If you have ever been a lifeguard, you already know it is one of the worse/best summer jobs ever. I started my lifeguarding career when I was 16 years old and now five years later, I am still doing the same thing. Even though you might say, “this is the last summer I’m guarding,” you will be back next year because deep down you know it’s a well-paying job, you have fun with your co-workers, and you couldn’t see yourself anywhere else except by the pool.
It is a summer full of 40-hour weeks in the hot sun, smelling like sunscreen with a hint of chlorine, and acquiring some very interesting tan lines. Getting yelled at by lap swimmers about the temperature of the lap pool, even though you have absolutely no control of when the pool chillers are working or not is always fun. The constant moving of lane lines for water aerobics. Oh yes and don’t let me forget about the 3.6 billion times you will scream “WALK!” This is just a short description of a summer day as a lifeguard.
Lifeguarding is more than just sitting in a tall chair and tanning all day. From checking the pool chemicals so your skin doesn’t burn off, to diving down to the bottom of the pool every morning cleaning the drains. Oh wait and the most important part of the job, guarding your life!
It is known that people always say lifeguarding is the “easiest” job ever. I can see why people might say that, but don’t let your ignorance get in the way. Lifeguards are the backbone of this country’s pools. Without us, there would be no pool or waterpark to go to during those excruciating hot summer days.
We come up with the craziest scenarios to train with so we will be prepared for in case of emergency. Even though usually the only injures we provide care for are from kids falling because they were running, after telling them to stop a countless number of times. At that point I laughed to myself when they get hurt, which seems heartless but it’s a lifeguard thing.
Anyways, while on stand our number one job is to watch the water and ensure the safety of every single patron that visits. But while on stand, us lifeguards have to stay sane somehow and not go crazy while sitting on a stand for hours at a time.
Things Lifeguards do on stand
- Deep thinking
You are still focusing on the water but multitasking with your deepest thoughts on life.
- Tan or hide from the sun
The decision must be made to either get really tan or get skin cancer.
- Praying for thunder and lighting
Was that thunder or just the garbage truck? Did you see that lighting flash or was that just a camera flash?
- Tattoo Judgement
Judging patron’s ugly tattoos is just part of the job.
- Beatboxing with your whistle and tube drumming
All I have to say it’s a great way to keep yourself entertained and yes I have done it.
- Naming your future kids
I don’t care if you are a female or male lifeguard, you have thought about possible baby names you would like to name your kids, you are surrounded by them 24/7 and it's hard to not think about.
- The biggest decision of your life: What to do on your break
There are so many possibilities during this short 20 minute break. Eat, swim laps, run to the locker room to check you phone but then risk losing time to eat, big decisions.
- Teaching yourself to say the alphabet backwards
Still practicing that one
Lifeguards are the world’s biggest complainers and it’s alright, we know! Although we do have a right to complain sometimes because of some of the things we have to deal with. A normal lifeguarding shift totals to 8 or 9 long hours, sitting it the hot sun, trying not to pass out because of the unbearably heat. We do tend to get a little bit cranky but there are valid reasons for our short patients.
Having a heart attack every 5 minutes.
The pool closes at 5pm and you arrive at 4:30 p.m.
The lifeguards handle the Code Brown. Enough said.
“Is this a saltwater pool? Because it tastes like it!”
Sitting on stand in the pouring rain because there is no thunder or lightning so you have to stay open until it does.
Do you feel bad for us now?
Moving on, now that I’m all done with my ranting about all of the miserable parts of lifeguarding over summer, I swear I am about to get to the positive side.
Like I said in the beginning, if you have ever been a lifeguard,
you already know it is the worst/best summer job ever. Although, with that
being said, I can without a doubt say lifeguarding has been the best experience
for myself during my high school and college years. This job has taught me
important life skills that I will need in the future, as well as it has helped
me become the responsible, hardworking, independent student I am today. I would
mainly not be able to put myself through college without this job. I wake up in
the morning dreading going to work but my reality is, I am lucky to have been
so lucky to have such a great job at such a young age these past 5 years.
EVERY lifeguard will agree that these are the reasons they
love being a Lifeguard.
Having the swim team kids look up to you like role model, but also a celebrity.
Teaching a child how to swim is one of the most rewarding things ever.
You make friends that will last a lifetime
Your manager and supervisors become great role models to look up to
Being trusted with so many people’s lives
