Outdoor vs. Indoor Guarding

As a lifeguard with experience in both indoor and outdoor environments, I can relate to guards who’ve been in both situations. Besides the fact that no SPF is required at an indoor pool, there are definitely significant differences between the two. Lifeguarding techniques will certainly vary, depending on where your chair is located.

For those who enjoy getting their tan on while working, guarding at an outdoor pool is more than a day at the beach. Pools and beaches are just as different as indoor and outdoor places. Bodies of open water require knowledge of aquatic life, wave size, tide times, etc. and often require a certification beyond a typical lifeguarding one. Whether you’re on the sand on poolside, however, sunscreen is a must—even on overcast days. Attire will differ, for example, a windbreaker, sunglasses, or visor may help depending on the weather. As Mother Nature is unpredictable, outdoor lifeguards may lose shifts during inclement weather and should also be familiar on emergency procedures (like how to clear the pool in case of thunder and lightning).

If your place of employment lies within a Recreation Center or YMCA, than you know that there’s fun outside of the sun. It’s important to always dress for the weather you’ll be guarding in, not the weather outside and you may have to bring your bathing suit to work to change there (especially if there’s snow on the ground!). Although all aquatic environments can pose a slippery risk to people on deck, it’s often more of a possibility at indoor locations, as the water takes longer to dry and decks are often made of slick tile.

But no matter where you guard, our mission is still the same: To protect the lives and wellbeing of swimmers, whether pool or beach, outside or inside.

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