Becoming a pool lifeguard requires CPR certification, strong swimming skills, and lifeguard training. Additional skills such as pool care and first aid can increase job opportunities.
Being a pool lifeguard can be fun, but it’s a challenging and serious job. It involves the enticing prospect of being near water every day, but there are lifeguards to protect others. They need to be able to stay focused on what is going on in the pool and other skills are needed as well so that they can take appropriate action if someone is endangered in the water. There are several things required to become a pool lifeguard and they include certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), strong swimming skills, and typical lifeguard training. Since lifeguards can do other things besides protecting the pool, each pool may require other knowledge as well.
Without a doubt, CPR training is essential to becoming a pool lifeguard. Even if a lifeguard never needs to use it, if drowning occurs, resuscitation becomes the best chance of survival. People can take CPR training at a variety of locations. The Red Cross offers regular classes on the subject. CPR courses may also be offered at community colleges, through parks and recreation centers, or at a variety of other locations. Some pools also have defibrillators on hand, and if a person wants to become a lifeguard at one of these pools, he or she may need that training as well.
It would be difficult to rescue someone without being able to swim very well. Most people should be certified to have passed swimming lessons or take a test to show swimming strength. When people reach a certain level of swimming skill, they may need to take safety or lifeguard lessons so that they can demonstrate skill not only in swimming but also in rescuing someone. It’s quite a different thing to have to swim and carry someone at the same time, and there are techniques for doing this safely. A person who would like to become a pool lifeguard needs to learn these techniques and can find training courses at places like community or private pools, or sometimes at community colleges.
Once people have mastered the basic skills of becoming a pool lifeguard, they need to think about where to apply. Most public and private pools require lifeguards to be at least 16 years old, and some may not hire people under 18. People should consider adding other skills to their profile to increase their chances of getting work. Pool care may be something that some lifeguards undertake. Understanding how to add chemicals and test sets for chemical balance can give you a competitive edge during job applications.
Other things that might be helpful for those who would like to become a pool lifeguard are basic first aid classes because they give lifeguards other ways to help out in the pool. Some lifeguards also teach beginner or more advanced swimming lessons and learning to be a good teacher can be valuable. When applying for jobs, list all related skills or knowledge on a resume for better chances of getting hired. When all the basic requirements are met, all the swimming tests are passed, and the extra skills are part of a person’s resume, it might not be too difficult to become a pool lifeguard, as long as there are jobs available.
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