How to Become a Lifeguard

Lifeguarding is a favorite summer job. To qualify, you may need to take one or several classes to beef up your skills in CPR, first aid and lifeguarding. Certification is almost always required.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sandals
• Sun Visor Or Billed Hat
• Sunglasses
• Swimming Trunks
• Swimsuits
• Sunscreen
• Online Career Search
• résumé software

1. Decide where you want to work. You could be a pool, water park or beach lifeguard. Age and certification requirements vary for each job.

2. Take a lifeguard training course, such as the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training class. This class will give you basic certification as a lifeguard and will teach you surveillance and rescue skills, CPR and first aid. Also, take other classes as required including general first aid and CPR courses.

3. Brush up on your people skills. Lifeguards with the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification can teach swimming and aquatic safety classes and will need to interact with other staff members, children and adults.

4. Fill out an application. You may be required to take written and physical tests.

5. Increase your credentials with advanced training, such as the Red Cross Head Lifeguard and Professional Rescuer courses.

Tips & Warnings

• You must be at least 15 years old to take the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training class, although there is also a GuardStart class for kids ages 11 to 14. Call your local American Red Cross office to find out about classes. For some beach lifeguard jobs, such as those in Los Angeles County and San Diego County, you are required to try out to enroll in their training academies.

• If you want to work in the real-life setting for the popular television show "Baywatch", send a request for an application to: Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291. Tests are held annually, usually in September.