Life Guard - Career Advice - Environments

Lifeguards look after the safety of people at beaches or swimming pools through public relations, public education, accident prevention and rescue.

Lifeguards look after the safety of people in aquatic environments, such as beaches, swimming pools and some amusement parks. Lifeguards perform a variety of roles in addition to providing rescue Future Growth Very Strong services to swimmers in danger. They may also take part in programs to educate the public in water safety, identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the danger, care for lost children and maintain the condition of rescue equipment.

ANZSCO description: 452414: Looks after the safety of people at beaches or
swimming pools through accident prevention and rescue, and educating the public on water safety. This occupation requires high levels of physical fitness, sporting ability and personal commitment as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience. Registration or licensing is required.

Alternative names: Lifesaver, Pool Attendant, Lifeguard,

Specialisations: Pool Lifeguard, Surf Lifeguard

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A lifeguard needs:

a high level of physical fitness
to be able to work well in a team environment
to enjoy working outdoors
to be able to remain calm in an emergency situation
to be observant, and able to identify risks and hazards in and around the water.

Duties and Tasks

Lifeguards may perform the following tasks:

supervise swimmers and bathers to prevent accidents and make sure they follow safety regulations
rescue swimmers in difficulty and provide first aid treatment if required
educate the community on water safety
place signs or barriers to warn of dangerous conditions or areas, and make sure users are aware of potential dangers
caution people behaving in an unsafe manner and expel those who refuse to cooperate
report incidents to management or other authorities
design and implement emergency procedures
undertake basic water quality control and testing procedures
maintain rescue equipment
care for lost children
perform basic administrative duties such as writing reports.

Working conditions

Most lifeguards work outdoors, in all weather conditions, ranging from extremely hot conditions to cold and windy. Some pool lifeguards work at indoor pools, where it can become very humid. Lifeguards generally work long hours, which includes early mornings, evenings and weekends, and especially during peak seasons, such as the Christmas holidays.

Tools and technologies

All lifeguards, regardless of where they are working, make use of general first aid equipment and wear easily identifiable uniforms (though pool lifeguard uniforms vary between individual venues). Lifeguards working outdoors also require appropriate protection from the sun, such as hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.

When carrying out general maintenance duties, pool lifeguards use water-testing equipment, lane ropes and cleaning equipment. Some surf lifeguards use specialised vehicles to assist in patrolling beaches and carrying out rescues - these include, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), surf-skis and small power boats. They also use the distinctive red and yellow flags to mark out areas of water that are safe to swim in, and two-way radios to keep in contact with other lifeguards.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a lifeguard you need to obtain special certifications from the relevant body.

To become a pool lifeguard you need to complete a Pool Lifeguard certificate issued by the Royal Life Saving Society – in each State and Territory of Australia, and hold a current Bronze Medallion Certificate.

To become an ocean lifeguard you need to hold a current Bronze Medallion, and complete courses in Provide Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, Provide Emergency Care for Suspected Spinal Injury, Basic Beach Management (Silver Medallion). You will also need to have a current driver’s licence (provisional or higher). You may also require a motorised rescue craft licence.

Ocean lifeguards require this additional training in order to be able to deal with the unique challenges posed by working in a dynamic and changing ocean environment. Ocean lifeguards also require a high level of physical fitness and are required to undertake a fitness assessment.

Employment Opportunities

Pool lifeguards are employed by local councils or by private commercial pool owners. Indoor facilities and some councils retain people all year round, but there are more opportunities for outdoor pool and beach work during the warmer months, or casual work during school holidays and on weekends. Ocean lifeguards are employed by seaside councils or private commercial contractors such as Surf Life Saving and Lifeguarding Services Australia.

Did You Know?

History of Life Saving Started in Australia!

During the 1850s in Sydney, NSW, Councils employed staff to manage protected waters and swimming pools in and around lakes, estuaries, lagoons and harbours. These managers provided water safety as part of their overall regulatory role and by the 1880s coastal Councils employed numerous foreshore managers who performed water safety duties as well as managing foreshore areas including beaches.

The increase in surf bathing popularity following the legalisation of swimming at beaches in daylight hours in the early 1900s resulted in a greater number of foreshore managers providing first aid and performing ocean rescues. At this time the first beach inspectors were employed to manage beach activity and beach water safety.

Lifeguard on Queensland Beach

Moloolaba Beach, Qld

Some Australian Councils today continue to incorporate the term 'beach inspector' as part the job title for their professional ocean lifeguards.
(Source: APOLA)