Do you dream of becoming a lifeguard and spending your working day in your natural environment, between water, beach, and people?
Whether you are a man or a woman, the prospects for the future as a lifeguard are more than favorable. Today, this profession is no longer just seasonal, and a move to a year-round position is possible if you want to pursue a career as a lifeguard.
What Is A Lifeguard Certification?
A Lifeguard certification is the first step in becoming a Certified Lifeguard. This course will teach you about the lifeguard profession and how to protect swimmers from drowning. The course also teaches you how to swim, rescue a drowning person and how use a flotation device.
The course consists of classroom lessons and pool-based practice and testing. After the course is completed, you are eligible for your official lifeguard certification.
What Level Of Education Is Required To Become A Lifeguard?
The good news is that the lifeguard profession is absolutely transversal and open to everyone!
In fact, no specific degrees are needed, but it is necessary to follow a training course that can be organized by one of these three bodies:
- American Red Cross
- American Lifeguard Association
- United states Swimming Federation
At the end of the course, by passing the exam, you will be in possession of a patent that will allow you to qualify for the profession.
What Are The Requirements To Access?
We can say that when registering for the course you will have to:
- be a member of the Society or Federation;
- be in possession of swimming skills (even if it is not necessary to have done competitive swimming);
- be in a good physical and suitable mental health conditions that are certified by a doctor;
- be aged between 16 and 55;
But be careful: not all lifeguard certificates will allow you to work in all contexts. There are in fact different types of lifeguard certification.
Obviously the lifeguard certification from a reputed organization will allow you to have greater employment opportunities.
It all depends on your professional goals … if you do not have clear ideas yet, perhaps you should opt for the most complete lifeguard certificate so that it can be truly spent anywhere!
Training Course To Become Lifeguards: How Does It Take Place?
Have you chosen the type of lifeguard certification you are interested in?
Obviously, the duration of the training course also depends on the type of course: The course for Lifeguard (swimming pool) does not include lessons concerning the sea and therefore has a shorter duration.
If you are interested in an advanced level of lifeguard certification, the one with the extension for sea and inland waters, you will need to plan a course of no less than two months with:
- at least 12 theory lessons dedicated to the sea and beaches, elementary notions of meteorology, drowning, surveillance techniques, swimming recovery techniques, the use of rescue equipment, fundamental seafaring knots, legal aspects of the lifeguard profession, and of course also the swimming pools;
- at least 9 lessons relating to first aid and BLS (Basic Life Support), partly managed by the Section Doctor and with the use of a special manikin;
- at least 20 lessons in the water;
- at least 6 rowing lessons on rescue skates.
Final Words
Lifeguarding is a serious job with physical and mental challenges. It needs a lot of training and a lifeguard certificate to become eligible for this job. If you have a passion for water and possess good swimming skills, then this job is ideal for you.
The American Lifeguard Association is a reputed organization that is often quoted on local TV and print media for water safety and lifeguarding. If you are interested in getting a lifeguard certificate or need lifeguard recertification in order to refresh and update your skills for continuing your job, please do not hesitate to contact the American Lifeguard Association.