- The sound of a whistle: If the sound of a whistle hasn’t haunted you yet, give it time — I’m sure it will. You know you are a true lifeguard when you start to hear a whistle even in your sleep.
- Tan lines: You have given up on trying to get equal tan lines over the summer. If your bathing suit hasn’t left its mark, your guard shirt sure will. My favorite look is the raccoon eyes when you have left your sunglasses on far too long.
- The smell of chlorine: The pool smells of chlorine, the building smells of chlorine, you smell of chlorine, everything smells of chlorine. You can try as you might but it seems you can’t shower enough to get rid of the smell.
- The weather app: You know you’re a lifeguard when the thought of rain gets you excited and thunder makes you even happier. However, if the weather app says it will rain, don’t bank on it — odds are it won’t. It seems like the only time it rains over the summer is when the pool is actually closed or it’s your day off.
- No running, no jumping, no diving: This phrase will be repeated at least 1,000 times a day. If I had a dollar for every time these dreaded words have left my mouth, I could take a trip around the world. I think all the signs around the pool are invisible and only the guards can actually see them.
- Lap swimmers: Nothing screams boredom more than watching a lap swimmer. My head starts to feel like a pendulum.
- The bottom of the pool or the abyss: I don’t know how half of the stuff at the bottom of the pool makes its way down there. From condoms, to jewelry, to food — it will forever remain a mystery.
- Parents: It wouldn’t be a summer if you don’t get yelled at by a parent. Some parents think your second job is being a babysitter, and they really don’t like to hear it when you say you are not. Sometimes it’s hard for a parent to get in the water with their child. Did I mention every child is a sweetheart that abides by the rules?
- Children: The sound of a child's laughter sends shivers down your spin. If anyone says children are innocent, adorable creatures, they obviously have never been a lifeguard. I can’t begin to tell you the crazy things these kids do to the pool or in the building. Let me just say they leave destruction wherever they may be.
- You don’t remember ever being hired as a janitor: Cleaning the bathrooms is always an adventure. Clogged toilets, drawings on the stall, feminine products left on the floor and even fecal matter that is definitely where it shouldn’t be.
- Drama: There is always drama within the staff. This lifeguard is dating this lifeguard, or this lifeguard doesn’t like this lifeguard for x number of reasons. If MTV was smart, they would make a reality TV show about lifeguards. I’m sure it would be a hit.
- No matter what, you love being a lifeguard: Being a lifeguard is one of the best decisions you have ever made. For every struggle you face there are 100 more blessings on why you always stay. You have gained a new family within your coworkers, even if they sometimes are a pain. You have learned so much about yourself and your community. You will never have a job like this again, so enjoy each summer while you have it.
Health and WellnessJul 04, 2016
12 Struggles Of A Summer Lifeguard
You know you're a lifeguard when rain gets you excited.
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