What does a pool lifeguard do?
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:
The three companies that hire the most pool lifeguards are:
- Ymca Of Greater Seattle17 pool lifeguards jobs
- Approved Cash7 pool lifeguards jobs
- MGM Resorts International4 pool lifeguards jobs
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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.
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.
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
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
Types of pool lifeguard
Updated January 8, 2025











