Lifeguard Jobs Near Me | Basic Career Requirements

Working as a lifeguard, your jobs will help in rescuing and providing emergency first aid while enforcing the laws of a pool, water park, or other body of water. To get quick entry into the field as a lifeguard, you will need to complete certain safety training and certifications.

In this article, we will go through the four steps necessary to become a lifeguard, as well as the responsibilities of the job and the typical salary.

Lifeguard Jobs near me

Lifeguards are employed in aquatic facilities such as swimming pools, beaches, water parks, and other recreational areas. Keeping people safe in and near the water is the lifeguard’s basic responsibility.

They have received training to understand water safety and guarantee that guidelines are followed by enforcing safe practices. These Lifeguard jobs are capable of providing emergency care.

Lifeguards may direct swimming lessons, working with participants of all ages to promote pool safety, as well as during designated swimming hours or water sports. Those who work as lifeguards do the following:

• Open and shut down the facilities at the start and close of the day.
• Ensure that there are no harmful objects or debris in the water area.
• Keep an eye on swimmers to guarantee their safety.
• Keep an eye out for potentially harmful weather.
• Help swimmers to enter and leave the pool area.
• Regularly treat pool water with substances.
• Carry out the job-related administrative duties.

Salary for Lifeguard Jobs

Due to the fact that their duties are sometimes seasonal or part-time, lifeguards are typically paid hourly. A lifeguard’s hourly wage is around $11.81 based on research. The equivalent annual salary for a full-time lifeguard is $24,565. A teenager or student looking for a part-time work could find this to be the right position.

Steps for Taking Jobs as a Lifeguard

You may follow these four easy steps to become a lifeguard:

1. Improve your swimming abilities physically.
2. Complete lifeguard certification and training.
3. Create realistic expectations.
4. Apply for the available Lifeguard positions.

Requirements for lifeguard Jobs

Specific qualifications and skills are required for lifeguarding:

• Education

Lifeguards are not required to have a formal education. Many lifeguard jobs are handled by high school students pursuing their GEDs or high school degrees. Lifeguards working at college and university pools are frequently undergraduate and graduate students. Professional lifeguards may be employed by some beaches.

• Training

Being trained is essential to becoming a lifeguard. Most pools will perform official training sessions for all lifeguards after awarding employment to seasonal workers. Training will include first aid, artificial respiration, water safety, and water rescue. Some lifeguards also undergo pre-season training in swimming lessons and pool maintenance.

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• Certifications

Certain credentials are necessary for lifeguard jobs. A portfolio might benefit from containing these credentials before you start looking for work. Before the summer season, some pools and recreation departments offer certification courses, or they let staff members enroll in them after they are hired but before the season starts.

CPR and first aid certification: First aid and CPR certifications must both be current and in good order for all lifeguards. Some pools demand that the class be delivered face-to-face rather than online. The American Red Cross and other comparable organizations provide first aid and CPR services.

Certification for lifeguard: The American Red Cross Lifeguarding & Water Safety course, which offers a Lifeguarding certificate, is required for certification for many lifeguarding jobs. These courses include first aid, CPR, first aid methods, and automated external defibrillators (AED).

Some lifeguards decide to obtain their first aid, CPR, and lifeguarding certifications concurrently. A pre-course swimming test is usually needed for these courses. The minimum age requirement for participants is fifteen.

• Skills

Hard skills like swimming and CPR are a must for lifeguards. They also require soft skills like leadership, communication, and listening. While some abilities are learned through formal education and certification, others are discovered through practical work experience. Work on developing the following abilities if you want to be a successful lifeguard job applicant:

Physical fitness and swimming: Lifeguards must be great swimmers in order to keep others safe. They should be able to dive into the water rapidly and confidently as well as tread water for extended periods of time. In an emergency, lifeguards may have to rescue swimmers who are drowning by diving to their aid or pulling other people from the water.

Dedicated attention: The majority of a lifeguard’s duty is spent keeping an eye on their surroundings. To ensure that everyone is secure, they keep an eye on the surrounding environment and the water. They should always be on guard and focused. A skilled lifeguard may recognize a risk before it even poses a threat, such as a piece of garbage close to the pool.

Leadership: Lifeguards can keep an eye on a large crowd at the beach or pool. To keep the environment secure, they must be able to demand respect and authority. A capable leader will be able to offer instructions without difficulty and keep swimmers safe. You could also be requested to supervise or manage other staff members after operating as a lifeguard for one season or longer.

Furthermore

Communication: Lifeguards must communicate properly both in calm and tense situations. “No running is allowed”, for example, or “The pool is closed in 15 minutes” are common directives they use. Lifeguards who manage swim teams or give swimming lessons interact often with kids, teenagers, and parents.

A lifeguard may need to yell for assistance, document the event, or speak coherently with an emergency response team during an emergency.

Working conditions for lifeguards

Lifeguards are employed in a variety of settings. Some work for local pools, while others are employed by huge water parks, aquatic centers, or beaches. However, there are several things that every lifeguard should expect from their workplace:

• Lifeguards typically work outside. They could spend a lot of time in the sunlight. They should put on sunscreen, hats, and other safety equipment.
• A lifeguard’s duty is to keep a watchful eye on the pool. They must be awake, vigilant, and prepared to act immediately if necessary.
• Some lifeguards closely work with kids and teenagers to instruct on swimming and coach swimming groups.
• Most jobs as a lifeguard are temporary. During the off-season, lifeguards should be ready to pursue alternative employment.
• On weekends, holidays, and evenings, the majority of beaches and pools are crowded. Schedules for lifeguards are flexible and subject to change depending on the weather, special events, and staffing requirements.

In Conclusion

Lifeguards are employed in aquatic facilities like swimming pools, beaches, water parks, and other recreation centers. Keeping people safe in and near the water is the basic duty in lifeguard jobs. They have received training to understand water safety and guarantee that guidelines are followed by enforcing safe practices. They are also capable of providing emergency care.

Lifeguard jobs may also involve providing swimming lessons, while working with individuals of all age group to promote pool safety, as well as during designated swimming hours or water sports.