Lifeguard Essay

Just imagine it, Pamela Anderson running down a hot beach in the cutest red lifeguard bathing suit while the wind is blowing her hair in slow motion. This is the image that Hollywood portrays as the ideal lifeguard. However realistic Baywatch may seem, it is far from reality. Lifeguarding is thought of as easy going and care free, but it is quite the opposite. A lifeguard must remain alert and aware at all times because a normal day could easily turn into a life or death situation. Becoming a lifeguard is a relatively simple process. The major steps include: becoming certified, passing the written test and finding a job. After that, learning the everyday techniques on the job will be second nature. Swimming, as one can imagine, has been
The first step to becoming a lifeguard is finding a local venue to take a lifeguarding class. There are several places that offer these sort of classes. For example, the YMCA and any Red Cross organization usually have these classes year round. The duration of the class on average lasts about a week, and the fee varies upon location-around $150. The price may seem steep, however one will quickly make that on the job. In the lifeguard class, there are certain training procedures and certification requirements. Jeff Ellis & Associates is one of the many certification programs that municipalities offer for lifeguard certification classes. In this specific program, training begins with basic life support which consists of compressions, CPR, ventilations, learning how to use the AED, and the stages of drowning. Compressions are used when a MID or “member in distress” is choking or the airway is blocked. To perform this operation the rescuer kneels over the MID and with two hands and pumps the chest (on the sternum) at a depth of 2/3 of the thoracic cavity. The rescuer does this thirty times or until the object is dislodged and the airway is cleared. Cardiopulmonary
The guard will need to compile a resume and apply to a venue. The facility where the class was taken is usually open for hiring and will probably be the most likely job opportunity. After having received the job, a guard must learn the ropes of working as a lifeguard in a specific facility. Using the YMCA for example there are several procedures that a guard must know in order to adequately perform their role. One is checking the chemicals, which is required at the beginning of each shift. Another odds and ends task that a guard is required to know is a swim test. Guests under the age of 13 are required to pass a swim test to be able to access certain areas of the pool, such as the deep end. Lastly, if a guard is working the closing shift there are several tasks one must do to close down the pool. The most important task is cleaning the sauna and steam room, which can be disgusting at times. Also all the trash located on the pool deck must be disposed of and the trash cans must be emptied. The mats must be cleaned and the locker room entrances to the pool must be locked. The trauma kit must be checked for functionality and finally the pool lights must be turned off. After learning all of these things, one is finally considered a lifeguard, and may live their life in content knowing they have what it takes to save a life.  Baywatch might look vain and shallow compared to what the real lifeguards