So You Want Be A Lifeguard

Want Be A Lifeguard?

Lifeguard training goes far beyond swimming skills and experience in the water. In order to be a guardian of the ocean, a lifeguard needs to be formally trained on how to keep the beaches safe — from First Aid knowledge to water safety instruction. If you’re considering a path in lifeguarding, take a look at some of the certifications that may be required before you land the job:

1) CPR Certification
In the case of an emergency, you may have to use CPR to revive a victim. For that reason, it’s important to be equipped with CPR knowledge and hands-on training. This type of certification lasts for 1 year.

2) First Aid Training
If blood and needles don’t send you running away, you’ve already crossed a few barriers of lifeguarding. People are active on the beach, which typically reflects an increase in injuries. You’ll need to be versed in First Aid, which is a 3-year-long certification.

3) Lifeguard Training
Aside from the logistics, there are some basics to be learned about lifeguarding. For example, how do you interact with beachgoers? What’s the best way to talk someone through a scary incident? These are among many of the relevant skills you’ll learn by attending a lifeguard training class.

Every situation is different, so before you check off these boxes, consult your city policies on lifeguard credentials. Good luck!

To find more information about becoming a lifeguard, you can visit the following websites for the leading lifeguard certification agencies:

https://www.redcross.org/   https://www.usla.org/default.aspx

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