I want to be a Lifeguard.?

Hello. For Ocean Lifeguarding one must have exceptional physical fitness and outstanding swimming ability.

I don't know where you are located, but here in Southern California all the local agencies have long since finished selecting candidates. That gives you until next Spring to get ready. Most competitive selections occur in March and into the beginning of April. Most agencies have hundreds of persons competing for a couple dozen openings. It is highly competetive even to get selected for the training, and that does not necessarily guarantee you a job.

I would start with a general fitness program that emphasizes swimming, but which also includes distance running and some strength training.

Take CPR and First Aid classes and get both beginning and advanced/professional certifications. An EMT certification is a big plus.

Think about getting the American Red Cross Lifeguard certification (or equivilent) and work as a Pool Lifeguard for a season. That gives you excellent experience, putting you ahead of the game vis-a-vis some of the other people that compete for this job.

To be selected one usually first must complete a run-swim-run. Usually a 500 yard (or more) run followed by a mile swim follwed by another 500 yard (or more) run. Those that do well in this are invited to an interview. Agencies most often provide their own Lifeguard training including CPR and First Aid certification, but having those completed ahead of time is a big plus.

Good Luck. This is a professional level job with life-or-death responsibilities.

Take the class. whether or not you have a great butterfly doesn't matter, unless you are going to teach or coach. I have guarded, taught lifeguarding and hired lifeguards. You need to be strong in the water and confident in your ability. A lot of lifeguarding isn't necessarily done in the water. Depending on which certifying agency you go through, the requirements will vary slightly. If you want to work at a specific facility, call them and find out which certifications they accept. If it is an Ellis managed facility, they will only hire Ellis trained lifeguards. Most places will take American Red Cross, Ellis, or YMCA certifications. You'll need to also pass CPR, First Aid, AED certification tests as well. If you're an okay swimmer you'll pass, You'll just need to work a little harder than someone who is a good or excellent swimmer. If you are smart and have good common sense and people skills you'll be a good lifeguard. If you live in South Florida, let me know and I'll tell you to apply at the City I work for and when we will be having classes. If not check your local Red Cross chapter. Good Luck!

You can start by contacting your American Red Cross-getting their safety certification and lifesaving certification. A city's beach patrol office could help with the other educational inquiries-I know they have certification and schooling-we all see them in So. CA-I'm sure its like firefigfhter school or police academy-set up through the state or county. You'd have to pass certain req to get in to start and then pass testing to certify.

yes my daughter took lifeguard classes, she says its harder for beach training. but her class was a week long and you have to take a test first to see if you can swim so many laps, then its about cpr then its situations and saving ppl, where you actually have to dive.

go to your local sports centre and ask about the courses....they'll probably run a week long course that allows you to become an ocean lifeguard, but you need to make sure you definitely want to, as these are very expensive. :)
these courses need to be redone at least every 3 years as well, so once you'rew sure you want to, fin out about a course and start saving!
annabel xx

train at The American Red Cross then fill out an application and wherever you want to go.

i was a lifguard for two years..just go into the lifeguard place and they will tell you where you can take the test..its easy.

do u know how to swim!!!! hehe:P well try some of this online job offers...best of luck(here is a star to wish u good luck!)

ask a lifeguard.

If you would like to be an ocean lifeguard, you must be very stronger and a good swimmer. When signing up for a certification course, you must find one which trains for open ocean or surf lifeguarding. The curriculum is defined by the United States Lifesaving Association. Only agencies certified by USLA can provide surf lifeguard certification training.

Wish you all the best!

You must have basic Lifegaurd training. Which you can take at pretty much an pool. Furthermore you have to fufill certian requirements. you need to be able to swim 1000m and you need first aid training. The specifications are listed on the website in my sources

Community Colleges sometimes offer lifeguard courses. Also check out the Red Cross -
http://www.redcross-cmd.org/Chapter/lifeguard.html