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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.
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.
Ocean City lifeguards win Cape May County title for 13th time in 28 years
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
WILDWOOD CREST – Dylan Kosten’s busy night helped the Ocean City Beach Patrol win the Cape May County Lifeguard Championships on Sunday.
Kosten and partner Andrew Mockaitis were second to Avalon in the doubles row and Kosten returned to get third in the singles, a race won by Avalon’s Erich Wolf.
Then Kosten finished up by anchoring Ocean City to victory in the surf dash, giving O.C. its only win and the team championship by one point over Wildwood Crest.
“We thought about (winning the team title) before the surf dash because we knew we had the doubles row tiebreaker over the Crest if it ended up tied,” said Kosten, a 22-year-old sixth-year lifeguard. “Our surf dash won last year with practically the same lineup. The difference was my brother (Ian Kosten, a substitute).”
Ocean City, the defending champion, has won the Cape May County title 13 of its 28 years. Ocean City finished with 19 points, and Wildwood Crest was second with 18. Stone Harbor didn’t win a race but finished third with 17 points. Avalon was fourth with 16.
The crowd at the Rambler Road beach had kept a special watch on Wildwood Crest’s John Maloy and Avalon lifeguard Shane McGrath.
The event was postponed Friday due to lightning. The delay meant that the County Championships would be held the day before today’s exhausting Superathlon in Cape May, and Maloy and McGrath figured to be two of the top contenders at both events. Would they pace themselves at the County Championships? How many races would they enter Sunday?
Maloy delighted the hometown crowd with back-to-back victories in the swim and the run-swim, and McGrath won the doubles row with partner Craig Whitehead to start the evening.
But ultimately the day belonged to Ocean City’s Kosten, who will be in his first Superathlon today.
The O.C. surf-dash team consisted of Tony Mehalic, Dan Casey and the Kosten brothers. Ian Kosten took the team from sixth place to third with his third leg and Dylan Kosten, a rower and swimmer, won it with his anchor.
“I went a little south to stay out of a hole (on the surf dash course),” Dylan Kosten said. “I wanted to get to the flag and get back as fast as I can. I’m an OK runner. I never ran track except in grade school, but my dad (Paul) ran track. I do the best I can, and I focus on one thing at a time. First it was the rows, then the surf dash, and now it’s the Super. I did my best in the rows, but Avalon was better.”
Ocean City won the county title for the eighth time since 2001.
“We showed our depth today,” said Jeff Garbutt, an OCBP senior lieutenant and coach. “We have a lot of people on our patrol and we used some new guys today and they stepped up. This is a great event and we always love coming here. It’s like the Daytona 500, the first event of the season.”
In the doubles row, Avalon’s Whitehead and McGrath led Ocean City by two-boatlengths and held on after O.C. caught a little wave.
“It was nice rowing,” said Whitehead, the bow. “It felt like an early-season row, and there’s room for improvement, but we were happy about it.”
Wolf, a 13th-year lifeguard, held off Stone Harbor’s Darrick Kobierowski in the singles race to win by just more than two seconds.
“It’s nice to win on opening day, whether its baseball or rowing,” Wolf, 25, said. “I know what good rowers Ocean City and Stone Harbor are, but I had to row my own race. I was a little worried about not being in good enough shape, since I was teaching at Simon Gratz High School (in Philadelphia) until two weeks ago. I do my best to stay in shape when I’m there.”
Maloy easily won the swim, and with about 10 minutes of rest, he won the run-swim by more than a minute.
“The points are what it’s all about,” Maloy said. “I do what I can for the team. The Superathlon is for the team, too, but this was a situation where I want to help us as much as I can. I think I had too much on my plate last year (doing three races and only winning one.). I felt good today.”
Sea Isle City’s Jeff Buyse was battling with Ocean City’s Dan Callaghan as the paddleboard part of the rescue-board race neared its end in the box-course race. Buyse caught a wave and got ahead. Buyse did a pretty good 150-yard run to the finish line and won by 10 yards.
Visit pressofatlanticcity.com to view the scoring results and to read the rest of this article.
News & Updates
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First leg of lifeguard championships to take place in Ocean City
Friday, July 8th, 2011
Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguards hope to keep their title as the top guards in the region during the upcoming championships to be held in the resort and in New Jersey in the coming weeks.
For the second year in a row, Ocean City is one of two host locations for the United States Lifesaving Association Mid-Atlantic Regional Lifeguard Championships. The running and swimming events will take place in the resort July 13 on the beach behind the Stowaway Grand Hotel at 21st Street, and the watercraft portion will take place July 20, in Cape May, N.J.
Ocean City’s lifeguards will go into the competition as the reigning champs, after a come-from-behind victory in 2010. Sgt. Ryan Cowder, one of the organizers of the team and a competitor himself, said the guards have been training hard and hope to fight off their contenders to keep their spot at the top.
“We’re looking forward to hosting again. We’re trying to repeat, but it’s going to be a lot more difficult to win this year,” he said. “Last year was the first year we got really organized, and put our best foot forward. Now everybody sees that we’re obviously serious about it. Now we have a bull’s-eye on.”
Last year, 255 competitors from nearly 40 different beach patrols from eight states competed in eight different beach and water events, and Cowder expects at least that many participants this year. Most of the competitors come from Delaware and New Jersey beach patrols, because of their close proximity to Ocean City.
The events include a 2-kilometer beach run, 400-meter ocean swim, swimmer rescue race, a landline event, a rescue board race, a run-swim-run, a beach relay race and the favorite, an event called “beach flags.”
In that contest, competitors lay facedown in the sand. At the sound of a whistle, they must jump up and grab a flag out of the sand in an area behind them. The catch? There is one fewer flag than there are competitors.
“One of the most entertaining events is the beach flags. People line up on the seawall to watch,” Cowder said.
Around 25 OCBP lifeguards have been training for the different events since the beginning of the summer and will be competing in the various challenges. The team includes veteran guards who have competed in past years and rookies who are strong in certain events, and the female guards give the team a surprising strength, Cowder said.
“Our women’s team is really strong. I think that comes with the standards we set for being a guard on the Ocean City Beach Patrol. The women have to meet the exact same vigorous certifications as the men do,” he said.
Cowder said the team has focused on practicing with the large equipment like the boats and paddleboards, because the guards rarely use those items during their day-to-day duties. All their training takes place in the evenings, outside the lifeguarding hours.
The events will begin at 11 a.m. and run until 4 or 5 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer on the Ocean City lifeguards on their home turf.
“We know we’re one of the top agencies in the country lifeguarding-wise, and we also want to be competition-wise. Our goal, of course, is to stay No. 1 and put our best foot forward,” Cowder said.
Originally posted on oceancitytoday.net.
News & Updates
College hiring returns after two-year lull
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Avoid swimmer’s ear this Summer 2011
Monday, June 13th, 2011By Molly Beck
At the evening Aquasize class at Springfield (Ill.) Racquet and Fitness Center, students drip out of the pool shaking their heads like dogs, attempting to wring out.
Swim team coach Ocie Glover said this act isn’t just to get dry — it’s a preventative measure from summer’s most painful affliction: swimmer’s ear.
“It’s just water that’s left in the ear — it can happen any time, but people associate it with summer because kids are swimming,” said Glover, 20.
Glover’s team is asked to wear swimming caps to prevent this painful ear infection.
“Some kids get annoyed with them being over the ears,” she said.
The infection isn’t too common on her team because of those caps. However, the ailment is a bit more common across the country.
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal that results in an estimated 2.4 million health care visits every year and nearly half a billion dollars in health care costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Tracy Milbrandt, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, said doctors at the university hospital start seeing a string of children with the painful earache about two or three weeks into summer break.
“It’s pretty common. It’s an infection or irritation of the skin in the ear canal. It’s typically caused when water repeatedly gets trapped … kids who are doing a lot of swimming (experience it) also because of having a wax plug, and water gets trapped behind the wax plug,” Milbrandt said.
Don’t ignore symptoms
While anyone can contract the infection, children are treated for it most often, Milbrandt said, simply because they’re swimming in water more often during the summer.
Symptoms include an itchy or painful ear canal, different from a regulation middle ear infection because the ear will be painful to push or tug. Yellow or green, sometimes foul-smelling, drainage may be present, too, Milbrandt said.
Swimmer’s ear cannot be spread from one person to another.
Antibiotic ear drops are the usual treatment, frequently clearing up the infection within a week.
“It can get more serious, if (kids) kind of ignore (the symptoms). You can get a deeper infection of the tissue, causing (kids) to be pretty ill,” Milbrandt said.
If that occurs, fever or more severe ear pain may develop.
“We usually say to try to avoid swimming (while using the ear drops),” she said.
Swimming in open water increases the risk of developing the infection because lakes and ponds have higher bacterial densities.
To prevent the infection, Milbrandt suggests avoiding using Q-Tips or similar cotton swabs because the swabs simply push earwax deeper into the ear. That increases the chance of forming a wax plug to trap water.
Shaking water out of your ear after swimming will help.
If a child is prone to swimmer’s ear, Milbrandt suggests creating a 1-to-1 mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar to drop into the child’s ear if water is trapped.
Originally posted on Carthagepress.com.
News & Updates
How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?
Did you know about these fun June 2011 “holidays”?
Guard for Life Facebook Fan Giveaway! Like us today!
The American Red Cross Says it’s Important to be a Strong Swimmer this Summer 2011
How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?
Saturday, June 11th, 2011
For many, summer is upon us and that means more sun exposure to soak up vitamin D. There has been a lot of debate over the amount needed to be sufficient in the body, and in the June, 2011 Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Endocrine Society has deemed levels between 40-60ng/mL to be necessary. Are your levels good enough?
Vitamin D is commonly absorbed through our skin via the sunlight when we are outside without sunscreen. Some foods, such as milk, might be fortified with vitamin D but otherwise it is a difficult nutrient to acquire. Many adults and children too find themselves needing an extra supplement to get the boost they need even in sunny states because sunscreen and clothing blocks most vitamin D exposure.
Many laboratories show the lower limit to be at 30ng/mL however research is showing that higher levels are protective against autoimmune disease, cardiovascular problems, certain cancers such as colorectal cancer, muscle pains, bone problems like osteoporosis, and seasonal depression. The Endocrine Society believes you may need between 1,500-2,000IU of vitamin D everyday to raise your low levels and not to exceed 4,000IU per day in adults without your health care provider’s direction. As an example, those with very low levels may need up to 10,000IU per day and some health care providers prescribe 50,000IU per week with repeated lab monitoring.
The test of choice is the 25 hydroxy vitamin D otherwise abbreviated as 25(OH)D3. Remember that vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, therefore it can become toxic if levels elevate and it does require some fat for better absorption.
If you aren’t taking vitamin D, then talk with your health care provider about getting tested. It is a simple blood test that is often covered through insurance. If your numbers are below 40ng/mL, begin the appropriate supplementation to help keep your body at optimal amounts.
View original post and references here.
Please be safe and healthy this summer! Sunscreen, hydration, and healthy foods will keep you happy and alert on the job. Make sure to always consult with a doctor before taking any supplements.
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Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
We have reached our goal of 1500+ Facebook fans!
News & Updates
The American Red Cross Says it’s Important to be a Strong Swimmer this Summer 2011
Top tips to stay cool in the summer heat!
The American Red Cross Says it’s Important to be a Strong Swimmer this Summer 2011
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011Local Denver news station and the American Red Cross emphasize strong swimming skills at the start of the 2011 swimming season.
If you are looking for a summer job where you can earn good money, receive training, improve your resume and have fun, then you should APPLY NOW.
We have Lifeguarding Jobs and Offer Lifeguard Training in: Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Georgia (GA), Maryland (MD), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Pennsylvania (PA), Virginia (VA)
News & Updates
Top tips to stay cool in the summer heat!
Memorial Day Weekend Kicks Off The 2011 Summer Pool Season
Top tips to stay cool in the summer heat!
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
Keeping cool when temperatures reach record highs isn’t just about comfort. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The following tips can help you keep cool all summer long.
Alter your pattern of outdoor exercise to take advantage of cooler times (early morning or late evening). If you can’t change the time of your workout, scale it down by doing fewer minutes, walking instead or running, or decreasing your level of exertion.
Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color.
Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.
Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.
Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you’re ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you’ll have a supply of cold water with you.
Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water.
Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes.
Some people swear by small, portable, battery-powered fans. At an outdoor event I even saw a version that attaches to a water bottle that sprays a cooling mist.
I learned this trick from a tennis pro: if you’re wearing a cap or hat, remove it and pour a bit of ice cold water into the hat, then quickly invert it and place on your head.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won’t have to cook next to a hot stove.
If you don’t have air-conditioning, arrange to spend at least parts of the day in a shopping mall, public library, movie theater, or other public space that is cool. Many cities have cooling centers that are open to the public on sweltering days.
Finally, use common sense. If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don’t forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too.
Originally posted on Medicinenet.com.
News & Updates
Memorial Day Weekend Kicks Off The 2011 Summer Pool Season
Memorial Day Weekend Welcomes Swimming Season
Memorial Day Weekend Kicks Off The 2011 Summer Pool Season
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011While summer doesn’t officially start until mid-June, Memorial Day Weekend traditionally marks the un-official start to the summer season. American Pool Enterprises, Inc. opened an additional 1,500 commercial pools this past weekend and are currently employing more than 5,000 lifeguards, with more job opportunities available.
American Pool Enterprises, Inc. has spent much of the spring preparing swimming pools for this past weekend. Memorial Day has traditionally marked the un-official start to summer and the official kick-off to the outdoor swimming pool season. In addition to making sure that the swimming pools are repaired, cleaned and opened on time, American Pool Enterprises, Inc. has also spent a good part of the spring months hiring and training our lifeguard staff. Hiring over 5,000 lifeguards for this 2011 season, APEI has been busy instructing their entire lifeguard staff on how to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for all patrons of the swimming pools they service.
As the current recession drags on and many people are finding themselves unemployed, American Pool Enterprises, Inc. is offering what many companies currently cannot – available jobs. Before the season is over, APEI will have hired over 5,000 lifeguards and there are job opportunities currently still available. Offering flexible hours, with both full and part-time positions, the company hopes to help those in need of a job by providing the rewarding opportunity to become a lifeguard. Employment is available to anyone at least 15-years-old who becomes certified by a nationally recognized program. American Pool Enterprises currently offers free or discounted training to all its employees. Training information and an employment application is available at www.guardforlife.com. Lifeguard positions are available in the following locations: Long Island, NY; Hudson Valley, NY; Manhattan; New Jersey; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Baltimore; Ocean City, MD; Atlanta; Raleigh, NC; Woodbridge, VA; Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas.
When asked about their first weekend on the job, one lifeguard responded on the Guard for Life Facebook Page, “[It was] absolutely wonderful!” and another told us, “I love my job!”
There are many perks to being a lifeguard for the American Pool Enterprises, Inc. and large part of these is the Summer to Win promotion they’re offering. Lifeguards employed by APEI will be eligible to win one of 100 prizes totaling over $65,000 in value. The contest is a follow-up to the company’s successful $15,000 cash and prize giveaway in 2010 and the 2009 Guard for Life, Ride for Life promotion where a New Jersey lifeguard won a new 2009 Chevrolet Aveo.
About American Pool Enterprises, Inc.
American Pool Enterprises, Inc. is the largest commercial swimming pool management, swimming pool maintenance and recreational facility management operation in the United States. Headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, American Pool Enterprises, Inc. has 23 branches in 14 U.S. States, the District of Columbia as well as a location in Canada.
Swimming Pool Management is a complete turn-key service that APEI provides commercial properties with pool opening, maintenance, lifeguard management and repairs/renovations if they’re needed. APEI is one source that covers all aspects of swimming pool care. With $12 million in General Liability Insurance coverage, APEI removes the liability from the facility owner. Lifeguards trained by American Pool Enterprises, Inc. are thoroughly instructed using American Red Cross standards. Their safety-focused approach to pool management is accomplished in part due to Safety Audits, which are unannounced visits at the site-level testing guards on rescue skills, injury prevention and patron surveillance.
For more information on APEI, please visit www.americanpool.com
News & Updates
Memorial Day Weekend Welcomes Swimming Season
Higher risk of less experienced swimmers this weekend!