Time to Change

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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Top 10 Lifeguarding Locations

Looking for a unique lifeguarding job with amazing opportunities to interact with diverse people and exotic locations? Here's a map with my personal favorites for the 10 best lifeguarding locations in the United States.


1. Disney World (Orlando, Florida)
2. The South Shore (Waikiki, Hawaii-Click and drag on map image westward)
3. Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
4. Nashville Shores Outdoor Water Park (Hermitage, Tennessee)
5. Newport Beach (Newport Beach, California)
6. Bellagio Hotel Pool (Las Vegas, Nevada)
7. Kalahari Resorts (Sandusky, Ohio)
8. Splash Universe (Dundee, Michigan)
9. CoCo Key Water Resort (Omaha, Nebraska)
10. Chelsea Piers (New York, New York)


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How to Find a Lifeguarding Job

We’ve all heard it on the 6 o’clock news or as the hot topic of conversation while waiting in line at the grocery store—the economy is tough and it’s hard to find jobs. Thankfully for lifeguards everywhere, the aquatic community hasn’t suffered as much as the stock market. If you are a responsible and enthusiastic individual, it truly shouldn’t be too difficult to find a place or pool to work no matter where your location is.

Your first step is to become certified as a lifeguard and/or make sure your certifications are up-to-date before you can ask to be hired. See my post on how to become a lifeguard for more information. When I first obtained my Red Cross certification at 16, I didn’t even have a job lined up yet—but I knew I really wanted to guard and a job soon followed. Due to warmer weather and summer vacations, there tends to be more lifeguarding jobs available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. However, you can begin your search anywhere from January on, as companies like to staff early.

A great method for finding a job is to take a look at the different aquatic environments in your community, which would need lifeguards. Country clubs, park pools, recreation centers, and YMCAs are all obvious potential employers. And don’t forget about the less traditional guarding jobs, like water parks and beaches.

Who you know can always help, so see if you know anyone who works at or regularly attends these places and can put in a good word. Call the company or even stop by their location in person to apply. And if all else fails, get creative and ask a pool which may have a “swim at your own risk, no guard on duty” policy—they may very well take you up on the offer.

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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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