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What does a pool lifeguard do?

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Pool lifeguard responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real pool lifeguard resumes:

  • Manage and trained15 lifeguards, which develop leadership skills, provide experience handling administrative issues.
  • Order parts from various vendors, work with HVAC service company.
  • Learned life saving skills with certifications in both first aid and CPR.
  • Maintain optimal pool and facility cleanliness.
  • Provide exemplary cleanliness and monitor safe chemical levels.
  • Examine injured persons, administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation or contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
  • Examine injure persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
  • Certify in CPR and use of a (automatic electronic defibrillator )
  • Operate and maintain ATV's and work vehicles.
  • Patrol swimming area and examine injured persons and administer first aid if need.

Pool lifeguard skills and personality traits

We calculated that 25% of Pool Lifeguards are proficient in CPR, First-Aid, and Water Safety.

We break down the percentage of Pool Lifeguards that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CPR, 25%

    Completed lifeguard training and received certification in CPR.

  • First-Aid, 21%

    Managed 23 Lifeguards Maintained mechanical, chemical, and administrative operations Administered first-aid Instructed swimming lessons and water safety courses

  • Water Safety, 7%

    Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor

  • Cleanliness, 6%

    Maintained optimal pool and facility cleanliness.

  • Emergency Situations, 4%

    Deployed emergency rescue drills to prepare lifeguards for unexpected emergency situations.

  • Pool Deck, 4%

    Supervised pool members, cleaned and maintained pool deck and restrooms, maintained water quality in pool, and gave lessons.

"cpr," "first-aid," and "water safety" are among the most common skills that pool lifeguards use at work. You can find even more pool lifeguard responsibilities below, including:

All pool lifeguard skills

The three companies that hire the most pool lifeguards are:

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Compare different pool lifeguards

Pool lifeguard vs. Aquatics specialist

The duties of an aquatics specialist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. With their expertise in aquatic environments, an aquatics specialist may work at government agencies, laboratories, learning institutions, and private companies. Typically, their responsibilities include conducting studies and observations, gathering and analyzing data through scientific procedures, coordinating with fellow experts, managing aquatics programs and projects, and developing strategies to resolve issues and concerns. Furthermore, as an aquatics specialist, it is essential to lead the efforts of different projects, all while adhering to the organization's vision and mission.

If we compare the average pool lifeguard annual salary with that of an aquatics specialist, we find that aquatics specialists typically earn a $8,726 higher salary than pool lifeguards make annually.Even though pool lifeguards and aquatics specialists are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require cpr, water safety, and resuscitation in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a pool lifeguard are more likely to require skills like "first-aid," "cleanliness," "emergency situations," and "pool deck." On the other hand, a job as an aquatics specialist requires skills like "husbandry," "primary resource," "animal welfare," and "retail sales." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Aquatics specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than pool lifeguards. In fact, aquatics specialists are 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Pool lifeguard vs. Swim instructor

As the name entails, swim instructors teach both children and adults how to swim. They help people develop their swimming ability through proper swimming techniques. Their responsibilities include ensuring that all swimming equipment is in good condition, evaluating student performance and providing feedback, and preparing reports on attendance and accidents. They are also responsible for preventing injuries and accidents through monitoring. There are several requirements to become a successful swim instructor that may include previous experience as a swim instructor, certifications on CPR and first aid, and swimming abilities.

A career as a swim instructor brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a pool lifeguard. In fact, swim instructors salary is $2,459 lower than the salary of pool lifeguards per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both pool lifeguards and swim instructors have skills such as "water safety," "cleanliness," and "emergency situations. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that pool lifeguard responsibilities requires skills like "cpr," "first-aid," "pool deck," and "facility rules." But a swim instructor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lifeguard," "customer service," "kids," and "work ethic."

Swim instructors may earn a lower salary than pool lifeguards, but swim instructors earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $28,059. On the other hand, pool lifeguards receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $29,478.In general, swim instructors achieve similar levels of education than pool lifeguards. They're 0.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pool lifeguard vs. Rescue boat operator

An average rescue boat operator eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of pool lifeguards. The difference in salaries amounts to rescue boat operators earning a $15,930 higher average salary than pool lifeguards.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a pool lifeguard is likely to be skilled in "first-aid," "water safety," "cleanliness," and "pool deck," while a typical rescue boat operator is skilled in "emt," "rescue operations," "boats," and "responder."

Most rescue boat operators achieve a similar degree level compared to pool lifeguards. For example, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pool lifeguard vs. Ski patrol

Ski patrols typically earn higher pay than pool lifeguards. On average, ski patrols earn a $4,500 higher salary per year.According to resumes from pool lifeguards and ski patrols, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "cpr," "first-aid," and "emergency situations. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "water safety," "cleanliness," "pool deck," and "safety rules" are skills that commonly show up on pool lifeguard resumes. On the other hand, ski patrols use skills like patrol, trail maintenance, guest service, and medical care on their resumes.In general, ski patrols hold similar degree levels compared to pool lifeguards. Ski patrols are 2.9% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of pool lifeguard

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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