If you ask anyone what they like to do over the summer, they're probably going to say something about going to the beach, pool, or waterpark. Everyone loves to relax to the sound of waves and unwind in the sunlight, but not everyone can do so. Lifeguards sit in the hot sun all summer to make sure people in and around the water are safe. We live many different lives than other workers and although it is a serious and an imperative job, it has its highlights (and not just in your hair). Here are a few!

1. We don't wear clothes to work.

Sounds weird, but we don't. Normally we sit/stand in our guard suits, fanny packs, and flip-flops. If it gets really cold, we'll put our shirts or jackets on.

2. We have our sunscreen, sunglasses, and visors (somewhere).

Lifeguards are forever misplacing their work necessities. We have it, though. It might be buried under wet towels and suits in our trunks, but we have it.

3. Awkward tan lines.

We get them no matter how much sunscreen we put on. People gawk and make faces every time we go out in a bikini or backless shirt, but you get used to it.

4. Whistle blows.

It's amazing how much power that little piece of plastic has. Most of the time, all we have to do is reach for the whistle and kids stop acting up.

5. We all know "those kids".

No matter where you work, you have regulars. Most of them are really nice and friendly, but some break rules you didn't even know you had. They'll try all the tricks off the diving board that aren't allowed, they'll "fall in" during pool breaks, and hang on every single lane line you have. These kids can be awful, but most of the time, their parents are worse.

6. Staff parties.

Lifeguards will give anything to break the rules we have to strictly enforce during normal hours, so we do at staff parties.

7. Getting paid to sit in a chair, tan, and get splashed by patrons.

Yes, of course, we help when the need arises, but normally we just chill in the chairs with our oversized water bottles (and we typically get more than minimum wage to do so).

8. When your boss walks on deck and suddenly everyone is breaking rules.

"WALK!" "Yes, you have to be in the water with your one-year-old. Even with the floaties on." "Please get off the lane line." "NO DO NOT put that in your mouth!" "Ma'am you can't change your 10-year-old child on the pool deck."

9. No matter how much you drink, you're never hydrated enough.

We. Never. Stop. Sweating. We sit on towels not because our suits are wet from the pool, but because no one wants to sit in coworker's butt sweat.

10. Thunderstorms.

It's a wonderful feeling to blow your whistle after thunder is heard or lightning is observed. Lifeguards have strengthened senses to be able to detect a storm from miles away. During the storms, guards hang out in the staff office, play cards and other games, and/or clean (mostly depending on who's shift leader/supervisor on duty at the time).