The Steps to Becoming a Lifeguard

          Lifeguards. Anyone that has swam in or been near a supervised aquatic area has seen us. We are primarily described as tan, wearing our signature red swimsuits, and just sitting in our high chairs watching people. All day long. However, I don't think people actually understand what it truly means to be a lifeguard and everything included in its job description.

          Before someone becomes a lifeguard, they have many hours of training to complete and many tests to pass. The first step is to take a lifeguard certification class which normally takes anywhere from 30-40+ hours. After each class, the normal person is completely exhausted. Normal:  meaning not a conditioned swimmer. In lifeguard training we are taught rescue skills, first aid, and CPR/AED. To pass the class, each lifeguard is asked to perform final skills that were taught at some point over the duration of the class. We also need to pass a written exam with a certain percentage per section.

          After the initial class is over, and each guard is certified, we still have to apply for a job and go through an interview process just like everyone else. After actually getting the job, we have even more training. We also have to pass another skills test (as well as many throughout the lifeguard season) to ensure that we still know how to save drowning victims. The training process at my pool took about ten more hours overall.

          During the job training we improve our skills that we learned in our certification classes and go over pool procedures, rules, and whistle blowing. Some of the specific skills are how to save active drowning, passive drowning, and submerged victims. We learn how to rescue some with a head, neck, or back injury. We also learn skills required when the victim is out of the water such as CPR and all of the different ratios, the Heimlich, first aid, and whistle blowing. I presume whistle blowing does not seem like a skill that needs to be learned. Let me assure that in order to get a crisp, clear, and short whistle blow, it actually takes practice. There is a specific amount of breath needed and a correct tongue placement. My first attempts sounded like a train's whistle but eventually I figured it out.

          In my next blog I will be sure to talk about the experiences after learning how to be a lifeguard.