The main function of a lifeguard is pretty self-explanatory: to protect lives. The lifeguards are trained to examine the water and its surrounding area to save people from any emergencies. They are trained in CPR for professional rescuers and first-aid practices and are taught to anticipate potential problems before they arise.
In this article, we will look at some of the benefits as well as drawbacks of a lifeguard job.
Benefits
It’s not an easy job, but there are many benefits to being a lifeguard:
- They pay you comparatively well.
- You have a flexible schedule in an informal environment.
- You get to hang out with interesting people and make great friends.
- You cool off in the pool during your breaks.
- You get a good experience in customer service.
- You learn responsibility and how to anticipate potentially dangerous situations.
- Gain valuable life-saving skills that will stay with you throughout your life, and may even prove valuable in future jobs.
you can become a lifeguard even in your teenage years, doing it as a part-time job during your studies. it is difficult to get a full-time job as a lifeguard during your teen years but once you get some experience the situation changes in your favour. It provides you with the opportunity to be able to share your job experience in future jobs and promotions. Granted, I gained more experience and certification along the way, but I never would have been able to get such amazing positions if I didn’t have the lifeguard experience.
Drawbacks
As my “day in the life” scenario demonstrates, not everything about being a lifeguard is positive. It can be boring, tedious, crude and annoying.
There are days when customers will yell at you for no reason. There are times when you’ll get tired of “babysitting” all the kids in the neighbourhood. There will be regular customers who are completely crazy, and there is always a lot of “group drama” to deal with between co-workers. But, from my experience, all the negatives are outweighed by the positives.
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Lifeguards: not just for children
Just because lifeguarding is a perfect part-time job for teens doesn’t mean it’s not the perfect job for you either. As a former aquatics manager, I can not only attest to the fact that I loved my adult employees, I can tell you why adults should flock to fill these positions:
- Most managers value the added sense of responsibility that adult employees bring to the table, and will try to be as flexible as possible to meet scheduling requirements.
- Pool managers have a hard time filling day shifts because high school and college students are in class. If you’re looking for part-time work during the day, pools are often very busy.
- The pay is better than many other part-time positions, and you may be able to attend free training courses in swimming lesson instruction and aquatic exercise instruction, both with an even higher pay rate.
- As leadership positions open up at their facilities, managers are more likely to fill them with adult employees, as adults have a level of stability that high school and college students typically don’t.
- If you’re entertaining a full-time aquatic or recreational job, you’re more likely to get a full-time position at a recreational or aquatic facility if you’re already working there part-time.
- Some facilities offer benefits that can be extended to your entire family, such as discounts on swim centre membership or swimming lessons.
Final Word
Although I am a big supporter of lifeguard jobs, I realize they are not for everyone. If you have an aversion to controlled chaos, constant screeching, or chemicals, this may not be a good fit for you. Also, lifeguards need to feel comfortable asserting their authority, so if you’re not sure you can correct customers who break the rules, you’ll want to think carefully before investing your money in a class. To be more confident in your decision to become a lifeguard, check with a local aquatic centre to see if there might be an opportunity to shadow a lifeguard for a day.American Lifeguard Association is offering a number of lifeguard training near me program. Pick a training program of your choice according to your age and swimming skills and become a certified professional in lifeguarding.