So I’m 16 and over spring break this year I took a Lifeguarding course. I’m a swimmer, I’ve been one all my life, but that’s not the issue.
I’m 5’6 and not very strong. The pool that I would lifeguard at goes up to 13 feet and there are a bunch of old fat people who swim there (no disrespect). My issue is that I don’t think I would be capable of saving them in that deep of water. I took the test to pass the class in 10 feet and I saved like a 1 pound boy. I’m just nervous that I just won’t be able to save someone and that they may drown on my watch.
I have a lot of pressure to get a job because my parents don’t have a lot of money and I’m gonna be a senior next year doing a lot of stuff. I feel like I have to be a lifeguard because they pay the most and my dad paid for the $150 class. There honestly aren’t any other pools in my area so it’s not like I can just find another pool.
What do you think about my situation?
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✅ Answers
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~ Lifeguard training is designed to teach you how to PREVENT drownings through proper scanning and recognizing swimmers in distress before they become active drowning victims. You were likely also trained how to use a rescue tube to save someone.
~ Backboarding someone out of the water in the deep end requires strength even if you have plenty of rescue tubes.
~ Fat people don’t weigh as much as muscled people because muscle weighs more than fat.
~ If you are this nervous and filled with doubt after all of your training then lifeguarding may not be the job for you.
~ Do you have the job yet? Most places begin hiring for Summer several months in advance. Actually office work pays the most.
I was a certified public lifeguard for six years at the Waterpark level. It can be very exciting and nerve-recking at the same time. Yes, I have jumped out of tall towers, had back-board spinal rescues, as well as, boring days where I stare at an almost empty pool (and you will too). It also depends what sort of guard you are going to be. Obviously, an Ocean lifeguard can be very difficult at times due to clarity of water and patron population. The higher the difficulty, the more extensive training. My advice is listen to your instructor. Read the book and study grids of when to perform CPR vs rescue breathing on an adult, child or baby, etc. Most importantly, practice until perfect. When in time of an emergency your adrenaline is high, you don’t have time to think about what to do.
This is typical for a new lifeguard, all you need to do is just focus and pay close attention. Remember, normally only small children drown. So you have a slim chance of an adult seriously drowning. And don’t worry, being a life guard is not as hard as it sounds. Just remember to stay serious, but have fun at the same time.
Source(s): Experience