How do you become a lifeguard?

Question

How do you become a lifeguard?

Answer 1

First you need to: be able to swim and dive, physically fit, and responsible. Next the certification process.

I was certificed at Red Cross. That entitles taking a course[varies in length], training on an AED, CRP and firstaid, then testing. The tests usually include you controlling a situation with a victim, crowd, and treating the victim. Its alot of medical stuff to memorize, which aLOT of people dont know about lifeguards. They think we just yell at people but when it comes time to sav their life, we are the first defense. Anyway....

The job is very rewarding if you would follow thru with it. It kind of freaks you out that you might have to save someone, but I RARLY do. I've only made one rescuse [which BTW wasnt neccesary bc the child wasnt drowning, but the mother thought otherwise], one broken arm, one allergic reatcion and a few cuts. Nothing major. Most of your day consists of sitting around... We usually get paid low low low $. I'm at minimum wage, but just starting at the new pool. Usually you get paid more if your a senior lifeguard of head lifegaurd, which entitles more responsibility [checking pool levels, supervising guards and other employees etc].

Bottomline is its a great job that I really enjoy and most otherr gaurds do too. It brings alot of responsibility, but gives alot of respect and pride.

P.S. Red Cross certifications only last 3 years, so I suggest taking American Heart or somewhere else after you get certified the first time.

Answer 2

ussually you have to take the lifeguard course (you can usually take it wherever you take swimming lessons), depending on how good of a swimmer you are you might have to take swimming lessons first, to get to the level required. then you take the life guard test. I don't know if the still let you do it, but I was able to just pay the fee for the course and challenge the test. The requirements are fairly easy to find,  if you can do every thing required its a lot quicker this way. If you can't, take the course