Do you love water? Do you have a keen eye for safety? Can you swim like a fish?

If you answered yes to these questions, becoming a lifeguard may be the perfect summer job or career for you! The first step to becoming a teenage lifeguard is to ensure you are physically and mentally equipped for the job.

It’s a very important position, and teenagers are excellent at fulfilling this job because they can relate to children and adolescents. It is their job to keep safe the young swimmers they are responsible for watching.

Read on to learn more about the requirements to become a teenage lifeguard.

1. Necessary Physical Qualifications

These typically include the ability to swim and a good level of overall fitness. Many lifeguarding organizations require their lifeguards to be able to swim a certain number of laps in a certain amount of time. Lifeguards may also be required to be able to jump from a pool platform and swim underwater for a specified distance and time.

The necessary physical qualifications depend upon the particular lifeguarding organization and may vary in accordance with age, jurisdiction, and the type of facility.

2. Minimum Age Requirements

To become a teenage lifeguard, one must meet specific minimum age requirements. The minimum age requirement to work as a lifeguard generally ranges between 15-16 years of age, depending on the employer’s specific needs and rules. 

3. Required Training Courses

It is necessary to receive the needed training courses. All lifeguards must complete the American Red Cross Safety Training Courses.  These include Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED classes, which teach aquatic rescue, surveillance, First Aid, CPR, and AED.

There is also specialized training like the ones by MyCPR NOW. These certifications focus on first and CPR certification. If a guard is 16 or older, they must also successfully complete the American Red Cross Bloodborne Pathogens Training course.

4. Necessary Technical Skills

Certain technical skills are necessary. At the beginning of training, a lifeguard must learn how to do CPR, rescue skills, and first aid.

As the training progresses, lifeguards must demonstrate proficiency in these skills. They must be able to recognize signs of distress and take quick action to ensure the safety of patrons. The lifeguard should have excellent swimming skills and be able to demonstrate a swim test.

Additionally, lifeguards must have knowledge of pool safety rules and regulations. They should be able to remember in-service training sessions and scan for any possible dangers in their area.

5. Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills

Qualifications to become a teenage lifeguard include excellent communication and conflict resolution skills. You must be able to appropriately communicate with visitors at the pool, parents, and other staff members.

In order to become qualified, lifeguards must have the ability to be firm yet diplomatic when dealing with patrons and patrons’ children when necessary.

In a pool setting, it is important for lifeguards to have exceptional skills for resolving conflicts between people. A good lifeguard should be well-trained in how to de-escalate a situation and help patrons understand their decisions.

Take the Plunge and Be a Teenage Lifeguard Today

Qualifications to become a teenage lifeguard go beyond lifeguarding certification and basic swimming knowledge. To be successful, individuals need the right attitude and skills. Becoming one is both rewarding and challenging.

You can make a difference for your community with the right attitude and skills. Apply for lifeguard certification today and explore your career in lifeguarding!

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