My first job was lifeguarding a local public pool near my hometown of Marietta. To become a lifeguard, I had to get certified in lifeguarding, CPR, first aid, and oxygen administration. The minimum age to become certified in lifeguarding is 16 so I guarded the summer after my sophomore year of high school. I was pretty nervous my first year at the pool. Lifeguarding comes with a lot of responsibility and I wondered whether I would be ready to handle a situation like saving somebody’s life. Lifeguarding is a pretty relaxed job and the people I worked with were a lot of fun. I remember my first ‘save’. I was guarding on a fairly busy day because it was nice out and a little girl jumped into the deep end and went over her head. I jumped out of my chair and pulled her out of the pool quickly. It feels good when you help someone but it also makes your heart race whenever you get out of the chair for a save. Since my first year I have guarded for five years with my local YMCA and I’ve guarded at 6 different public and private pools. I have always gotten along with and made friends with the people I have worked with. We always find ways to make work fun. Lifeguarding can be pretty boring and sometimes stressful so you have to find ways to have fun and enjoy it.
All of my friends from back home have become lifeguards. I think it would've been a fun job...except I can't swim. No big deal, right?
ReplyDeleteI have never been a lifegaurd but I think it would be fun. However, I have my own pool in my back yard so being a lifegaurd at a public pool would be a little odd for me.
ReplyDeleteI started my lifeguard training at one point but became too sick to attend most of the classes. Not feeling like paying the cash again, I stuck to the concession job at the pool.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to lifeguard, but I picture it mostly as lounging in the sun. I guess there's responsibility there that I simply don't want to have.
ReplyDeleteMost days you are just lounging in the sun but its important not to lose your focus of what is happening around you because if something happens, you are responsible.
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool that you actually helped someone. It's good that you were paying attention.
ReplyDeleteit's a good feeling to help somebody, i always pay attention because i would feel so bad if something happened and it was my fault
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