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10 Things Every Lifeguard can Relate To if they work at a Lake

Saving lives isn't everything we do.

Maggie Leenas

Jul 05, 2018

Rowan University

432

http://watersafetypatrol.org/classes-training/lifeguard-training

Photo by Autumn Mott on Unsplash

Being a lifeguard is one of the best jobs that anyone can have, considering you get to spend your entire day outside. The summer holds the best weather, and you're able to enjoy it each and every day while also getting your tan on. Watching over the lives of people young and old has its many perks, but it can also have its cons.

Overall, becoming a lifeguard was one of the best decisions I ever made. After lifeguarding for about five years, I've noticed you start to fall into a pattern and find that some things will never change.

1. Having to constantly yell at the same kids who already know the rules.

Sometimes it seems like kids break the rules just for fun. Believe me, I've definitely done it when I was little, but it's annoying when you're on the other end of it.

2. You pray to God for a rainstorm or thunder.

What's better than sitting inside during a rainstorm and getting paid to do so? Maybe dancing in the rain?

3. Turtles, snakes, and other wildlife are always interrupting a normal shift.

It seems like all hell breaks loose when animal pops up out of the water when people are swimming. If you don't bother the wildlife, they won't bother you!

4. Having mini heart attacks every time a kid does a flip off the diving board.

Sometimes the kids get so damn close to hitting their heads. My heart never seems to go back to beating normally until they safely enter the water.

5. Bonding with your fellow guards over the course of the summer.

Having your annual "end of the summer" dinner makes you way more emotional than you thought. Your co-workers are more like your family, and it's so much fun bonding over the crazy moments you all experience together.

6. Wanting to yell at the one family that comes down to swim in the crappiest weather possible.

You are the only thing standing between me and going home. PLEASE come back when the weather is actually nice.

7. Becoming BFFs with the kids is so much fun.

After a full year of not seeing your favorite kids, it's nice to catch up with them and ask how their school year was. They're too adorable and what make the job so great. It's pretty cool to be able to see them grow over the years, too.

8. Blowing all of your money on the food at the snack stand.

Eating hot pockets for lunch every day is what gets me through my shift. Any possible moment of boredom somehow ends up with you handing over your money for food. By the end of the summer, you'll be paying in coins.

9. Losing multiple whistles over the span of the summer.

Every lifeguard knows it's just normal to swing your whistle around your finger while on stand. We've all had those moments where it flies off your hand and into the water. In a pool, you'll most likely be able to see it and fish it out, but in a lake, it's a goner within seconds.

10. Realizing how sad you are that the summer has come to an end.

Being a lifeguard in a small lake community is something so special. Everyone's love for the lake is what makes me happy to go to work every day. Once summer is over, it's sad to think that you won't be back at the lake for almost 10 months.

Guarding lives can be a very tough and serious job, but it really is something that has made me into who I am today. I wouldn't change any of my memories or experiences for the world.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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10 Things Every Lifeguard can Relate To if they work at a Lake

Saving lives isn't everything we do.

1. Having to constantly yell at the same kids who already know the rules.

2. You pray to God for a rainstorm or thunder.

3. Turtles, snakes, and other wildlife are always interrupting a normal shift.

4. Having mini heart attacks every time a kid does a flip off the diving board.

5. Bonding with your fellow guards over the course of the summer.

6. Wanting to yell at the one family that comes down to swim in the crappiest weather possible.

7. Becoming BFFs with the kids is so much fun.

8. Blowing all of your money on the food at the snack stand.

9. Losing multiple whistles over the span of the summer.

10. Realizing how sad you are that the summer has come to an end.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

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I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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