People often have an idealized view of what it is like to be a lifeguard. They often think the job is just a fun easy way to pass the time in the summer. Only people who have worked as a guard truly understand the ups and downs of the job and are bonded by their understanding and the long hours they work together.

1. Tan lines.

When people think lifeguard they automatically assume that person must get super tan. Sure, if you have skin that tans, this job will give you that. But your tan is more reflective of your work uniform than anything else. Most lifeguards understand the struggle of the sunglasses, flip flop and one piece bathing suit tan that just doesn’t seem to go away -- no matter how hard you try.

2. The love of thunder.

Thunderstorms in summer are usually dreaded by non lifeguards. However, to those watching the pool thunder brings freedom. Thunder allows us to get a break from guarding and the large crowds that fill the pool on hot summer days. We pray for thunder just so we can have an easier day at work.

3. Fear of air horns.

To the average person, an air horn is just an annoying loud noise. However, lifeguards are trained to drop everything when they hear that noise and run to help in the face of an emergency. An air horn is a dreaded noise, because emergencies are obviously something we don’t want to happen, but when they do, even if we aren’t at work we can’t help but be ready to spring into action.

4. Our reaction to running children.

To be honest, the majority of my time spent as a lifeguard is yelling at children not to run on the pool deck and enforcing all the other rules in the facility. We do this so much that it’s really easy to slip into work mode and yell at random unsuspecting children running in places that are not the pool.

5. Smell of sunscreen and chlorine.

In the summer, no matter how many showers I take, I continuously smell like a mixture of sunscreen and chlorine. The smell is haunting, and it immediately makes me think of sitting on the lifeguard stand in the blistering heat and jumping in the pool for a few moments of relief.

6. Lack of desire to go to the pool

Many people see the pool as a fun destination to spend time in during the summer. But if you are a lifeguard you most likely spend so much time there that the last place you want to visit on your day off is the place you work, even if it seems fun to others.

7. Love/hate relationship with children.

Being a lifeguards means being surrounded by kids all day long. Sure, we each have some favorite, funny kids that we like to see when they visit, and if you teach swim lessons, you might like children and working with them. However, we also get tired of dealing with the yelling, running, and crying that comes along with large groups of kids everywhere.