Requirements to Become a Lifeguard
What are the requirements to become a lifeguard? The answer to that depends on a number of things including where you would like to be a guard. The requirements to become a lifeguard at a public pool may be different from those at a lakeside resort. Then again, if you plan to work at a seaside beach resort, the requirements there may be a little tougher. Requirements may also change from state to state and from one locality to the next.
Regardless of where you are planning to work, there are some basic skills and responsibilities that are required of all guards. They can be divided loosely into two categories: requirements you'll need to satisfy before you are accepted, and requirements you'll have to satisfy before you are allowed the responsibility of guarding.
Requirements to Become a Lifeguard - Prerequisites:
An unspoken requirement for guarding is being a reliable mature person with a positive attitude and good people skills. Aside from that there are some other more concrete requirements.
You'll need to be of age. What age that is depends on where you will be applying or getting lifeguard certification training. In the case of the American Red Cross you'll need to be 15 or older. For the YMCA you must be at least 16. Depending on where you are applying, you may need to be over 18 or have a work permit or parental permission to apply.
Next, you must be physically fit. What that means depends again on where you intend to apply or get lifeguard certification. The American Red Cross requires you to swim 300 yards without stopping, starting with 100 yards of the crawl stroke, then 100 yards breast stroke, followed by 100 yards of either crawl or breast stroke. You'll also have to swim 20 yards, retrieve a weighted (10 pound) object 7-10 feet under the surface and return with it 20 yards to the start within a time limit.
Most beach patrols and employers have their own requirements as well. For example, our local beach patrol requires applicants to swim 250 yards in under 4 minutes, run a mile and a half in under 10 minutes, and run from the beach into the surf, swim 100 yards out and back again within a time limit based on surf conditions.
Continue to read more about certification requirements to become a lifeguard.
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