifeguards can expect to start at the minimum wage. In other places experienced lifeguards who work year-round can make between $12 and $27 per hour. Full-time employees may receive paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and sick leave.
User Comments
9 months ago
its cool i got all the inf.!! :0
10 months ago
am lifeguard am realy enjoyed my work
12 months ago
chaminda
CURRICULUM VITAE
A Self motivated individual with proven team leadership skills and self confidence. Flexible and receptive to new situation possessing excellent communication and inter personals skills
Professional Qualifications
Currently I’m working as a training life serving instructor in Matera aquatic sport club Sri Lanka, for six month from February 2010
Personal Details
Full Name -: Kaluwila Senanayakalage Chaminda Dissanayaka
Name with initials -: K.S. C Dissanayaka
Date of Birth -: 18 th September 1992
Age -:19 years
NIC No -: 922622760 V
Sex -:Male
Nationality -:Sri Lankan
Status -: Single
School -: Narandeniya Central Collage, Matara
Educational Qualification
year Qualification
2008 Buddhism
Sinhala
Dancing
Geography
Agriculture
Mathematics
History
C
C
C
C
S
S
S
Followed the life saving intermediate held by life saving association of Sri Lanka
Followed the life Basic rescue Certificate course held by life saving association of Sri Lanka
Followed the Barn to swim confidence with water course run by the rainbow swimming academy of Sri Lanka
Participate to the junior life saving training camp in Anuradhapura organized held by life saving association of Sri Lanka in 2009
Participate to the “eagle Poson safety program” held in Anuradhapura organized by life saving association of Sri Lanka since 2007
Was a member of school cadet platoon
Was a member of school Prefect board
Priyantha Gamage,
“Priyantha”
Sri Nigrodharama mawatha
Ullala
Kamburupitiya
Matara TP: 0718374709
Jeewana Gunasingha
“Wejesiri
Sapugoda
Kamburupitiya.
Matara
TP.071 8274285
I Here by certify that the above particulars are true and accurate. I’m also aware of my liability for disqualification. If any of the above particulars are found to be fault to be fault or incorrect.
………………………………….. ………………………………..
Date Signature
over 1 year ago
im in good shape, 5'9", 140 pound very athletic, and a great swimmer
12 months ago
ashley
your gay !
about 1 year ago
i loled hard
4 months ago
Tre
I'm a guard and really cool working
4 months ago
am working as lifeguard and ilove my job.
6 months ago
wanna be in life guard dept
8 months ago
Abbey
Where I live they make like $25/hour! :D
9 months ago
samantha
I REALLY WANT TO BE A LIFE GUARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12 months ago
CURRICULUM VITAE
A Self motivated individual with proven team leadership skills and self confidence. Flexible and receptive to new situation possessing excellent communication and inter personals skills
Professional Qualifications
Currently I’m working as a training life serving instructor in Matera aquatic sport club Sri Lanka, for six month from February 2010
Personal Details
Full Name -: Kaluwila Senanayakalage Chaminda Dissanayaka
Name with initials -: K.S. C Dissanayaka
Date of Birth -: 18 th September 1992
Age -:19 years
NIC No -: 922622760 V
Sex -:Male
Nationality -:Sri Lankan
Status -: Single
School -: Narandeniya Central Collage, Matara
Educational Qualification
year Qualification
2008 Buddhism
Sinhala
Dancing
Geography
Agriculture
Mathematics
History
C
C
C
C
S
S
S
Followed the life saving intermediate held by life saving association of Sri Lanka
Followed the life Basic rescue Certificate course held by life saving association of Sri Lanka
Followed the Barn to swim confidence with water course run by the rainbow swimming academy of Sri Lanka
Participate to the junior life saving training camp in Anuradhapura organized held by life saving association of Sri Lanka in 2009
Participate to the “eagle Poson safety program” held in Anuradhapura organized by life saving association of Sri Lanka since 2007
Was a member of school cadet platoon
Was a member of school Prefect board
Priyantha Gamage,
“Priyantha”
Sri Nigrodharama mawatha
Ullala
Kamburupitiya
Matara TP: 0718374709
Jeewana Gunasingha
“Wejesiri
Sapugoda
Kamburupitiya.
Matara
TP.071 8274285
I Here by certify that the above particulars are true and accurate. I’m also aware of my liability for disqualification. If any of the above particulars are found to be fault to be fault or incorrect.
………………………………….. ………………………………..
Date Signature