To become a rescue swimmer, decide if you want to be a civilian or military rescue swimmer, get any necessary certifications, and join the appropriate organization. Training is physically and mentally demanding.
To become a rescue swimmer, first consider whether you want to be a civilian rescue swimmer, such as a lifeguard, or serve as part of an emergency response team with a military unit. If you want to be a civilian rescue swimmer, you must receive any emergency medical certification, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, required in your area. To become a rescue swimmer for emergency rescue operations, usually as part of a government agency or military organization, you need to join the appropriate organization in your area and qualify for a position as a rescue swimmer.
Before you start training to become a rescue swimmer, you will normally have to choose what type of rescue swimmer you want to become. If you are interested in working as a civilian rescue swimmer, such as a lifeguard, look for pools, lakes and beaches in your area that need rescue swimmers. You can then determine the qualifications needed in your area to work as a lifeguard, which may vary slightly between regions. In general, however, you normally need training in CPR and first aid to become a rescue swimmer, which you can get from the Red Cross or a similar organization.
To become a rescue swimmer with an emergency rescue unit such as the US Coast Guard or similar military organization, you must join that group and qualify for rescue swimmer training. This means that you need to be in sufficient physical and mental condition to join the military in the first place. Military acceptance requirements may vary from country to country, so you should consult local recruiters for specific information about these requirements. You should also contact different branches of the military to determine which organization in your country includes positions for you to become a rescue swimmer.
After joining the appropriate military or rescue organization in your country, you can start training to become a rescue swimmer. In the US, for example, consider joining the US Navy and trying to qualify to start training in the rescue swim program. This may be easier if you have lifeguard experience, including professional work and CPR and first aid training to demonstrate your skills as a swimmer. Once you are accepted into the rescue swimmer training program, you need to complete the full program to become a rescue swimmer, which can be exhausting both physically and mentally.
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