Lifeguard

Lifeguard

Mike

Sandusky, OH

Male, 20

I worked at an extremely busy water park for about two years straight and a summer camp as a beach lifeguard. Working at a water park operating 365 days a year as well as on a beach, I've seen my fair share of interesting scenarios. I've been the good guy with the band-aid, and the bad guy who yells at your kids (for good reason trust me). I'll do my best to answer any questions you have.

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49 Questions

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Last Answer on August 31, 2016

Best Rated

Is there a hierarchy of lifeguards based on where you work? Like do pool lifeguards get "looked down" on by open water lifeguards?

Asked by Aaro almost 11 years ago

If anything it was the water park guards that had a superiority complex due to the amount of rescue activity we would see. While an open water guard might have 4 or 5 rescues in their entire career, it was not uncommon to have 5-10 rescues a day in the water park depending on your position for the day.

Greatest on-screen lifeguards >> GO!

Asked by David almost 10 years ago

Wendy Peffercorn from The Sandlot is the first one that comes to mind, although I'll have to take points off for not checking for a pulse or breathing before starting CPR. Other than that I've got to go with Baywatch.

Be honest – did you become a lifeguard to score with chicks? And if so, did it work?

Asked by bambambam almost 11 years ago

Personally, no, I did not become a lifeguard to pick up chicks. I became one out of living by the water and enjoying aquatics related activities. On the other hand, I do know some who did, and long story shortyes, it does work.

What's lifeguard training like and what's the hardest test to pass?

Asked by Maddy1 almost 11 years ago

The training will vary slightly based on the organization doing the training. Like I've said before, I've done guard training through three different organizations but they're all pretty similar. There is a lot of classroom instruction covering various medical topics as well as some in-water training that covers different rescues and what not. The written tests are all pretty easy. If you pay attention in training it's really easy and most of the questions are common sense regardless. The hardest tests for me to pass were the timed swimming events. As long as you're a strong swimmer you'll be fine with those.

Are you allowed to bring stuff like books or music while you're on duty or is that completely frowned upon?

Asked by Batsy2 almost 10 years ago

That would be completely frowned upon. You're there to watch the water and make sure no one gets hurt. Water parks will often have music playing though.

Being a lifeguard do you have discount at aquatic shops or other?

Asked by Jully over 10 years ago

As a lifeguard, I was given a discount on any retail or food shops in the resort I worked for, but that was given to all employees of the resort, not exclusively to lifeguards.

Do you have any tricks for the brick test? I can't pull it out of the water!
(I have to go 23ft down and get the 20lbs brick in 40 seconds or less)
And do you have any trick for the 15m under water smimming? I can't hold my breath long enough

Asked by Emmy over 10 years ago

For the brick: make sure when you come back up with the brick, lie on your back and keep the brick on your chest. You should be able to float with the brick while swimming with your legs.

For the underwater swim: try not to be too nervous, getting nervous can increase your heart rate making your body use more oxygen.

Ultimately just do your best. For the most part, instructors don't want you to fail because a lot of failing students makes them look bad. They'll usually help you out as much as they can.