Lifeguards Are the Heartbeat of the Protected Beach

It will be quite easy to provide an unofficial definition for a lifeguard - someone who is usually taken for granted, often considered a nuisance by holidaymakers, harassed during emergencies, loves water and fresh air, and doesn't mind a bit of attention from his or her peers of the opposite gender.

The instruction manual will also seek the following attributes from a would be lifeguard - a person with excellent water skills and knowledge, and the fitness and judgment necessary to carry out their duties employing resourcefulness and communication abilities with a good awareness of first aid techniques.

This rules out some of the characteristics generally attributed to these professionals, such as bronzed well built semi-hero's who jog effortlessly from a CPR to paddling a surfboard to finding car keys in tons of churned up sand, efficiently soothing a jellyfish sting and enjoying the company of wide eyed beach girls in between.

It is more like, trying to keep focus on several hundred overweight, inexperienced bathers constantly being spread around by rip currents, looking out for children knocked flying by sneaky shore breaks, fighting off fatigue caused by the glare, sand blowing into the eyes, standing in unforgiving heat or chilling wind as such during duty.

So this sums up the exposed side of being a lifeguard, you have the choice of making it your profession, then following it on to a career as a medic or managing for companies that provide such services, or you can become a voluntary lifeguard through a club. Whichever route is taken, the skills, confidence and benefit to society that the training and experience will leave you with, makes it well worth the effort.

Those benefits which are less evident at first, are a good training in first aid and basic lifesaving, including care for neck and spine injuries, choking and assisted breathing for all ages. From gaining skills in reading changing surf conditions to training with helicopter rescue crews, to gaining an ability to recognize signs of impeding danger, how to notice when someone has a problem and requires assistance, and how best to implement that assistance is obtained.

Your judgment will also give you the choice of calling for immediate help if you do not think that you are equipped to deal with a situation, much better than wasting valuable time or risking your own life in a failed attempt.

Being a lifeguard is more than just having a good excuse to spend plenty of time on the beach, but few if any outdoor careers offer the scope of responsibilities and enjoyments that it can provide. There is no doubt that patrolling around in your yellow and red kit, torpedo buoy dangling nonchalantly in one hand, whistle on a bright cord around your neck, does bring a feel good confidence to your bare footed step!.

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What Do Lifeguard Flags Mean?

One of your main job functions as a lifeguard is to communicate condition information and warnings to guests at your facility. As you will not be constantly speaking with each guest, flags will often be flown to inform them of the current conditions. Since many people will not know the meaning of the flags, it will be up to you, as the lifeguard on duty, to explain it to them. Developed by the United States Lifesaving Association, there are four main flags that you will want to remember.

The green flag shows that the water is all clear and it is safe to swim. Keep in mind that the ocean is unpredictable and conditions can change at any time. While you will want to still express the need for people to use caution, a green flag signifies no imminent danger to anyone.

According to National Geographic News, the United States averages just 16 shark attacks each year. The ocean however, is filled with numerous potentially dangerous sea animals. When dangerous marine life is spotted, a blue or purple flag will be flown to warn guests. While sharks get the worst reputation, other dangerous marine life that you will encounter include jellyfish and schools of fish that will attract larger predators.

When conditions aren't completely ideal, but are not dangerous enough to close the beach, a yellow flag will be flown. This will warn guests that the conditions are very rough, but are not life threatening. While the most common reasons for a yellow flag are the potential for high surf or dangerous currents and undertows, it may be permanently flown if the location is near rocks, has a sudden drop off, or is in an area that is frequented by dangerous marine life. When a yellow flag is flown, it is very important to encourage guests to use extreme caution.

The red flag is the most serious flag that will be flown. It is used to warn of the most severe hazards that could include high surf, dangerous undertows, or both. When one red flag is being flown, guests may still swim in the water, but must do so using extreme caution. If two red flags are being displayed it signifies that the area is closed for swimming as the conditions are too dangerous. Often when two flags are flown, the top red flag will have a symbol of a swimmer with a white line through it. Any time the red flags are brought out, you will want to be on high alert.

While many different regions and locations have other flags, these four flags are generally used universally. You must remember that the flags are not a substitute for verbal communication. As the lifeguard on duty, you will want to use the flags to your advantage to help you communicate potential dangers to guests and to prepare, mentally, for any hazards that may exist. If used correctly, you will benefit greatly from using the flags.
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Guide To Be a Lifeguard

What are the benefits of getting a lifeguard certificate? Yes, you can choose to become a professional lifeguard. What are the steps required?.

Below are the points you need to take note.

Lifeguard 1, 2, 3 completion serve as a fundamental foundation of lifeguard techniques for lifesavers. The course will touch on essential lifeguard techniques and theory which you will require to use in emergency cases like saving people in the water. I personally have heard from my friends, who have completed the award in twelve lessons mentioning that the entire course is fun yet informative. Because of the twelve lessons, the lifeguard instructor will emphasize participants to be strong swimmers so that during the lessons, more attention will be focused on lifeguard techniques rather than swimming strokes.

Participants will also be expected to revise on their theory knowledge as there is a lot of information to know and test. I will personally recommend you to take this course in a progressive manner to build up your lifeguard foundation which I did. However, it is up to individual. For me, I definitely gained a lot of knowledge when the course is conducted in a progressive manner.

After attaining your Lifeguard 1, 2, 3, bronze medallion is the next award that you must achieve to become a professional lifeguard. This award will test on your swim fitness and rescue techniques with time limit. More advanced rescue will be introduced as compared to lifeguard 1, 2, 3 thus it will be challenging to those swimmers who are weak.

 Cardio pulmonary resuscitation will be introduced as it is essential as you may save an unconscious victim with no pulse and breathing. It is also helpful in our daily life as lives may be saved if you know how to exercise CPR on the victim.

You may check the internet for more information regarding the award as the professional body will give you a better overview on what are the requirements. If you are interested to take up the lifeguard, you may look up the internet for the lifeguard coaches or make a trip to the swim complex to enquire the lifeguard there about the availability of the lifeguard instructors.

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Men’s Lifeguard Shorts And Choosing The Perfect On

Lifeguard duties are very important and if you are a woman lifeguard, you know how important it is to be comfortable in what you wear. There are Men guards who are not very comfortable moving around in their swimsuits. They would rather wear shorts to feel a little more comfortable. Fortunately, apart from the appealing swimsuits, there are also shorts specially designed for the Men lifeguard with a need for a little more comfort. The shorts offer optimum coverage when out of water.

You will find Men board shorts which are popular or the regular shorts that can be worn over swimsuits. Your needs will help determine which is the best option between regular shorts and board shorts. Whatever needs you have, it is important to take a few factors into consideration to make sure you choose a good high quality outfit to serve all your lifeguarding needs. Here are some factors to consider when making a selection.

The fabric - It should be comfortable to the skin and lightweight to keep you flexible enough. Shorts made from polyester and cotton can be very good. The material combination makes them durable and suitable enough for the duties around water bodies. When looking at the fabric, consider how easy it is to care for it. A fabric that dries fast should be an amazing option considering that you are always prone to getting wet while on duty.

The color - Red Men’s lifeguard shorts are most suitable. The color red is associated with the guards' uniforms and offer perfect visibility even when far off in a distance. Your uniform color should of course determine the short color that you settle for but with the standard color being red, the red shorts should work just fine.

The construction - It can have huge effects on the durability of the shorts, hence the need to check it out. Double or triple stitched hems for instance will last longer. They are also strong and more comfortable compared to single stitched shorts prone to getting spoilt fast. The same goes to an elastic waistband which offers a better fit for different sizes. This kind of a waistband also makes wearing and removing shorts easy. This is important for emergencies considering you won't have much time to waste to make a water rescue. When buying shorts, it is advisable to choose those with the LIFEGUARD print on them complete with side strips to give them a uniform look.

The size - It will of course determine how fitting the shorts are and how you look generally at the end. Luckily, the shorts are presented in different waist sizes and lengths. It makes it easier for you to select one you are bound to be most comfortable in. It is important to choose a size offering you maximum comfort since you never know how long you might need to be in the shorts even if they are simply regular shorts.

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Want to Advance Your Lifeguarding Career? Learn How to Become a Certified Lifeguard Trainer

Being a lifeguard is a fantastic job. But for some, lifeguarding is only the first step to building a successful career. As a successful lifeguard, new opportunities will begin to present themselves in the form of different jobs and responsibilities. One way to further your lifeguarding career is to become a lifeguard instructor. Lifeguard instructors have the responsibility of teaching and training the next generation of lifeguards. It is important that an instructor be patient, communicate clearly, and be enthusiastic about helping others. If you've been a successful lifeguard and possess these traits, here is all the information that you will need to become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard trainer.

Prerequisites: To be eligible for the lifeguard instructor course, there are a few requirements that you must meet. Prospective students must be at least  17 years old at the start of the course. You must also posses either a current Fundamentals of Instructor Training certificate or a current Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization. Lastly, you must pass a pre-course written exam, answering at least 80 percent correctly; demonstrate competency in 3 water rescue skill scenarios, CPR skills, First Aid skills, and a swimming test.

Purpose and Objective: The main purpose of the lifeguard instructor course is to train and develop individuals whom are able to teach American Red Cross courses and modules in lifeguarding, water safety, first aid, and CPR. The course is designed to expand on the information learned in the Fundamentals of Instructor Training Course and provides practice-teaching scenarios. When you complete the course you will be familiar with all the Red Cross instructor material, be able to plan, conduct, and evaluate courses, and will even be able to customize courses to meet the needs of your students.

Courses Qualified to Teach: After you have successful completed the lifeguard instructor course, you will be able to teach several courses. At Lifeguard Training Stand, we recommend that you choose a couple different courses to specialize in. Here is a list of the courses that you will be eligible to teach.

Certification Requirements: Before you are a certified instructor, there are a few requirements that you must meet. First, you must successfully complete all the pre-course testing and meet all the prerequisites. Next, you must attend all classes and participate in the practice teaching assignments and activities. Lastly, you must score at least 80 percent on the lifeguard instructor course written exam.

There are many options for advancing your career as a lifeguard. You may choose to go into management, move to another emergency response position, or move to a different location. None of the options are as important as being a certified lifeguard instructor. As a certified lifeguarding instructor you have the tools to mold the next generation of lifeguards. Are you a certified lifeguard instructor? What are your top teaching tips to share with new lifeguard instructors? Post them in the comments below.

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Find Out What It Takes to Become a Lifeguard!

Since lifeguards are assigned with so much responsibility, it is required that lifesavers receive a demanding lifeguard training period in order to prepare them for their coming work as lifeguards. It is greatly suggested that you become adept in first aid, swimming, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as a way to prepare for lifeguard training.

Most lifeguard companies put a good deal of stress on a lifeguard candidate's swimming ability because it is one of the most significant skillets for a lifeguard. Throughout lifeguard training, a lifeguard prospect will not only hone their first-aid response and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills, but also cultivate rescue skills and methods such as the drowning chain.

The drowning cycle is the: Failure to Adapt, Insufficient Education, Lack of Protection, Insufficient Safety Advice, and Absence of Supervision.

Inability to cope:  Many times, the common beachgoer will have limited beach and ocean experience. Because of this, the typical member of the public is highly susceptible to marine hazards like rip currents and drowning . When in a rip current a novice person will likely panic and consequently be unfit to adapt in this environment.

Insufficient Education:  Inexperienced swimmers are the most typically rescued individual in the ocean setting. In order to remain protected at the beach, every member of the public must be capable of spot unsafe risks near and around the ocean.

Absence of Protection:  An especially commonplace cause of ocean rescues is a lack of protection. This can potentially include things like a lack of adequate swim wear and inappropriate flotation devices. For example, all those who have on street clothes in the ocean will severely reduce their range of flexibility and as result lessen their ability to swim.

Absence of Safety Advice:  As everyone knows, lifeguards are very important in assuring the wellbeing of all individuals at the beach. Lifeguards ensure the basic safety of the member of the public by alerting the public of possible hazards, stopping drowning from occurring and rescuing victims when necessary. When beachgoers swim in bodies of water that are not guarded by lifeguards, they are subjecting themselves to a lot of possible threats.

Absence of Supervision:  Typically, the general public will probably overestimate their ability to swim and as result will believe that they are skilled enough to swim devoid of lifeguard supervision. Unfortunately this can be a major miscalculation in most instances. Without a lifeguard to thoroughly supervise swimmers, the general public is in danger of drowning. It is the lifeguard's task to consistently strive to reduce these aspects that trigger drowning.

Given that lifesavers lifeguards are often the very first responders to medical emergencies at water places, it is important that lifeguards are ready with the education and equipment to provide an adequate response. Based on the lifeguarding setting, a lifeguard will be prepared in full EMS or merely with standard first aid training.

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Getting a Lifeguard Certification

In order to get a job as a lifeguard, you will first have to obtain a lifeguard certification. In fact, there are 3 areas of certifications that everyone needs to have. The first is a Lifeguarding certificate that proves you have passed the basic course. The second is proof of CPR/AED training and the third is first aid training. But first in order to be eligible for a lifeguard certification course, you must be at least 15 years old by the date of the last class.

It is not difficult to find certification classes which are offered through local colleges and aquatic facilities as well as the American Red Cross and the YMCA among many other national organizations. Many courses offer training in first aid and CPR as well so it is possible to get all 3 certificates in only 1 class.

To pass the class, students must complete a physical fitness test to prove that they can meet the demands of lifeguard duties. The tests can vary depending on your instructor or the organization but generally you will be required to swim for 300 yards doing both the front crawl and the breaststroke without stopping to rest. The other part of the test usually requires participants to dive for and retrieve a 10 lb weight at the bottom of the pool.

Before enrolling in a class, you should be aware that there are different certification types which each prepare students for a specific aquatic environment with its own unique challenges. For example, the American Red Cross has 4 different classes. The standard Lifeguarding class is for working at a normal pool.

The Water park Lifeguarding is needed to work at a water park and the Waterfront Lifeguarding course is for water environments like ponds, lakes, and rivers. The easiest of the 4 courses is for the Shallow Water Attendant certification which only qualifies you to work at a pool or body of water 4 feet deep or less.

Many other facilities offer similar classes but if you are dreaming of becoming a beach lifeguard, it is a little harder to find a course that specializes in this area because it is more demanding than the others. You will need to find a school that offers a course specifically in "surf" lifeguarding in order to be qualified to work at a beach.

While the lifeguard certification requirements are pretty standard across all areas of the country, it is helpful to know that there may be some state-specific requirements. To find out if the state you live in might be one with unique requirements, ask someone at the aquatic facility where you are thinking about taking your certification course. They will surely know the requirements and be able to give you more detailed information.

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