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How to become a Lifeguard

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Lifeguard

Lifeguard

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The role of a Lifeguard

What does a Lifeguard do?

Confident swimmer? Like helping people? Look good in slow-motion? You should be a Lifeguard…

Lifeguards work everywhere from indoor pools to oceans and inland waterways, supervising swimmers, and helping to ensure their safety.They are an absolutely essential resource in helping prevent injuries and accidents from occurring in the water. Without them, the lives of thousands of people every year would be in serious danger. Also, there would be no Baywatch.Typical duties for a Lifeguard may include:

Observing swimmers
Monitoring water conditions
Supervising equipment
Advising all swimmers on safety regulations, and informing them of any dangerous water conditions
Rescuing distressed swimmers from the water
Administering first-aid, and performing life-saving measures in emergency situations

Is a career as a Lifeguard right for me?

You will need to be an extremely confident swimmer in order to become a Lifeguard.

You could find yourself swimming in dangerous waters, at depth, or battling against strong currents, and keeping calm under pressure will be of utmost importance.Lifeguards also generally need a good level of physical fitness and strength, especially as you may need to remove people from the water by force.

Looking good in a red swimsuit/shorts not essential, but may help in this positon.

Other key skills for a Lifeguard include:

Courage
Quick reactions
The ability to concentrate for long periods of time
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Excellent observational skills
Excellent eyesight

What's it like to be a Lifeguard?

"I've been a Lifeguard for around a year now, and I absolutely love it. I work in a local leisure centre, which is great because I get to work with loads of people in my local community, from children learning to swim through to groups of retirees doing aqua-aerobics classes on a Wednesday night. It is a job that comes with a degree of pressure, and you have to be alert at all times, especially when trying to see if someone’s struggling to swim. But it’s quite a relaxed environment, and disasters very rarely happen (touch wood). I get to swim every day, and am even learning to become a swimming instructor on the side. It’s ace."

Get qualified as a Lifeguard

To become a lifeguard in the UK, you typically need to obtain the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) awarded by organisations like the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK. This certification requires candidates to be at least 16 years old and undergo rigorous training that covers water rescue techniques, CPR, first aid, and pool management. Additionally, candidates must pass a swimming test demonstrating strong swimming ability. Continuing education and regular requalification are often necessary to keep the certification valid and ensure lifeguards maintain their skills and readiness to respond to emergencies effectively.

Recommended Lifeguard courses

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