Red Cross certification is required for lifeguard careers in various locations such as public pools, sports clubs, beaches, schools, and hotels. Lifeguards may also need to have instructor certification and be physically fit. Lifeguards must wear standard workwear and be prepared to jump into the water in case of emergencies. Hotel and cruise ship lifeguards must have a pleasant personality as they live among their customers. Public beach and park lifeguards may have seasonal positions.
An advanced level lifesaving certificate from the Red Cross is the minimum requirement for the different types of lifeguard careers. Certification is earned upon passing a water safety course, and annual course renewals and updates are required to maintain certification. Having a Red Cross instructor certificate allows lifeguards to teach swimming lessons. All types of lifeguards must be strong swimmers, in excellent health and in good physical shape. The different types of locations for lifeguard careers include public swimming pools, public and private sports clubs, beaches, schools with swimming pools, community recreation centers, hotels and cruise ships.
Lifeguard careers at sports clubs, schools, and community centers may require lifeguards to have Red Cross instructor certification to teach swimming lessons and also provide lifeguarding services. In these environments, there may be several lifeguards and swim instructors to look after the client’s safety and teach people how to swim. These positions may also involve pool cleaning and maintenance such as adding chemicals and regularly keeping debris and trash out and away from the pool area. Pool lifeguards must abide by rules such as not running on pool decks as people can slip and fall on the hard surface.
Hotel and cruise ship lifeguard careers are based on hospitality and cater to people with a mature and pleasant personality, as these lifeguards actually live among their customers. A hotel lifeguard could live off-site, but cruise ship lifeguards certainly can’t when they’re working. However, traveling on a ship with perks like first-class food can help make up for the lack of complete privacy.
Lifeguards who work on public beaches and parks may be hired by a city council. These types of lifeguard careers are usually seasonal and the lifeguards at the park’s beaches and pools may only be hired for the summer. If the beach closure occurs for any reason due to a park board decision on public safety, the hired lifeguard does not work or is paid. They can still be good positions for lifeguards who like to be outdoors in warm weather and have other income at work or attending school the rest of the year.
Hats, T-shirts, and bathing suits or shorts are standard workwear for all types of lifeguard careers. A lifeguard must be ready to jump into the water at any sign of an emergency. Lifeguard clothing can be marked in bold with the word Lifeguard. Lifeguard chairs are often very high and positioned very close to the water’s edge so that the lifeguards are close to the swimmers and have a good view of the entire swimming area.
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