The responsibilities of being a lifeguard are significant. Lifeguards make a difference by saving lives and preventing injuries. A career as a pool lifeguard can lead to further job opportunities in the aquatic industry, as it brings challenges and rewards.
It uses many core workplace skills such as communication, risk management, decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork, customer service, and performing under pressure, all of which are applicable to other industry sectors.
Getting a lifeguard certification from the American Lifeguard Association can make you eligible to get a job that can take you all over America and the world, with the right qualifications. The job requires a certain degree of fitness, strength and stamina in order to act quickly in the case of an emergency, and you must be a strong swimmer. You need to review and update your first aid and resuscitation qualifications regularly.
Time flexibility in duty hours
Lifeguards enjoy the flexibility of being able to work part-time and casually. Some people can study while they are working or have a second job. It works well with family obligations and allows you to work when it suits you. Lifeguard training can provide a stepping stone for other full-time roles in the aquatic industry and it is also possible to combine lifeguarding with swim teaching within a facility.
Career opportunities
If you gain experience working as a lifeguard, you can become a lifeguard team leader, a duty manager, and eventually an aquatic facilities manager. More technical roles such as a technical aquatic facilities operator are possible with additional training.
Changing shifts
Depending on the day of the week, time of day and time of the year, each pool lifeguard shift can be different. Regardless of whether it is busy or quiet at any given time, the challenge is to remain vigilant.
Risk management
Every working day, a lifeguard has to think about risk management. What are the risks associated with any hazard that I am able to identify? I wonder if that tile is broken on the steps. How far away is it from that lightning and thunder? How safe is it for those children to play hold your breath?
Communication
Your day will include everything from saying hello and having a quick chat with the regulars to instructing kids on how to safely use inflatable pool equipment, explaining rules and procedures to parents and to exchanging information with fellow lifeguards about areas you were just supervising or even to coordinate Communication skills that include the ability to listen, analyse and make sense of what is happening around you are important.
Keeping an eye
It’s important that effective supervision is in place. Keeping concentration and focus throughout your shift means constantly scanning for and recognizing people in difficulty. You will usually be assigned to a particular pool or zone of a pool but will be asked to work with other colleagues regularly. You can either move from the deep end of the main pool to a completely different area or from the waterslide exit to a completely different position.
Being Decisive
On a daily basis, you will have to make decisions about when and how to act. You will need to develop and hone decision-making and problem-solving skills, which are skills you will frequently call on. This includes deciding how best to ensure your zone is covered while you attend to an elderly person that is feeling unwell or dealing with a group of children that continue to chase each other around the pool deck despite your instructions not to do so.
First aid
While you may not be required to carry out a major rescue or emergency every day, your work will involve dealing with minor injuries and incidents, everything from kids with bruises to a capable swimmer needing help out of the pool due to a problem with their
Submitting reports
At the beginning and end of each shift, you’ll need to sign on and off. It is possible that you will need to submit an incident report in line with the facility’s operating procedures.
Keeping a check
Setting up the facility and equipment will be a part of your role. This includes checking emergency equipment and supplies, assisting with pool water treatment, checking the environment for dangers, and completing appropriate log books and reports.
Keeping the discipline
Lifeguard certification course teaches you that lifeguards need to make sure that the rules are followed in order to keep the public safe. Difficult conversations and even conflict can occur because of this. If you have to remind a bather that they can’t take a drink into the pool, for example, you might have to ask parents to better supervise their children.
This requires good communication and conflict management skills to resolve such situations as positively as possible, which can be challenging and frustrating, something all lifeguards need to make sure they are physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for.
Conclusion
The lifeguard is an important part of aquatic places to keep people safe and secure. There is a certain requirement to become a lifeguard. The American Lifeguard Association is a well-reputed place for training lifeguards for the last thirty years.
They have designed some course for the aspiring lifeguards. To get lifeguard training, you need to apply with them. You can go through their website for more information. The lifeguard course will make you aware of the various aspects of lifesaving.
This will help you to save lives in the future. The first and foremost thing that you need to learn as a lifeguard is about water safety. You need to know the basic rules of water safety. These are the things that you need to learn before applying for the course. There is also a test that you need to pass.
For more information on lifeguard courses at the American Lifeguard Association please do not hesitate to contact.
