How do *you* make lifeguarding bearable?

Question

Let's face it; being a lifeguard has got to be the most mindnumbingly boring jobs on the planet. Besides entering data into a computer, or some c**p like that.

What do you do to keep yourself entertained as you watch swimmers complete lap after lap after lap? Memorize credit card numbers for fun? Betch to yourself about the weather?

I'd like to hear your answers. As the swimming season approaches, I'd like some tips and tricks for getting through those long shifts.

Answer 1

twirl your whistel and think of your friends that have really S****y jobs

Answer 2

well my way is certainly fun, but might not necessarily be legal.

its always fun to unload an entir round of paintballs in the swimmers.

its also fun to kick everyone out of the pool because "you heard thunder" then when everyone goes home: nap time.

******

Answer 3

Think about all the things you love about life

Listen to music in your mind

Answer 4

i text when no one's looking and i sing songs to myself

Answer 5

haha I'm involved in marching band, concert band and pep band. So when ever I lifeguard I usually hum all those songs that lasts for 2 1/2 hours. Also I label swimmers like...

wrinkly patron- leepresson

kid whose annoying-dummy5.6

kid who thinks their all that-Dory

person who swims 2000 yards-doughnut lover

kid who splashes-splashy

kid whose really bad-kicked out in 321 (OUT OF THE POOL NOW)

Also I'll talk to the water, and chew the c**p out of my whistle

Answer 6

Howdy.  I've been a Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor, Lifeguard Supervisor, etc., for more than 30 years.  And yes, it can in fact be extremely boring.  It takes a really high degree of mental toughness to be able to continue to be an effective Lifeguard over time.

One problem with previous answers here is that they tend to emphasize 'distraction' as a way of occupying your mind.  That is not correct, and in fact could be an invitation to disaster.  The trick to being an effective lifeguard is to keep focus of your job:  that is, watching your swimmers/pool-users and keeping them safe.  If you are thinking of other things that doesn't cut it!

One of the things I've done in the past is to vary my scanning technique.  Rather than watching my area in a circular pattern, or whatever you usually use, vary that.  I scan my pool area with the 'alphabet', for instance.  First I'll cover the Area with an 'A' pattern, then a 'B' pattern, and so on.  Also, remember to focus on both the surface and the bottom of the pool in sequence.  

Another thing I do is to imagine emergency scenarios and how I would respond to them.  'What If's' help keep your mind sharp and keep you ready to act.  "What if that guy in the corner suddenly paniced and started to go under, what would I do?"  Things like that.

I have always maintained that the job of a pool lifeguard is significantly more difficult than that of a beach lifeguard.  Not physically, but certainly mentally.  The beach lifeguard shows up for duty with the idea that there is a really good chance that he or she will be in the water one or more times during their shift, making an assist or a rescue.  That helps keep them sharp.  Conversely, because swimming pools are relatively safe to begin with, the pool lifeguard knows that it is pretty unlikely that he or she will be making a rescue.  

HOWEVER, it is very important to remember that when the time comes, the Pool Lifeguard must be able to react just as quickly, just as effectively, and just as professionally as the beach lifeguard.  That's where the mental toughness comes in.  You need to be ready to act at all times.  Distraction is NOT the way to do that!