The best beach lifeguard jobs are highly sought after and highly competitive. A beach lifeguard is in charge of overseeing all water-related activities in a designated area of a natural or man-made body of water. Depending on the size of the beach, at least two lifeguards are usually assigned to the area. A boat or other type of watercraft may be available to assist a patron in an emergency.
You must have successfully completed the lifeguard certification required the local municipality in order to qualify for beach lifeguard jobs. The Red Cross® or the Royal Lifesaving Society® issue this certification in North America. Both of these organizations have a training program that all applicants must complete. This certificate is earned through a combination of written and performance-based exams. The certificate must also be renewed every two years to remain valid.
When looking for beach lifeguard jobs, think about the different beaches in your area and the unique challenges that each one presents. If at all possible, go to each location and observe the patrons’ behavior as well as the site’s challenges.
A public beach near a children’s playground, for example, will draw families with small children. Examine the water’s depth and look for any physical markers that indicate where the depth changes. Examine the lifeguard stand’s location in relation to the shoreline and estimate how long it would take to cover the distance if necessary.
A beach on an island with several nightclubs will draw a completely different set of customers. Look around the area to see if there is any lighting. Find out what types of watercraft are available in your area and what you’ll need to rent one. Determine the time it will take for emergency crews to arrive and examine the supplies provided to see if they are adequate in an emergency.
Look for amenities such as restaurants, shops, shelters, and transportation in the area surrounding the beach. In the last three to five years, look into the number of accidents and water-related incidents at that beach. Avoid areas with a high incident rate, as this value is often the result of a combination of issues. The best beach lifeguard jobs are in places where you won’t have to use your lifesaving techniques very often.