Lifeguarding can undoubtedly be a demanding job; it may take a toll on you physically, mentally, or even emotionally. From long hours spent under the hot sun or in a humid, chlorine-scented setting to constantly yelling at misbehaving kids and having to clean locker rooms or pool decks, guarding is far from a day at the beach.
Due to its very nature, lifeguarding should never be a 24/7 solo kind of job. Guards will likely change shifts or at the very least rotate positions or chairs while on duty. To maintain the highest level of safety and make for a smooth transition while alternating, it is of vital importance to communicate with your co-workers and always remain conscious of the aquatic environment around you.
In terms of rotating positions, always be mindful of the time if you’re the guard in charge of initiating it. Whether you change spots hourly or every 15 minutes, it’s essential and more effective to remain consistent during rotations—especially if one of those positions is the much desired “down guard,” who gets a brief break. During the actual maneuvers, establish which person will be in charge of keeping an eye on the pool if rotations involve climbing up or down a chair.
For changing shifts, the same above rules apply. In addition, always arrive to work on time and be ready to guard as soon as the previous shift is scheduled to be done. It should be standard protocol to ask the guard you’re relieving about any pertinent information about the swimmers, weather, or any other relevant knowledge. Sharing is definitely caring.
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