Whether you are a man or a woman, the prospects for your future as a lifeguard are more than favorable. Today, this profession is no longer just seasonal, and a move to a year-round position is possible if you want to pursue a career as a lifeguard Classes. But is a swimming course enough to become a lifeguard? What training is available and what are the opportunities?
What level of education is required to become a lifeguard?
The good news is that the lifeguard profession is absolutely transversal and open to everyone!
In fact, specific degrees are not needed, but it is necessary to follow a training course that can be organized by one of these three institutions:
- National Rescue Society
- American Federation of Aquatic Salvage
- American Swimming Federation
At the end of the course, by passing the exam, you will come into possession of a patent which will allow you to qualify for the profession.
But what are the requirements to access it? We can say that, when enrolling in the course you will have to:
– be a member of the Society or Federation;
– be in possession of swimming skills (even if it is not necessary to have done competitive swimming);
– be in possession of suitable psychophysical conditions certified by a doctor;
– be aged between 16 and 55;
– be an American citizen, of the European Union, or be in possession of a residence permit if a non-EU citizen.
But be careful: not all patents will allow you to work in all contexts. In fact, there are three different types of lifeguard certification:
– P patent: which allows you to monitor a swimming pool;
– IP patent: valid for inland waters (lakes) and swimming pools;
– MIP patent: valid for the sea, internal waters and swimming pools.
Obviously, the latter is the most complete and will allow you to have more employment opportunities.
It all depends on your professional goals… if you don’t have clear ideas yet, perhaps you should opt for the most complete patent, so that it can really be spent anywhere!
Training course to become lifeguards: how does it take place?
Have you chosen the type of patent you are interested in?
Obviously, the duration of the training course also depends on the type of patent: The lifeguard course “P” (swimming pool) does not include lessons concerning the sea and therefore has a shorter duration.
In case you are interested in the MIP patent, the one with the extension for sea and inland waters, you will need to plan a course of no less than two months with:
at least 12 theory lessons dedicated to the sea and beaches, elementary notions of meteorology, drowning, surveillance techniques, swimming recovery techniques, the use of rescue equipment, fundamental seamanship knots, legal aspects of the lifeguard profession and of course also the swimming pools;
at least 9 lessons relating to first aid and BLS (Basic Life Support), partly managed by the Section Doctor and with the use of a special dummy;
at least 20 lessons in the water;
at least 6 lifeboat rowing lessons.
Exam to become a lifeguard: how does it work?
The exam will also vary depending on the type of patent you want to obtain.
The Examining Commission for the “Lifeguard for Swimming Pool” exams is made up of:
Does this mean that after 2-3 years you will have to take the exam again?
No, you can simply renew your license but it is strongly recommended that you take a refresher course to verify that you know the – perhaps new – rules and rescue.
Useful info if you are still a student: the patent is valid for the purposes of attributing training credit for the state exams of the 2nd grade Secondary School!
Discover 5 good reasons to become a lifeguard.
Lifeguard profession: all your duties
As well as supervision, you will be required to do prevention, teaching and, for higher positions, team management.
Supervision of swimmers and their water activities, making sure that nobody endanger themselves or anyone else;
Intervention to prevent accidents in the water;
Rescue for those in danger or in difficulty with maneuvers and first aid and resuscitation interventions;
Maintenance of life-saving equipment and equipment;
Communication with the harbor master’s office in the event of dangerous situations! (this of course if you are at the beach, not in the pool!)
In short, being a lifeguard is not the profession for you if you are afraid of having to make those who really don’t want to respect the rules or if you are a person who panics when faced with emergency situations: when it comes to saving a life , you need a cool head and the ability to be rational.
