Lifeguard jobs
Type of Job
Working as a lifeguard it is your job to make sure that swimmers are safe - this can be in a pool, a lake, or in the sea.
What is the job about?
Lifeguards work to prevent accidents at all types of swimming facilities. They have to remain constantly alert, identifying dangerous situations and acting quickly if swimmers are in distress. Exact duties vary according to where you work:
Pool lifeguard:
- Keep a close watch on the pool either by patrolling the edge of the pool or sitting in a raised observation chair
- Watch for swimmers in difficulty
- Stop any kind of dangerous behaviour
- Use life-saving techniques when necessary
- Provide first aid as needed
- Maintain pool by regularly checking water temperature, pH and chlorine levels
- Set up equipment (e.g. lane lines) as needed.
Beach lifeguard:
- Oversee users of beaches and inland waterways
- Advise when and where swimming is safe
- Ensure that people stay in safe areas
- Identify potential hazards and take necessary action
- Use life-saving techniques when necessary
- Provide first aid as needed
Key Skills & Knowledge needed
In addition to excellent swimming skills, lifeguards need to have:
- Excellent observational skills
- High levels of concentration
- A calm disposition
- A confident manner
- Clear communication skills, particularly in emergency situations
- Authority to deal with people who are breaking safety rules
Qualifications and experience needed
First and foremost you must be physically fit and a strong swimmer. In addition, minimum age requirements are 16 for a pool lifeguard, 18 or over for beach lifeguards.
Pool lifeguards need one of the following qualifications:
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ): Awarded by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS), you will need to demonstrate a good standard of swimming, and preferably have some experience of lifesaving, e.g. RLSS lifesaving awards.
The NaRS qualifications: Awarded by the Swimming Teachers' Association (STA), and include:
- Level 2 Certificate for National Rescue Standard - Pool Attendant
- Level 2 Certificate for National Rescue Standard - Poolside Helper
- Level 2 Certificate for National Rescue Standard - Pool Lifeguard.
Beach lifeguards need either the RLSS National Beach Lifeguard Qualification or the NaRS Beach Lifeguard.
You can obtain these by:
- Joining a local RLSS Lifeguard club or SLSA GB Life Saving club as a volunteer and train with them
- Training with a commercial training organisation.
Once qualified, you can apply for work with local authorities or with the RNLI.
To work for the RNLI you must meet the following standards of fitness:
- 200m pool swim in 3.5 minutes
- 400m pool swim in 7.5 minutes
- 25m pool swim underwater followed by 25m surface swim in 50 seconds
- 200m beach run in 40 seconds.
What other training and development could I do?
If you wish to develop your skills, you could look at the NVQ Level 2 in Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations. For those working at a beach, there is also training in specialist equipment like inflatable rescue boats, rescue watercraft (jet skis) and quad bikes.
Salary and benefit expectations
Salaries range from ?11,500 to ?15,000 a year. However, most lifeguards work part-time, and are paid from ?6 to ?10 or more an hour.
Where else can I go for more information?
The following have the information you need:
Surf Life Saving Association of Great Britain (SLSA GB)
1st Floor
19 Southernhay West
Exeter
EX1 1PJ
www.surflifesaving.org.uk
Swimming Teachers' Association (STA)
Anchor House
Birch Street
Walsall
West Midlands
WS2 8HZ
Tel: 01922 645097
www.sta.co.uk
SkillsActive
Castlewood House
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300
www.skillsactive.com
RNLI
West Quay Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 1HZ
Tel: 0845 045 6999
www.rnli.org.uk/lifeguards
Royal Lifesaving Society UK (RLSS)
River House
High Street
Broom
Warwickshire
B50 4HN
Tel: 01789 773994
www.lifesavers.org.uk
