Have you ever fantasized about being a lifeguard on a sunny, sandy beach and saving the day? Of course, being a lifeguard can be a glamorous job, and is a great way to spend your summer perfecting your tan. Getting a job as a lifeguard requires the proper certification and training. Here’s what you need to know in order to get started on your own lifeguard summer career!
Lifeguard Certification Requirements & Eligibility
In order to be a lifeguard, you will need to be certified in CPR, and First Aid. You will also need to know how to swim very well, and some institutions will require you to take swimming lessons and certification courses in order to become a lifeguard through them. You will need to have a certain level of health, as well. In some states, there is no maximum age requirement for lifeguarding certification. You will have to be at least 16 years old to be a lifeguard in most areas, though, so you may need to wait a while if you are still in high school.
Lifeguard Certification Cost
The prices on getting certified as a lifeguard vary as much as the different places that you can get certified. Many times, you don’t have to actually pay anything to become a certified lifeguard. These courses and certifications are available for free. If you take your courses and training at a local YMCA or similar, you will probably have to pay around $75 to get certified. Some areas will need a special certification at their local club, or will need you to buy your CPR and First Aid certification as an extra cost. It is extremely rare to have to pay more than $200 total for this certification.
Lifeguard Certification Training, Courses & Preparation
Most of the time, you can get your lifeguard certification from the local community center, the local YMCA, and even at certain local pool areas. You can also inquire for certification courses at the local Red Cross chapter. Starfish Aquatics, NESCO, and Ellis & Associates also offer highly regarded lifeguard certificates. If you are still in high school, you might want to ask your gym teacher about getting your certification through your high school’s program.
Your preparation for your certification is going to be very intense. In order to be a lifeguard, you will have to be a GREAT swimmer. This means that you will spend a lot of time in the pool, a lot of time in the gym, and a lot of time just training by the beach.
A lot of the preparation you will have to do is emotional preparation, especially if you are younger. For the first time in your life, you will be responsible for other peoples’ lives. That’s a very big thing to think about if you are becoming a lifeguard. It may not even sink in until you actually have to safe a life.
Lifeguard Training: CPR & First Aid Certification
It’s best to check ahead of time to make sure that your lifeguard training courses will include CPR and First Aid certification. Otherwise, you might find out that you aren’t as eligible for a job as you once thought you were. If you don’t have CPR & First Aid certification, it’s best to ask the local Red Cross or YMCA if you can get certified in time for your life guard tests.
If you get these certificates in conjunction with your lifeguard certification, then you’re in luck. You are in a very convenient position.
CPR and First Aid certification aren’t like much of the lifeguard training that you will receive in the sense that you can use it both on land and in water. These certifications are also great to have if you want to be an EMT or a nurse later on in life. A little bit of experience makes a huge difference in the job market.
The bottom line is that getting your lifeguard certification opens up a lot of doors, and will definitely make summer a brand new adventure. You will get a lot more fresh air, learn a lot about your local beach (or pool), and very likely make friends. This makes it ideal for students who are strapped for cash, as well as surfing enthusiasts who just can’t get enough of the sun. If you ever wanted to become a lifeguard, now is the time to try out your skills and earn your certificate.