A lifeguard is present to supervise the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants in a swimming pool, at a water park or beach.
Who can I work for?
Lifeguards can be employed by local authorities to work on beaches, at swimming pools and at schools. They can also be employed by private gyms and leisure centres.
Where and when can I work?
The role is seven days a week, excluding public holidays. Beach lifeguards usually only work in daylight hours and pool lifeguards can expect to work on a shift basis to cover pool opening times which will vary but are normally between 7am – 10pm.
What can I earn?
Depending on experience and where the lifeguard is working, pool lifeguards can expect to work on an hourly rate of £5 – £10 per hour, a full time equivalent of between £11,000 and £20,000 a year. You can boost your earnings by taking additional qualifications as a personal trainer, swimming or fitness coach.
What are the benefits?
If working for a gym or local authority you can benefit from reduced rates at local attractions and gym memberships. Some of the large organisations offer free membership to their staff. Working to save lives for a living is also very rewarding.
Are there chances of promotion?
Working in a leisure facility will offer lifeguards the opportunity to progress up the ranks to leisure centre manager. By adding to your qualifications you could open up doors to other roles including personal instructor and fitness coach.
What will I be responsible for?
There are different responsibilities depending on where a lifeguard works. Poolside lifeguards will ensure that swimmers behave in a safe fashion, rescue distressed swimmers from the water, regulate water temperature, check chlorine and hygiene levels and administer basic first aid.
It is the responsibility of beach lifeguards to identify danger spots as no-swim areas, rescue swimmers in danger and provide constant watchful eye over the beach, provide advice on where to swim, surf or engage in other water sports and administer first aid.
Do I need any experience?
Experience as a pool or leisure centre assistant can be useful when trying to become a lifeguard, but at least one of the following qualifications are essential;
Pool lifeguards: National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ); National Rescue Standard (NarRS) up to STA Level 2 - Pool Lifeguard.
Beach lifeguards: National Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NBLQ); National Rescue Standard (NarRS) qualification up to STA Level 2 Certificate - Beach Lifeguard.
What attributes are needed?
Lifeguards need to be over 16 years of age, and over 18 for beach lifeguards, as well as physically fit and a strong, competent swimmer.
You will also need to remain calm in a crisis, enforce swimming pool rules in a considerate but firm manner and have the ability to react quickly and efficiently in a life-threatening situation.