Lifeguarding is a great profession if you love to do multitasking and it pays decently for everything that you do while your shift is going on, therefore, you must enroll yourself in a lifeguard training program if you want to bring some action into your life. Not that you did not already have your fair share of action while living in the United States of America, but you should give this occupation a try if you want to see how different people act around a water body. If you want an insight into what your responsibilities are going to be upon getting appointed as a lifeguard, then please keep reading the following points.
1. MANAGE THE CLEANLINESS OF BEACH AND POOL
It might sound weird to you if you had imagined lifeguards as the saviors of the beach-dwellers as that is not what their job is all about. Yes, the job of a lifeguard is not restricted to just keeping an eye over the people who come to the beach or the pool. They also have to participate in the cleanliness of both the places, that is, the beach and the pool and that too with utmost sincerity. The cleanliness of the beach and pool is a task which might make you think over your decision of becoming a lifeguard, but no job in the world is a pitiful job and that is lifeguards do not mind contributing towards the cleanliness of the beach and the pool.
2. BEING PRESENT FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THE FACILITIES
The job of a lifeguard also includes opening and closing the swimming pool or beaches for the visitors, and they are supposed to be there way before any of the visitors arrive. Apart from that, they also have to partake in some administrative activities of the beach or the pool to make sure that the space is safe for the public.
3. PARTAKE IN ADMINISTRATION OF BEACH AND POOL
An extension to the above-mentioned point, lifeguards have to participate in different administrative activities which would make the beach a better, cleaner and safer place for everyone. Their involvement in administrative activities adds value to their resume and when they apply for a job at some other place, the contribution they made towards the administration pays. Therefore, it is recommended that you should also take part in administrative activities once you get selected as a lifeguard at either a reputed beach or a pool.
4. TRAINING AND LOOKING AFTER THE SWIMMERS
There are going to be a lot of swimmers which you would encounter as a lifeguard and the responsibility to teach them falls on you, so you have to be around them and teach them. Apart from that, it is your job to look after them when they go to swim because the new swimmers are always at a risk of drowning.
5. PLAN THEIR ACTIONS AS PER THE WEATHER REPORTS
Weather reports have to be analyzed by lifeguards and after that they have to guide people about what they are allowed to do and what is prohibited on that particular day on the beach. Apart from that, they have to set up flags on their high chairs according to the movement and intensity of sea waves.
6. GETTING RECERTIFIED
The process of lifeguard recertification is not at all complex as there are only a few simple steps required and that too when the expiry date of your lifeguarding certificate is way past its grace period. Once that grace period is over, things might become a bit complicated, but it is hundred percent certain that you would not face any kind of difficulties while getting recertified.
7. DETOXIFYING THE WATER OF POOL
A lot of people participate in different games and activities in and around the pool, and some of those activities are not quite hygienic. Such activities are infamous for compromising the cleanliness of the pool and there is not much that a lifeguard can do to stop them from happening, but still the responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of water in the pool falls upon the shoulders of the lifeguard. So as a lifeguard, your job will also involve detoxifying the water of all the nasty stuff that has contaminated the pool and thereby providing the next lot of visitors a cleaner and safer pool.
If you want to know more about what different things a lifeguard has to deal with, then you must try visiting the American Lifeguard Association as they have everything that you need to know about lifeguarding such as the things lifeguards enjoy, how they deal with serious situations, what they have to do when things go south, etc. Apart from that, you can always turn to the internet and read reviews about what lifeguards think about their jobs and then make your mind about joining this profession that requires focus, dedication, physical fitness and a responsible attitude.