Are you looking for a rewarding career this summer?
Lifeguards rescue an estimated 100,000 people annually from drowning in the United States. This staggering statistic is proof that the work a lifeguard does matters.
Becoming a lifeguard requires being dedicated to service, while also becoming certified as required in the state where you will live and work.
But what else about being a lifeguard makes it a unique experience?
Read on to learn 10 ways that becoming a lifeguard is a rewarding experience.
1. Learn CPR and Life-Saving Techniques
One unique thing about being a lifeguard is that you will learn CPR and other life-saving techniques.
The American Heart Association found that 100,000 to 200,000 lives can be saved each year if CPR is performed early enough.
Often, the delay in receiving CPR is because no one has CPR training in the immediate vicinity of someone in peril.
The lessons you learn in lifeguard training aren’t only beneficial for work in this field. CPR and life-saving techniques can be used as a lifeguard and/or later as you go through life in or out of the pool.
2. Help Other People
It is rewarding to help other people in your capacity as a lifeguard.
A lifeguard is tasked with monitoring the safety and well-being of those under his or her watch. This is a tremendous responsibility but also one that can be very rewarding too.
Helping other people comes in more ways than administering CPR when needed. You will have the opportunity to interact with patrons and help them navigate the pool in a safe way.
This post by Lifeguard.careers highlights what employers look for when recruiting lifeguards.
3. Stay Fit
Being a lifeguard is an outdoor job that requires you to stay fit.
That’s because you will have to be active and physically able to lift or carry other people that need your help.
Because of the potential physical demands of your job, it is important to stay in shape. Some of the ways you can stay physically fit are to lift weights. But you also need to have endurance too.
You can do this by adopting a jogging routine or swimming laps in the pool to help you stay on top of your game.
4. Make a Positive Difference
Making a positive difference in the lives of other people is one of the added benefits of being a lifeguard.
On any given day on the job, you look after the safety of other people.
But you can also be faced with a life or death situation where you are able to save the life of someone in need.
This part of being a lifeguard is something that you will not see on your paycheck each pay period. But it is an intangible benefit that makes what you do a very meaningful job.
5. Use Teamwork
Lifeguard training and being on the job emphasize being part of a team.
When you work as a lifeguard you will be part of a team of individuals with a common goal — keeping other people safe.
Each member of your lifeguard team will play an important part of ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
Besides being helpful as a lifeguard, teamwork is a skill that will benefit you throughout your professional career too.
6. Build Up Your Resume
Having lifeguard experience on your resume can be impressive to a potential employer.
It shows an employer that you are a responsible employee. After all, as a lifeguard, you are responsible for making sure people stay safe.
Because of the nature of your job, being punctual and taking your job seriously are important parts of being a lifeguard.
These can important traits for an employer, regardless of the industry or job you are seeking after your lifeguard experience.
7. Develop Strong Interpersonal Skills
Communicating with other people is a crucial part of being a successful lifeguard.
When you begin your job as a lifeguard, you may be apprehensive about speaking to other people. You could also be a shy person in certain situations.
But when you are working at the pool, you will have to speak to other people in your position. Whether it is patrons at the pool, your co-workers, or your bosses.
You will communicate with lots of people each day and this will help you develop the strong interpersonal skills you need in your career.
8. Improve Your Self-Confidence
You can improve your self-confidence by working as a lifeguard.
That’s because the nature of the job will require you to be assertive at times. This can take place in high-pressure situations that require you to act cool under pressure.
The need to work well under stress and be calm while you are doing it can be adapted to situations in work and in life.
Being self-confident will also help you to impress other people, whether you are working at the pool or in an office environment later.
9. Make Lifelong Friends
When you say, “I want to be a lifeguard”, one of the first reasons why may not be because of making lifelong friends.
But the truth is that you will work closely with a tightknit group of people each day.
There will also be a fair amount of time where you will be speaking to your co-workers about topics in and out of work.
The time you spend with your co-workers will help you become closer with them and you will develop strong friendships.
These are relationships that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.
10. Enjoy The Outdoors
Instead of working in an office setting, being a lifeguard allows you to enjoy the great outdoors.
You will be able to stay out in the sun while being out in the open air. This can help make your days more enjoyable.
How many other jobs can you think of where you can get a tan while wearing a bathing suit?!
Wrapping Up: Benefits of Becoming a Lifeguard
Becoming a lifeguard takes hard work and dedication but the benefits help to outweigh it all.
The rewarding nature of the work allows you to enjoy your day-to-day job while also developing friendships and skills for life.
Have you already landed a job as a lifeguard and need to get in shape?
Check out our blog post on ‘The 5 Best Tips for Getting in Shape (Even if You’re a Couch Potato)’!