Lifeguard Career

Lifeguard ensures that swimmers are safe and sound in the swimming pools, internal waterways or sea. They assist in preventing accidents by being continually alert to recognize the risky situations.

Being a pool lifeguard you will:

• give recommendations to the swimmers on using slides and diving boards
• watch the age of the pool at the side of the pool to watch the pool and pool user
• search out for the swimmers in complicatedness
• make use of life saving technologies in case of emergencies
• provide first aid whenever required
• discontinue activities which might be risky
• see the temperature of water, level of chlorine and pH
• make arrangements of equipments

At the beach the duties of the beach lifeguard will include:

• give suggestion regarding the swimming
• make use of the techniques (life-saving) in case of urgent situations
• see to it that people are swimming in the safe area
• avoid accidents by recognizing hazards and taking preventative measures
• oversee the users on the beach and internal waterways
• give first aid if needed

Most of the beach lifeguards are volunteers who do the job at the weekends and on the public holidays

You should be 16 years old or more (18 years or more for the position of beach lifeguard), physically fit and a well-built swimmer.

For being a pool lifeguard you will require one of the following qualifications:

• NaRS Pool Rescue Qualifications
• National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

Both these qualification are internationally renowned.

The NPLQ is awarded by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS), the United Kingdom governing body for lifeguarding and lifesaving. To obtain this qualification you will require:

• preferably some experience of lifesaving- it can be helpful to obtain some of the rlss lifesaving awards
• a good standard of swimming

Have a look at the website of RLSS lifesaving awards, the NPLQ and the centers (as per the local swimming pools) where these qualifications are available.

• Certification of National Rescue Standard (Level
  2) - Pool Lifeguard
• Certification of National Rescue Standard (Level
  2) - Pool Attendant
• Certification of National Rescue Standard (Level
  2) - Poolside Helper

Visit the website of STA for more information.

You might get the job of the pool assistant or attendant and then work towards this qualifications.

To be a beach lifeguard you should have one of the following qualifications:

• RLSS National Beach Lifeguard Qualification

You can obtain the qualification in the following manner:

• educate through a marketable training association
• join the confined SLSA GB Life Saving Club or RLSS Lifeguard club as a unpaid assistant and take a training with them

Go through the website of RLSS and SLSA GB for information of Life Saving and Lifeguard clubs, and instruction providers.

Once you are skilled, you can make an application for working with the local authorities or with the RNLI.

To work for the RNLI you should meet up with the following fitness standards:

• 25m pool swim below the surface followed by 25m surface swim in 50 seconds
• 200m beach run in 40 seconds
• 200m pool swim in 3.5 minutes
• 400m pool swim in 7.5 minutes

You will have to explain this as your interview part.

Your NaRS or NPLQ qualification will be valid for 2 years. After this you should have your lifesaving and first aid skills evaluated earlier than your qualification is changed.

You might also do the job towards NVQ in Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations (Level
2). The NaRS and NPLQ can be used as a proof for the NVQ.

Being a beach lifeguard with the RNLI, you will get training in the use of specialist equipment like rescue watercraft, rescue boats and quad bikes.

• ability to remain peaceful and motivate self-confidence
• capability of communicating evidently with others
• exceptional observational skills
• a diplomatic but unyielding approach with the people who are breaking the rules of security
• good ability to work with the group

Salaries for the permanent lifeguard can begin at £ 11,500 yearly, increasing to over £ 15,000.

Various lifeguards are amateur and are remunerated on the hourly rate, which will vary from £ 6…