Lifeguard
Lifeguards monitor leisure pools and beaches to keep swimmers safe and respond to emergencies.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a pool or beach lifeguard, you would:
- supervise swimming areas
- make sure swimmers follow safety rules
- respond to emergencies and rescue people in danger
- give first aid when needed
- contact emergency services where required
As a pool lifeguard, you would also:
- advise swimmers on how to use diving boards and slides
- check pool water temperature and chemicals
- keep pool areas clean
- set up equipment for activities
As a beach lifeguard you could:
- monitor sea conditions and set up safety flags
- advise the public on how to stay safe on the beach and in the water
- act as a point of contact for people on the beach
Working environment
You could work at a fitness centre.
Your working environment may be humid and outdoors some of the time.
Career path and progression
You could complete the National Pool Management Qualification to become a pool manager, or to take up a wider management position in a leisure centre.
You could take further training to become a:
- lifeguard mentor or instructor
- swimming teacher
- safety instructor for beach activities, like paddleboarding and surfing, and operating motorised craft, like jet skis
There are also opportunities to get qualified in pool plant operation and maintenance, with responsibility for water testing and pool safety.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of public safety and security
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- a desire to help people
- physical fitness and endurance
- concentration skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 16 years of age
- pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
To take a pool lifeguard qualification you'll need to be able to:
- jump or dive into deep water
- swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds
- swim 100 metres continuously on front and back in deep water
- tread water for 30 seconds
- surface dive to the floor of the pool
- climb out of the pool unaided without using ladders or steps
To qualify as a beach lifeguard you must:
- complete a 400m pool swim in less than eight minutes
- make a surface dive to a depth of 2 metres
- be a confident sea swimmer
- climb out of deep water unaided
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- training with a professional body
You can apply to do a Leisure Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, through your place of work.
As part of this apprenticeship, you will gain a first aid certificate along with a lifeguarding qualification.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
More Information
You may be able to work as a leisure centre pool attendant or assistant, and complete lifeguard qualifications on the job.
You can qualify as a lifeguard by taking one of the following courses:
To be a beach lifeguard, you'll need to complete the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ).
You can take a qualification by:
- joining a local swimming club as a volunteer and training with them
- training with a professional body at an approved centre
You can also apply to train with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Career tips
Lifeguards often work part time and are paid by the hour. Rates can vary between £10 and £14 an hour.
Further information
You can find out more about training to be a pool or beach lifeguard from:
Related videos
Suggested videos
Coffee With is in early release mode with a limited number of videos. New videos are being added every week, so please check back for updates.
External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.