Lifeguard
What the work is
Looks after the safety of people at beaches, inland water environments, swimming pools and aquatic facilities through supervision, accident prevention and rescue, and educating the public on water safety.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Supervises, scans and patrols designated areas to ensure the safety of swimmers and beachgoers
- Identifies and assesses potential risks and hazards in the water and in immediately surrounding areas
- Educates the public on water safety practices and provides advice on swimming conditions
- Rescues individuals in distress and administers first aid and CPR as necessary
- Maintains and operates rescue equipment and ensures it is in good working order
- Enforces rules and regulations at beach, pool or other swimming locations to prevent accidents and maintain order
- Assists in the coordination or emergency response efforts with other Lifeguards and emergency services
- Conducts regular inspections of swimming areas and facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a patrolled surf beach and the small lifeguard tower behind it, in a fictional coastal town. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A busy summer Saturday where hundreds swim and every one of them goes home dry and happy
- A nervous child learns what the flags mean and tells their parents all about it
- You notice a swimmer drifting early, and a short wave and a whistle fix it
Hard days
- Hot, bright hours of scanning the water without letting your attention slip
- People who ignore the flags, the signs and you, and then get into trouble
- Being the one who has to call everyone out of the water when conditions change
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 462331, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.