Lifeguarding For Dummies

Save lives, earn money, stay in shape, and have fun as a lifeguard

Lifeguarding For Dummies will give you insight into what it takes to be a lifeguard, and how to train and prepare to be a lifesaver. Lifeguarding is a fun, challenging, and rewarding job that gives you the unique ability to provide your community with a safe place to swim. It also requires quick decision-making and provides you with valuable lifelong skills, such as CPR and first aid, leadership, strong communication, and teamwork. This book walks you through the process of training, preparing for certification, and finding a job as a lifeguard. Good lifeguards are in high demand right now—check out this great job with the help of Dummies.

• Learn about the essential skills that are needed to become a lifeguard
• Decide whether lifeguarding is the right job for you
• Understand the basic types of lifeguarding jobs and how to get certified
• Try fun swimming workouts to get you prepared for lifeguarding tests

This fun book is perfect for anyone who wants to explore the possibility of becoming a lifeguard, gain some basic knowledge and prep for tests, and learn about the lifestyle of the lifeguarding community.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Lifeguarding 7

Chapter 1: Lifeguarding 101 9

Chapter 2: The Elements of Lifeguarding 31

Chapter 3: The History of Lifeguarding 59

Part 2: Lifeguarding in the Different Facilities 73

Chapter 4: The Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard 75

Chapter 5: The Stillwater Lifeguard 97

Chapter 6: The Ocean Rescue Lifeguard 109

Chapter 7: Lifeguarding as a Career 131

Part 3: Training and Preparation 145

Chapter 8: Diving into Training Workouts 147

Chapter 9: Staying in Shape All Year 169

Chapter 10: Working on In-Service Training and Drills 177

Part 4: Exploring Other Lifeguarding Activities 203

Chapter 11: Working Outside of Your Lifeguard Facility 205

Chapter 12: The Sport of Surf Lifesaving 221

Chapter 13: Starting Early: Junior Lifeguard Programs 237

Chapter 14: Joining a Professional Organization 249

Part 5: The Part of Tens 257

Chapter 15: The Lifeguard’s Ten Commandments 259

Chapter 16: Ten Tools You Need in Your Backpack 267

Chapter 17: Ten Reasons to Dive into Lifeguarding 275

Chapter 18: Ten Reasons To GO (On the Rescue!) 281

Chapter 19: Words of Wisdom from Ten Lifeguards Near and Far 289

Index 293

Cary Epstein is the founder and owner of Epi+Center Rescue, a professional lifeguarding service that offers water safety consultation and lifeguard staffing. In 2017, he was named “Lifeguard of the Year” in all of New York State.

Cameron DeGuzman works in clinical research at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and has been a Jones Beach Ocean Lifeguard since 2016.

A great way to stay healthy and protect your community

Lifeguarding is a fun, healthy, and productive way to contribute to the safety of your community. And in Lifeguarding For Dummies, you’ll find a helpful, straightforward roadmap to becoming a certified lifeguard, complete with challenging swimming workouts, explanations of certification requirements, and discussions of the various types of lifeguarding venues and available jobs. You’ll also learn about the physiology of drowning and how to protect against the hazards posed by the job.

Inside…

• Understand the basics of lifeguarding
• Explore different lifeguarding venues
• Adopt effective training techniques
• Stay in shape all year-round
• Join professional organizations
• Learn about essential lifeguarding gear
• Master challenging workout drills
• Protect your community
• Educate the public