Are you looking for a part time job this summer? Do you enjoy swimming and having a leadership role?  If so, I would strongly suggest becoming a lifeguard.   However, unlike many other part time jobs, becoming a lifeguard is a serious job.  It takes a significant amount of time to become certified.  There is a lot of training involved before you can become a lifeguard which is not necessary in most other jobs. Read this article to learn more about how to become a certified lifeguard!

   Now, you may be wondering what in fact a job as a lifeguard entails. As a lifeguard, you are paid to supervise bodies of water like pools, lakes and water parks to make sure no one gets hurt or drowns. Another part of the job is teaching young children and adults the importance of being water safe. Many people do not understand the dangers of water and how in an instant such a fun, innocent summer activity can turn deadly in a second. Follow these steps listed below in order to become a lifeguard! 

​

Step 1: Before beginning the entire process if you want to become a lifeguard you must be a strong swimmer and someone who enjoys learning new things. The first certifications needed to become a lifeguard is the Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid. In Ottawa, many of the training available usually put Bronze Med. and Emergency first aid together so lifeguards in training can get these certifications together in less time. This course is basically the introduction to lifeguard training. During your Bronze Medallion you will learn how to properly assess someone who is struggling and needs to be rescued, what to do, and how to prevent this situation from happening to begin with. In other words, during this certification you will learn the proper judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness necessary to make good decisions in,on and around water. Furthermore, in the emergency first aid training you will learn the proper way to help people who have bruises, bleeding, broken bones and other external injuries which as a lifeguard are important to know like the back of your hand. This certification takes a minimum of two weeks to complete and at the end of the two weeks there is a final exam that you must pass in order to obtain this lifeguard certification.

Step 2: Next, once completing Bronze Medallion, you are now eligible to take the Bronze Cross as well as the Standard First Aid certification. During this certification you will learn more in depth about many things from Bronze Medallion as well as how to manage the role of being a lifeguard assistant (similar to a lifeguard but with less authority). Standard First Aid is a more detailed course that includes what to do when a victim has a deep cut, embedded object, heat stroke, heart attacks and seizures. Although seeing these types of problems at a pool deck is unlikely, lifeguards are paid to know what to do in these high stress situations. Similar to Bronze Medallion, this course takes a minimum of two weeks to complete with a final exam at the end. 

 

Step 3: National Lifeguard is the final certification needed to become a fully certified lifeguard. After successfully completing this course you are now able to apply to any lifeguard position you would like! In this specific course, you will learn how to manage a pool or area of water by yourself, and how to communicate with other lifeguards using hand signals and whistles. By this course, it should be second nature to know what to do in emergency situations and when it is necessary to call emergency services. National Lifeguard also takes a bit longer to complete than Bronze Cross and Bronze Medallion because it covers a lot more information. After completing National Lifeguard, there are many more certifications you are able to get however these are optional, not needed. For example, many lifeguards choose to obtain a Swimmers Course in which they learn how to teach children to swim. Many people also take Airway Management in which you learn how and when to properly administer oxygen to a victim in need.

In conclusion, although the path to becoming a lifeguard seems lengthy, the sacrifice is worth it! Not only do these certifications last a lifetime but they also look amazing on a highschool resume. In all, being a lifeguard is a fun, interesting job that is by far one the best ways to spend your summer!