When the summer arrives, there are people who would like to work as sports instructors or as lifesaver, since they enjoy swimming. You will need some type of lifeguard certification if you want to go into life-saving.
Lifeguard vacancies are not always filled with accredited lifeguards, so if you want to carry out this profession throughout the year, you need to consider that lifesaving is your future.
What requirements are required to be a lifeguard?
In the lifeguard courses, you can learn to swim about 200 meters in less than five minutes, freedive 20 meters without breathing, and move quickly with full lifeguard equipment. The lifeguard must make sure that the rules of the pool or beach are complied with, in addition to acting against accidents and their prevention.
It’s important that everything develops without taking a lot of risks. Whether on beaches, lakes and swamps, public and private swimming pools or water parks, the role of the lifeguard is essential to guarantee the safety of all bathers who come to these specially designed bathing facilities.
Lifeguarding as a career
Nowadays, lifeguarding is a booming profession where the average age of the professionals who dedicate themselves to it has risen considerably since traditionally this work was carried out by young students between the ages of 18 and 25 who took advantage of the vacations of summer to earn money If you want to become a lifeguard, you have to ask yourself if you meet all the requirements to be a lifeguard.
How to get a lifeguard certification?
You have to be over 16 years old first of all. You may be required to have a degree in order to gain access at some centres. You need to be in good physical shape and have knowledge of swimming to take the lifeguard course.
In addition to being in good physical shape, you must have a minimum knowledge of first aid in order to be able to perform the cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoeuvre. You must have an apnea capacity of 20 meters, swim 200 meters freestyle in less than 4 minutes, drag an unconscious victim 50 meters, and cover 50 meters in a swimsuit and short-sleeved shirt in less than 55 seconds if you want to take the physical.
What are the activities do lifeguards perform?
The majority of lifeguard jobs are seasonal, with only 20% permanent and little chance of continuing in the job after the end of the season. If, in addition to your profession in the sector, you have experience as a swimming teacher, gym instructor, personal trainer, aquatic activities instructor or diver, your chances of finding a job will greatly increase to work all year round, not just during the summer.
The majority of the contracts take place in large cities and coastal cities. If you want to become a sports instructor, personal trainer, swimming instructor, and sports activities entertainer in the future, you should take into account that the lifeguard experience will be good for your CV, if this is your first job.
Where to get a lifeguard course?
If you’re also looking for lifeguard course or just swimming lessons for adults, the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is the place to go. There are professional opportunities for you with the rescue and first aid trainer qualification. The sports schools of rescue and first aid have a person in charge. The person is responsible for aquatic installation and the lifeguard team in the natural environment.
There is a lifeguard on the ocean or river beaches. A lifeguard is on duty in the lakes. Lifeguards provide support to aquatic intervention units. In the natural environment, there is a lifeguard in the water.
There is a lifeguard in the nautical-sports activities. The assistant referee is there to help the referee. You should know that the profession of a lifeguard, where you have to be an expert in first aid, is still a profession of great responsibility. It is a profession that is booming and offers many opportunities, so if you have doubts about whether it can offer you a safe and sustainable future, don’t think twice.
Final Words
A lifeguard must be strong both physically and mentally to be able to handle emergency situations in or near water in a better way. A lifeguard is responsible for ensuring the safety of the people using the pool and its surrounding areas. They also provide first aid and are responsible for dealing with emergency situations that might arise.
Lifeguards need to be well prepared in order to do their job properly. They should be able to handle the various types of emergencies that might occur in the swimming pool. The American Lifeguard Association is a well reputed place that is providing different types of lifeguard training courses throughout the year.
For more information our lifeguard courses, please do not hesitate to contact ALA.
