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What will my first day as a lifeguard be like?
Monday, May 6th, 2013
The question that every new lifeguard asks is, what will my first day as a lifeguard be like? Feeling confident and prepared on your first day is very important. Being ready means you can focus on your number one responsibility: keeping people safe.
What do I need to bring to my first day of lifeguarding?
Although you may think that you don’t need to bring much to your lifeguarding job, you actually do. It might help to have a specific bag that you only use for your lifeguard stuff. Here is a checklist of items you will need:
- Lifeguard uniform
- Sunglasses to block water’s glare
- Lifeguard whistle
- Sunblock
- Water bottle(s) to stay hydrated in the heat
- Snacks and/or meals
- A towel
- CPR Mask
- Lifeguard certifications
- CPR certifications
- Hats (optional but useful)
- Sweatshirt (in case there is a shift in weather like a cold front or rain)
Once you have made sure that all of those items are stowed away in your bag, you are ready to get to the pool!
So, what will my first day be like?
The thought of your first day on the job may seem scary, but it shouldn’t be!
Before your first day, be sure to review your skill book or lifeguard manual to ensure that you are prepared to perform your responsibilities and respond in an emergency situation. Studying these skills consistently throughout the summer will keep you vigilant.
During your shift, you will need to sit on your lifeguard chair with the guard tube across your lap and the tube strap around your body. In the chair, you will need to constantly scan the water, making sure that all of the patrons are behaving in a safe manner. Be prepared to blow your whistle, take authority and firmly, but respectfully, correct any unsafe actions. Consciously sit in a position that will help you stay alert and focused.
Aside from your lifeguard duties, you need to stay hydrated! Make sure that you are constantly drinking large amounts of water or else you will dehydrate and feel sick. Also, be sure to eat. Even though you are just sitting, the summer heat really takes a toll on your body after numerous hours – food will help to restore your energy.
In the end, your first day on the job will be a great new experience if you are well prepared. To ensure a successful day, make sure to pack your bag correctly, constantly watch patrons for safe behavior, take control of dangerous situations and stay hydrated!
Lifeguarding is an extremely fun and rewarding job. By being prepared and ready for work, you will ensure a great summer as a lifeguard.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole Friedlander is a junior at McDonogh High School in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been a lifeguard for American Pool Enterprises and Guard for Life since she was fifteen, and has loved every minute of it. Between sitting in the sun, helping to keep swimmers safe, saving money for her college fund and fine tuning her work-place skills, she could not think of a better summer job.
Aside from being a lifeguard, she is also a varsity cross country and indoor track runner as well as a year-round lacrosse player. Even with the busy life of a high school student, she finds that lifeguarding fits easily into her schedule and is a rewarding life experience.
In this series, Nicole will share her insight and advice about having a job as a lifeguard. Follow her series here on guardforlife.com, Facebook and Twitter.
Lifeguard Training: Beating the Brick
Thursday, April 11th, 2013Making the decision to become a lifeguard may pose several challenges. One of these challenges is passing the required lifeguard training. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to start the training process by registering, researching the types of training required and practicing your swimming skills.
Signing Up:
In order to start the certification process, you have to signup. Many lifeguard companies offer online registration, but you can also reserve a spot over the phone. This part is easy and not stressful at all! Just provide your information, make sure you understand the costs and you will be ready to begin training. Some companies offer discounted training to employees. When choosing a class, be sure you feel confident in your swimming abilities before signing up for your physical training.
Training:
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what training you actually need in order to sit atop the lifeguard chair. There are many different types of courses available, so the choices can be daunting. Take some time to review the training classes available at your company. Don’t be afraid to contact someone at to ask training-related questions – remember that training requirements may differ based on your location and job requirements.
Training offerings that you might see:
- Lifeguard Training Prerequisite
- Lifeguard Training Course
- Lifeguard Blended Learning Course
- Lifeguard Review
- CPR/AED for Lifeguards Review
- CPR/AED for Lifeguards
- Waterfront Skills Module
- Lifeguard Instructor Course
- Pool Operator Course
A new lifeguard usually needs the following:
- Lifeguard Training Prerequisite (if required)
- Lifeguard Training Course
- CPR/AED for Lifeguards
- OSHA Training (only if you’re handling chemicals)
- Blood Bourne Pathogens training
The Brick Test:
In addition to your classroom training, which covers everything from CPR to respecting your patrons, a lifeguard training course may have a required prerequisite test. During this test, you will be required to continuously swim 300 yards, either front crawl or breast stroke. You are also required to tread water for two minutes without the use of your hands. Don’t worry; this isn’t as terrifying as it sounds. Just practice!
Once you’ve demonstrated you can swim, you will be required to complete the Brick Test. This can be tricky.
Here’s what you have to do:
You have 1 minute and 40 seconds to complete the following:
- Swim 20 yards (without goggles) and locate the brick submerged 7-10 feet deep in the pool.
- Surface dive (from the water) either feet or head first and retrieve the brick.
- Swim with the brick back to your starting location holding it throughout the swim. The brick cannot be submerged, and two hands must be holding the brick throughout the swim.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Now here is how I beat the brick:
- When you locate the brick, keep it a bit in front of you so that when you dive down, you will land right on it.
- Dive down headfirst. It will get you there faster.
- Once you pick up the brick, push hard with your feet to propel yourself upward. Then, flutter kick until you reach the surface.
- Next, rest the brick on the upper part of your chest right under your chin and get into the back float position.
- With both hands holding the brick, begin to kick.
- Many people decide to frog kick (the kick used in breaststroke) because it is more powerful, but whichever kick you are more comfortable with will work.
- Now, just kick until you reach the wall. Once you are there, place one hand on the wall and use the other to set the brick down.
- Push yourself up onto the side of the pool, and you are done!
These steps are key to beating the brick test. Just remember to practice, and your start to a lifeguarding career will be a definite success!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole Friedlander is a junior at McDonogh High School in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been a lifeguard for American Pool Enterprises and Guard for Life since she was fifteen, and has loved every minute of it. Between sitting in the sun, helping to keep swimmers safe, saving money for her college fund and fine tuning her work-place skills, she could not think of a better summer job.
Aside from being a lifeguard, she is also a varsity cross country and indoor track runner as well as a year-round lacrosse player. Even with the busy life of a high school student, she finds that lifeguarding fits easily into her schedule and is a rewarding life experience.
In this series, Nicole will share her insight and advice about having a job as a lifeguard. Follow her series here on guardforlife.com, Facebook and Twitter.
Tips for Your Lifeguard Job Interview
Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
A lifeguarding job is one of the most fun, rewarding and profitable summer jobs that a young adult can have. From tanning in the sun to learning lifesaving skills, lifeguarding proves to be a gratifying way to earn money during the warm summer months. But before you can take a seat in a lifeguard chair, you must apply, interview and train. Interviewing for a job like lifeguarding may seem a bit intimidating, possibly even terrifying, so here are some tips that will help ease your interview anxiety.
- Be confident. If you do not believe in yourself, no one will. Before the interview begins, take a few deep breaths and relax. Being calm will be important for a successful interview, but it will also show the recruitment officer that you can stay calm and focused in a stressful situation.
- Be polite. Lifeguards interact with a variety of pool goers on a daily basis, so being personable and respectful to the interviewer is a must. Even if you are young, you will need to conduct yourself in a mature manner. The recruiter will see that you can interact with people professionally and respectfully, no matter the situation.
- Dress up. Be sure to dress in appropriate attire for a job interview. Even though you are applying for a job that only requires casual attire, it is smart to dress in a clean and professional manner to put your best foot forward – without the flip flops.
Still nervous about the lifeguarding interview?
Companies like Guard for Life, an American Pool Enterprises, Inc. lifeguard recruiting brand, help to decrease interviewing anxiety by hosting open house events. With other applicants around you, you will soon forget the stress of your interview. “Open houses allow you to get to know the staff and other lifeguards that are applying in your area,” according to Steve Farley, Coordinating Director of Lifeguard Recruiting for American Pool Enterprises. Steve contests that an open house is a good way to “take care of your in-person interview and your paperwork all at the same event. Some of our Guard for Life locations offer door prizes or uniform discounts at these events.”
In the end, everyone has to go through the same process. Although the thought of interviewing for a job as a lifeguard can be stressful, it is well worth the effort. Remember to be confident, polite and presentable. Also, be on the lookout for open house events where you can meet the staff and other lifeguards. You’ll see that securing a job as a lifeguard isn’t so scary after all.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole Friedlander is a junior at McDonogh High School in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been a lifeguard for American Pool Enterprises and Guard for Life since she was fifteen, and has loved every minute of it. Between sitting in the sun, helping to keep swimmers safe, saving money for her college fund and fine tuning her work-place skills, she could not think of a better summer job.
Aside from being a lifeguard, she is also a varsity cross country and indoor track runner as well as a year-round lacrosse player. Even with the busy life of a high school student, she finds that lifeguarding fits easily into her schedule and is a rewarding life experience.
In this series, Nicole will share her insight and advice about having a job as a lifeguard. Follow her series here on guardforlife.com, Facebook and Twitter.
How a Lifeguard Job Can Help Your College Application
Thursday, February 21st, 2013
Applying to colleges can be more than stressful. Between trying to get excellent SAT scores, making straight A’s, and keeping up with extra-curricular activities, perfecting the college application just seems impossible. And, on top of all of that, the little worry in the back of every teenager’s mind lingers: Will my application stand out?
Most people realize that a great SAT score can really improve one’s chances of gaining entrance into college, but something else can really make an applicant stand out: a job. To admissions personnel, an applicant who has a part-time job shows a higher degree of maturity and independence.
According to Alice Margraff, a college counselor at McDonogh School in Baltimore, “Getting a job shows that a student takes initiative and is willing to spend their time doing something productive. An applicant who works also exhibits traits that would look good on a college resume.”
I don’t have any time to work. I play sports, take SAT prep courses, and I have endless amounts of homework, every teen thinks. Think again. A summer job, like lifeguarding, is the perfect answer to balancing work, school and play.
Being a summer lifeguard is a fun and rewarding job in many ways. For starters, lifeguards get to work while sitting out in the sun (with sunscreen of course); what is better than that? In addition to being enjoyable, a lifeguard job looks great on a college application.
“Lifeguarding requires a lot of skills that would be looked very favorably upon to admissions officers,” Alice Margraff believes. “A lifeguard has to be productive and mature, which are very good qualities to demonstrate [to colleges and universities].”
In order to become a lifeguard, one must get American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED certified. These certifications are an effective way to leave a great impression on an admissions officer. The college or university will be able to infer that an applicant that has worked as a lifeguard has a heightened sense of responsibility and a maturity level that is required in order to handle stressful, life-threatening situations that may occur on the job. Lifeguards, trained to react quickly in emergency situations, are great assets to any college campus.
Additionally, lifeguards exhibit great leadership skills. Lifeguards need to be able to take charge of the patrons of a pool, making sure that everything is running smoothly and safely. These lifeguard leadership skills can impress admissions personnel.
More than just a resume builder, there are more perks in this rewarding job. First, scheduling is personalized and flexible. For example, when working for Guard for Life, the American Pool Enterprises lifeguard brand, lifeguards are able to help shape their schedules online – suggesting the location, shift hours and days they work themselves. Second, lifeguards are able to make money while working on their tans. Lastly, a lifeguard experiences conflict resolution and works on their customer service skills while interacting with patrons at a pool. This skill is not only useful while lifeguarding, but also in everyday life.
So lifeguarding looks good on a college application and is a great job overall, but how will you manage your time? Often balancing work, school, and activities seems utterly impossible. It’s not! The summer job of lifeguarding makes juggling your schedule easier with the help of flexible scheduling and attentive supervisors. On top of all that, a lifeguarding job’s “peak” season is during your vacation.
Overall, as a job that allows you to spend time outdoors and exhibit skills and responsibilities that look great on any college application, lifeguarding seems like a top choice for summer employment. If you are looking for a way to enhance your college application and stand out from a crowd, apply for a job as a lifeguard.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole Friedlander is a junior at McDonogh High School in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been a lifeguard for American Pool Enterprises and Guard for Life since she was fifteen, and has loved every minute of it. Between sitting in the sun, helping to keep swimmers safe, saving money for her college fund and fine tuning her work-place skills, she could not think of a better summer job.
Aside from being a lifeguard, she is also a varsity cross country and indoor track runner as well as a year-round lacrosse player. Even with the busy life of a high school student, she finds that lifeguarding fits easily into her schedule and is a rewarding life experience.
In this series, Nicole will share her insight and advice about having a job as a lifeguard. Follow her series here on guardforlife.com, Facebook and Twitter.
Become a lifeguard in the New Year
Friday, December 28th, 2012
Being a lifeguard is a very rewarding and resume-building job for young people. Surprisingly enough, right after the New Year is the best time to get hired for a lifeguard position. Getting hired early gives one a chance to secure the local pool, get the proper training and get the perks that are offered by locations looking to hire responsible lifeguards.
Call your local office and check on what type of lifeguard training you will need to get started or register for a training course to get your certifications renewed. This part of the hiring process will help secure your spot for your new career as a lifeguard this summer.
So aside from the benefit of just having a job, what are some other benefits?
# 1 — It Is Job Security Regardless Of Location
While this may not be the very most crucial aspect of getting a job in which you could save lives, in today’s competitive job market it sure doesn’t hurt. This is especially true for areas where finding jobs can be more challenging in general. Training as a lifeguard opens doors to jobs even in areas where the job market has been hit hard. Smaller areas such as Lancaster, Pennsylvania or Monroe, New York all provide jobs openings for lifeguards.
# 2 — You Get Your American Red Cross and CPR Certification
You do have to train and earn these certifications, but because they are required to become a lifeguard, it is certainly a plus to have. Even aside from needing them for your job, these two types of trainings and certifications can help you in your professional and personal life. Not to mention, this type of certification makes your resume that much more impressive, even if you are applying for careers not related to the field of lifeguarding.
# 3 — Love What You Do
Too many people spend their day at a job that cannot stand. Even adults and young teens who often take jobs such as retail or fast food to try to gain work experience often end up dreading their workday. Being able to enjoy what you do makes all the difference in your professional and personal life. Besides, few other jobs without college education enable you to go in and potentially save lives each and every day.
# 4 — Great Paying Jobs Can Still Mean Cool Jobs
Most workers make choice between good paying jobs or cool jobs. Working as a lifeguard means fun jobs that still let you earn good money for what the job requires. In fact, for the little amount of training actually required, the pay scale is quite impressive regardless of where you end up working.
# 5 — Learn Lifetime Skills
Above and beyond CPR and how to pull someone who is drowning in water to safety, you pick up even more skills and traits that you get to keep for life. From leadership skills and learning to handle various types of responsibilities, you are prepared for life. Knowing how to work as a member of an important team with others is just one of the skills and traits you acquire from training and working as a lifeguard.
Don’t just read about how rewarding it can be; sign up for training or contact a location on your area to see what’s available. The best lifeguard seats get filled fast, so start your job hunt today.
American Red Cross Certifications for Employment as a Lifeguard
Friday, October 12th, 2012Do you want a shot at guaranteed employment? Become a lifeguard. American Red Cross certifications are a guaranteed way to be ready physically, mentally, and professionally for a career as a lifeguard.
Get Certified
Guard for Life, with American Pool Enterprises, Inc. companies, offer American Red Cross training courses that prepare yourself for a job as a lifeguard. One of the courses offered is the CPR course. The CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) course is a necessity for becoming a lifeguard. In this course you will learn how to assist a person in order to restore their breathing in the event of cardiac arrest or water in their lungs. A CPR course is usually offered with an AED course, or Automated External Defibrillator course. The AED is an instrument which uses electrical currents to attempt to restore heart rhythm in cardiac patients. The combined CPR/AED certificates offered by the American Red Cross are good for two years.
The American Red Cross also offers different lifeguard certifications, which are generally valid for three years. One lifeguard certification course offered is for non-surf lifeguards. American Red Cross certifications like these are generally meant for people who work at public pools as lifeguards. If you plan on working as a lifeguard at a beach, it is important to take a lifeguard lesson specifically aimed for surf. The water and waves on a beach require a different kind of training and preparation than the normal still waters of a pool.
The American Red Cross also offers the waterfront lifeguard training course. This lifeguard training course is aimed for those who wish to be lifeguards at a lake or large area of open water. You can also take lifeguard training courses for lifeguard management. All of the lifeguard training courses, however, will give you the skills needed to handle your job professionally – with skill and confidence.
Get Physical
In order to prepare yourself for the lifeguard training course, it is imperative you are physically ready and able to meet the swim requirements. To start, you’ll swim 300 yards continuously – demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. You must swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Next, you will place your hands under your armpits and tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs. Lastly, you need to complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface. You should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Becoming a lifeguard will earn you a set of skills that you will be able to use throughout your entire life. Cities like Annapolis Maryland, Bethlehem Pennsylvania and Monroe NY have different requirements for certification. So be sure to check your local city and state laws for license and American Red Cross Lifeguard certifications renewal times.
Lifeguards Compete in Mid-Atlantic Championship
Wednesday, July 25th, 2012
REHOBOTH BEACH — A “victim” is at a buoy in the ocean, approximately 150 meters from the shore.
A “rescuer” attached to a landline swims out to meet the “victim.”
Once they meet and the victim’s arm is raised, two lifeguards on land pull the landline to bring the victim and rescuer back to shore.
It’s all timed and in the end, there’s a winner: whoever finishes the task the quickest.
This is known as a landline rescue race, and it’s one of nine events lifeguards from Virginia to New York came to Rehoboth Beach to partake in Wednesday during the United States Lifesaving Association’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
“It’s a good community of lifeguards we have all along the East Coast,” said Jordan Lingo of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol. “Everyone takes their jobs very seriously and they like to compete. It’s definitely an exciting event.”
The events are designed to test the lifeguards’ skills and strengths and emulate the day-to-day experience of being on a beach patrol.
“It keeps everyone in top guard, working out for competitions,” said Sgt. Rick Cawthern of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
“It also helps us promote safety on our beaches.”
The landline rescue race was a popular pick when beach patrol members were asked which event was their favorite. That rescue method is used when victims need to be rescued in rough surf.
“It really separates the men from the boys in this one,” said Troy Cannatelli of the Dewey Beach Patrol. “It’s not just the strongest guys or the guys with the most endurance. It’s really who can maintain the strength for the full three-, four-minute pull, which is really difficult toward the end. You really get gassed.”
Other events include runs and swims, a rescue board race, and beach flags an event in which competitors line up facing down in the sand, and then on the start command, the competitors rise, turn and sprint to flags 20 meters away.
…Continue Reading at DelmarvaNow.com
News & Updates
Meet The 2012 U.S. Olympic Swim Team
Get Educated About Rip Currents
Lifeguards Train for Olympic Trials
Meet The 2012 U.S. Olympic Swim Team
Wednesday, July 18th, 2012by Ryan Hudson
After eight days in Omaha, the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Swimming reached its conclusion, and with it came the official roster announcement from USA Swimming.
The men’s side is led, obviously, by Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Phelps, a 16-time medalist, will compete in four individual events in London (200m IM, 400m IM, 100m fly and 200m fly), the same number as Lochte (200m back, 200m IM, 400m IM and 200m free). The rivals could face each other in two finals, while also competing together on the relay teams.
On the women’s side, 17-year-old Missy Franklin qualified in four individual events, and Allison Schmitt will swim three competitions in London.
In addition to the 49 swimmers named to the team for the 2012 Summer Olympics, USA Swimming also tabbed the coaches for London: The men’s staff consists of head coach Gregg Troy and assistant coaches Bob Bowman, David Marsh and Eddie Reese; The women’s head coach is Teri McKeever, and the assistant coaches are Dave Salo, Todd Schmitz and Steve Bultman. Tim Murphy is the head open water coach.
The full team will head to Knoxville, Tenn., on July 7, for training camp in advance of traveling to London. The Olympic swimming competition takes place between July 28 and August 4 at the London Aquatic Centre, with the women’s and men’s open water 10K set for Aug. 9 and 10, respectively, at the Serpentine at Hyde Park.
The 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team:
Men:
Alex Meyer – 10K Open Water
Ryan Lochte – 200 Back, 200 IM, 400m IM, 200 Free, 800 Free Relay
Peter Vanderkaay – 400 Free
Brendan Hansen – 100 Breast
Michael Phelps – 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 800 Free Relay
Women:
Haley Anderson – 10K Open Water
Elizabeth Beisel – 200 Backstroke, 400 IM
Dana Vollmer – 100 Fly, 800 Free Relay
Allison Schmitt – 400 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay
Missy Franklin – 100 Free, 100m Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, 200 Free, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay
…For the full list visit SB Nation
News & Updates
Get Educated About Rip Currents
Lifeguards Train for Olympic Trials
CPR Emergency | May is National Water Safety Month
Get Educated About Rip Currents
Friday, July 6th, 2012
Many people are heading to the nation’s beaches to enjoy some time at the shore this summer. The American Red Cross urges awareness of hidden dangers which can be present in the ocean – rip currents – and what to do if caught up in these strong underwater currents.
Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by beach lifeguards. The greatest safety precaution people can take is to know the danger of rip currents, and always swim at beaches with lifeguards. If someone is caught in a rip current, they should remember the following:
- Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
- Never fight against the current.
- Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle – away from the current – toward shore.
- If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
- If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures
Lifeguards Train for Olympic Trials
Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
OMAHA, Neb. -For one week this summer, Omaha will be at the center of the competitive swimming universe.
More than 1,000 Olympic hopefuls will be in town trying for a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team that will compete in the summer games in Great Britain.
Although these are some of the top athletes in the world, someone has to be charged with keeping them safe.
“An accident can happen at any time,” said Dayle Nervig, Prairie Life Fitness water supervisor.
The chance to watch over greats such as Michael Phelps is what made lifeguard Jake Kruger volunteer to work at Omaha’s Olympic Trials.
“Last time, when the trials were here, I had a really good time watching, and I wanted to see what it was like behind the scenes,” he said.
Kruger is one of about 40 certified lifeguards who plan to work at the week-long event. Guarding part of two pools inside Omaha’s CenturyLink Center should be a far cry from the practice pool at Brownell Talbot where the lifeguards are training.
“It’s intense,” said lifeguard Amanda Kettle. “I never really thought you’d need to jump in at all, but during practice, when they’re in the practice pools, they collide a lot.”
Coordinators said the practice time is invaluable for the lifeguards.