School's out, the sun is shining, and where do most people go during summer vacation? The pool and/or beach! Of course, you can't have any open body of water like that without a lifeguard. I've been guarding for two years now, and I'll admit I used to have a pretty easy job. I was working at a university so I was inside all day, and I never had to do much besides sit in a chair and maybe pass out a band-aid every once in a while. This summer, I switched jobs because of a lack of transportation, and while I absolutely love my job, there are a few things any lifeguard working a seasonal job understand.
1. You get the best tan lines
I've worked for about two week weeks now and discovered like I do almost every year, too much sun is no fun. When you work outside, you're going to get some awkward tan lines. If it's an especially hot summer, you get the wonderful tube strap line across your body, especially guys who guard shirtless.
2. You have weird hours
When you work a minimum wage job, and know you only have a certain amount of days until you have to leave, you're usually willing to work just about any time. You don't realize how long your day is when you start swim lessons at 11, guard during open hours until 7, and work a private party until 10 PM until you get home and absolutely crash, usually to repeat the entire process over again.
3. You have a constant adrenaline rush on busy days
When the pool is packed, you're much more likely to actually have to get in and save someone. Also, kids doing tricks off the diving boards are going to make me go into cardiac arrest someday.
4. If you work at a small pool, you're also well versed in running concessions
I never knew I could hate sno cones so much until I had to make them.
5. Just because you're my friend doesn't mean I won't yell at you
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Rules are rules, and I enjoy having a job more than I enjoy watching you do stupid crap at my pool. Also, those rules exist for YOUR safety, I wouldn't waste my time enforcing a rule if it wasn't there for a reason.
6. Even if you don't love the pool you work at, you still have loyalty
Just because my job isn't ideal doesn't mean I want you to go to a different pool.
7. You become close with your coworkers
Nothing brings people together like sunburns, snacks, and a summer of inside jokes.
8. You get asked some weird questions
Sir, if your three year old son can't swim without floaties, he can NOT jump off the diving board where the pool is 12 feet deep.
9. As much as you complain, you're going to miss it when summer ends
I'm spending more of my summer with these guards than anyone else, and when I leave for college in the fall I'm going to miss these incredible people so much. I'm sure I'm going to miss the days when the worst part of my day was cleaning up bathrooms at 10 at night.
