How long can lifeguards work

To get this certificate, candidates must take longer, more intensive courses of instruction, be at least seventeen years old, and be able to teach all levels of swimmers from beginners to senior lifesavers. To maintain the validity of the Water Safety Instructor certificate, lifeguards must teach at least one course in swimming or lifesaving every two years. Interested individuals should apply directly to the beaches or pools where they would like to work.

They should be prepared to show their skills before being hired. Many employers prefer to hire lifeguards who can also teach swimming. Newspaper want ads sometimes list job opportunities for lifeguards. Summer resort areas are excellent places to look for a job. The local office of the American Red Cross may be able to assist candidates in their job search as well.

Qualified lifeguards may become swimming instructors. Lifeguards who have a few years of experience and have learned the techniques of running a pool may advance to become pool operators. Many states require these individuals to have a pool operator's card, which verifies that the cardholder understands the basic principles of pool sanitation.

The job outlook for lifeguards is changing. An expansion of tourist and recreational facilities has increased the number of openings available, but the low hourly salaries have made it difficult for resorts to fill these positions. Competition for jobs at high-paying establishments is keen.

Experienced lifeguards are in a better position than new workers to negotiate for higher fees. Most lifeguards are students who enjoy the water. They must be strong swimmers and patient observers, focusing all of their attention on the swimmers they have been hired to protect.

If they work at outdoor pools or beaches they must be prepared to spend many hours in the hot sun. Fifteen-year-olds who are properly certified may be employed as lifeguards stationed at the splashdown pools located at the bottom of elevated water slides.

Youth under 16 years of age may not be employed as lifeguards at natural environment facilities such as rivers, steams, lakes, ponds, quarries, reservoirs, wharfs, piers, or ocean-side beaches.

The employment of and year-olds, including those year-olds employed as lifeguards, is generally limited to:. Also, such youth may not work before 7 a. Fourteen- and year-olds, including properly certified year-olds who are employed as lifeguards, may not be employed in the following occupations that are often found at establishments that have traditional swimming pools:. Youth under 14 years of age are generally not allowed to work in nonagricultural occupations.

However, the FLSA does allow a parent who is the sole-owner of a business to employ his or her child in any occupations other than mining, manufacturing or those declared to be hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. For more information on the FLSA child labor provisions, including a complete list of all hazardous occupation orders, visit the YouthRules!

When state child labor laws differ from the federal provisions, an employer must comply with the higher standard. This publication is for general information and is not to be considered in the same light as official statements of position contained in the regulations.

The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. Child labor Provisions of the FLSA The federal child labor provisions were enacted to protect the educational opportunities of minors and prohibit their employment in jobs and under conditions detrimental to their health or well-being 18 years of age Once a minor reaches 18 years of age, the federal child labor provisions no longer apply to their employment.

Under the federal child labor provisions, workers under 18 years of age generally may not : Operate or assist to operate, clean, oil, set up, adjust, or repair certain power-driven woodworking, metalworking, bakery, meat processing, and paper products machinery - including meat slicers, compactors, balers, mixers, and saws.

Drive or serve as an outside-helper on a motor vehicle on a public road; but year- olds who meet certain specific requirements may drive automobiles and trucks that do not exceed 6, pounds gross vehicle weight for limited amounts of time during daylight hours as part of their job.

Operate power-driven hoists such as elevators, cranes, derricks, and high-lift trucks. However, and year-olds may operate and assist in the operation of most water amusement park and recreation establishment rides.

Load, operate, or unload power-driven balers and compactors used in the disposal of waste. Lifeguards working at pools keep guests safe while swimming or splashing around.

Today, a pool can be a simple rectangular lap pool, a water park full of slides, wave pools, splash pads and more, or something in between. Each type of pool or aquatic center comes with its own set of challenges for lifeguards to be aware of. When do lifeguards start their day? Shifts for lifeguards can vary, especially if both full-time and part-time hours are offered, or if the pool has long hours.

Generally, some lifeguards will need to arrive before the pool opens and the guests start arriving. They will check in at a main office or lifeguard station to start their day. If there are several different posts around the swimming area, the lifeguards will likely be assigned specific posts to attend to.

They may need to ensure their stations are stocked with floatation devices, backboards and first aid kits. Some lifeguards may be required to do some cleanup work on the decks, lifeguard chairs and other equipment. Some may even check the pool water for the right chemical levels. Throughout the day, a lifeguard will generally spend about 20 minutes to 30 minutes at a time at their assigned post. Once at a post, the lifeguard cannot leave the area and must stay alert and vigilant , watching the water.

At the end of the to minute segment, the lifeguards will rotate posts.