When many people think of lifeguards they think of the the TV show, Baywatch," but I can tell you first hand that lifeguarding is not really like the show. It's exhausting and can be hard at times when it comes to dealing with difficult patrons but it can also be a really fun job. I mean you are basically getting paid to people-watch, get a tan and you are trained to save lives if you ever need to.This is my second summer working as a lifeguard at The Beach at Clayton County International Park and I've come to realize that there are some life lessons that can be learned from this job no matter what kind of facility you work in. There are a ton of lessons that I could have chosen but I believe that these five are very significant.
1. Working as a team.
Being a lifeguard means that you are part of a facilities safety team, which includes other lifeguards, facility managers and public safety personnel. During your certification class you really get to know your co-workers well. I mean you are pretending to save their lives and perform CPR and all. Teammates look out for each other so if one of your fellow lifeguards jump into the water to make a save you should provide them with back-up coverage by watching their zone, or, if needed, help with the save. I can honestly say that I trust that that my co-workers would be there for me if something was to happen to me while at work.
2. Wear sunscreen.
Do I even have to elaborate? If you are not inside of a rec center, then you are probably going to be outside for many hours so it's important to protect your skin from the sun. Also awkward swimsuit tan lines are a thing so do not be surprised when you get them. They will probably not go away for awhile.
3. CPR and first aid skills.
These are two very important skills that can save someone’s life anywhere. During your certification class you should learn them and go over a bunch of different scenarios that should prepare you in the event of a real emergency.
4. Patience.
This one I learned very quickly after being cussed out when I told a patron that her son was too tall for the kiddie pool during my second day of work. I was kind of taken back at first, but I soon got used to people being upset at me for enforcing my facility’s rules because it happened multiple times. You need to be patient with people and not get angry at them when they cuss you out.
5. Emergencies can happen at any time so it's best to always be prepared.
A big part of lifeguarding is preventative lifeguarding, which means that you should try to prevent emergencies from happening, (Examples are telling kids to walk instead of run so they do not slip and fall; making sure that weak swimmers do not go into deep water, etc.). Sometimes though emergencies do happen, (people drowning, sudden illness, injuries, etc.), and it is best to know how to spot one and how to react to it. Most facilities should have an emergency action plan (EAP) that tells everyone what their role is in the event of an emergency, (for example, how to notify the other lifeguards if you are entering the water to make a save), and this plan should be practiced often so that everyone is prepared.
