My Future Job

I would work for lifeguards. WHAT’S INVOLVED?

The job of a lifeguard is to keep swimmers safe. This means providing general first aid, saving people from drowning, ensuring the safety of the pool area and its water (if you’re working in a swimming pool), and stopping any dangerous behaviour. You’ll be required to keep a close eye on everything that’s going on, and make judgements about anything you might consider hazardous or unsafe.

If you like to work with people then you’ll get to meet and greet hundreds by working as a lifeguard. The job can be flexible too, so you can work in the day while the kids are at school, or at nights or weekends to earn some extra cash on top of your full-time job. Also, there is a possibility of promotion, and career progression.

However, there will always be silly people making your job difficult, diving where they shouldn’t and breaking pool rules. You’ll have to deal with these people calmly and responsibly. You have to keep a watchful eye on what’s going on at all times, you can’t just quickly nip out to the shop. If someone’s in danger they’ll need your immediate assistance.

There are two types of lifeguard:

• A swimming pool lifeguard – who would be employed by a leisure centre, private club, local authority, hotel or holiday centre.
• A beach lifeguard – who would be employed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Unless you live right by the sea, you’re likely to be working in a swimming pool environment. Even if you do live right by the sea, there’s not much call for beach lifeguards in the winter months so it’s a good idea to get in with the local swimming pools anyway.

I am a strong swimmer and physically fit. Don’t even think of doing this if you can’t swim!