A Day in the Life of a Lifeguard - Department of Parks and Recreation

Joe Lifeguard arrives at the pool promptly at 12:45pm, always 15 minutes before the pool opens to ensure everything is ready to go and that the pool opens right on time. As they enter the pool, they look around at the gleaming water and the sparkling bathroom floors. WOW, they did an awesome job cleaning last night, the facility looks great! Joe Lifeguard then quickly changes into his lifeguard uniform and begins his assigned opening duties.

First he checks the first aid equipment and oxygen, making sure that everything is fully stocked and in good working condition. We do not want to be missing anything when in the middle of an emergency. Next, Suzy Lifeguard takes a water reading, to make sure that there is just enough chlorine in the pool. Once opening duties are completed, they grab their gloves, whistles, sunglasses, air horns and rescue tubes and proceed to the lifeguard stand. I know what you are thinking, what about their sun screen, that was applied before they arrived since it takes 30 minutes to become active.

It's 1:00pm and time to let the public in to swim! Guards are out on the deck in full effect, and the cashier begins to let guests into the pool. It is going to be a hot one today; the pool should be close to capacity. The guards on break are always ready to react, whether it is an emergency or something that needs to be cleaned.

Before you know it, it is time to rotate. Lucy Lifeguard comes out next to the stand. She says she's got it. Suzy then hops down and tells Lucy she's got it. Lucy then gets up in the stand and when she is situated tells Suzy she's got it. Since Lucy was a little early like she's supposed to be, Joe gets his break on time.

Oh man, it's 3:00pm already and Woody, our first aid specialist, has arrived to do audits. He begins by checking the equipment, making sure that the staff has done their job. Next, Tom and Woody choose two staff members to be audited and then the lifeguard picks a card to decide which sort of victim they will rescue. Now it's time to show off your skills! Lisa Lifeguard chose the infant, and is not nervous when Woody begins to videotape her. After her performance, Woody goes over the tape with Lisa to give feedback. Once audits are over, its now time for rotation again.

Rotation is done in the same manner until 5:00pm. Everyone is on time and bathroom checks are completed before anyone starts their break. At the top of each hour chemical readings are done and written down in the logbook. At 5:00pm public swim is over and the pool closes to get ready for swim lessons. Whomever is in the stand stays in the stand until the last person is out of the water. Once out of the stand we make sure everyone leaves the facility completely and then we close the front gates. It's now time to clean up the pool. Trash is picked up and the bathrooms are clean.

After all daily maintenance is completed, it is time for swim lessons! Swim lessons are a lot of fun, they are three days a week, and run for 40 minutes. Before the lessons start, instructors need to be prepared by getting out the equipment needed for the class and having the students meet in the designated area; all lessons begin and end on time. Next is swim practice, swim practice runs for an hour each day. During swim lessons and swim team there is always a guard watching the pool as well as a site coordinator on deck.

When they are finished, all equipment is put away, the shepherd crook, rescue tubes, air horns and any remaining trash cans. The bathrooms are checked one more time and any trash is picked up that may have been left lying around. Suzy, Joe, Lucy and Lisa then ask the manager if there is anything else she would like them to do before leaving for the day. There is nothing else that needs to be done, so they all leave, only return the next day to another rewarding day as a lifeguard.

If you think you have what it takes to become a professional lifeguard and would like to join our team, contact Kimberly Peterson at (916) 277-2306.