What does it take to be a lifeguard? How long does it usually take to complete training?
543334
The Red Cross lifeguarding course is 28 1/4 hours long, minimum. If successful in completing the course you will be certified in lifeguard/first aid & CPR for the professional rescuer. This certification is widely recognized certification but many employers require additional training. Here in Hawaii, in order to be a Ocean Safety Officer (beach lifeguard), you need your Red Cross certification, plus you need to pass a physical training course and additional on the job training.\n\nEven if you are a competitive swimmer you will need to know how to do the elementary backstroke and side strokes (with both regular and inverteed kicks). You will also neeed to practice swimming front crawl and breast stroke with your head out of  the water. Not as easy as it sounds for some competitive swimmers.\n\nThere are no height or physical requirements. Most people who apply themselves to the class are able to pass. It is not an easy course but not one that would be too difficult for someone who has a swimming background and is of average intelligence.
733058
Depending on the state some states do give arresting powers to the lifeguards but don't think they did not have to have special training they did most of the time they have to attend the police academy not as intense but they do get trained
432843
Hi, i am doing beach lifeguard this year, the training is good fun. i got a website for you it will give you some infor on it. http://www.nsvl.org.uk/training/beach.htm
177849
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SWIMMING! I swim about 20 hours a week training under the coaching staff of 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Kristine Quance.  It is the best sport ever!
622941
As a swim instructor and lifeguard I can tell you that tying weights to yourself is a sure way of drowning. \n\nTo practice your swimming and to get stronger you will need to swim more then once a week. At least 2 to 3 times. Start at a small distance such as 500 total yards. You can break this down into ten 50 yard laps or five 100 yard laps etc.etc. Also switch strokes between the freestyle,breast stroke and back stroke.This will help your form as well as keep you from getting overdeveloped and having injury. \n\nAs for legs. Using a kick board you can do laps using the different kicks. Such as Flutter, whip and dolphin kicks. Adding fins will also help with speed and strength because it adds more resistants. \n\nTreading water while holding your hands above the water is also a good way to  get stronger. Do this for small amounts of time and work up. This is a favorite of my lifeguards. \n\nYou can also go to the US Swim Assoc. and they can help you get setup with plans. Also check out your local swim team.They are associated with the US Swim and can help coach you.
437373
Call you local red cross office.  They will have a list of offerings to get your Life Gaurd certification.  YOu will also want to get a WSI (Water Safety Instructor) certification too.  They will have all the information.
403339
You have to go to an approved training program which consists of 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.  You can go to the attached site to read all about the career.
126295
How does the punchline go? "Practice, practice, practice."\n\nBecoming a successful competitive swimmer involves committment to its highest level.  It's also very rewarding.  Good luck!
983684
Well on the varsity swim team, in a two hour practice we swim round 6000-7000 yards in 2 hours.\nSets will vary, but usually we will do a long set (consisting of 1000 yards, etc. 10x100 on let's say...1:30. \nThen we'll do a shorter set, say 8x75's on 1:30.\nThen a long one, 3x500 on...7 min.\nThen @ the end of practice (last 15 minutes or so) we might play a fierce game of water polo!!!!!!!!!!!!
1113844
Yes, you can continue on with the Advance Course of your training, and since your initial classes will still take place in a pool, it will give you a chance to get back in the groove again. I am sure you still remember the dives you had when you got certified, so I wouldn't be too worried. If it had been two or three years, I would suggest getting some bottom time in first, but with one season time.... you should be fine. Good luck!!
9932
Practice in a pool, for a long time.  You will be accoustemed to having to push extra hard that when you do it in the air, you will go faster.
1087732
Yeah its a great job.  I love doing what I do...but then it can all depend on your boss and coworkers.  \nAlso keep in mind that as a lifeguard you don't only sit on the stand and watch people.  You are also responsible for cleaning and maintaining the pool.  Me and my coworkers have to show up for work an hour before hand and sweep, vacuum, leaf master (this thing that catches leaves off the bottom of the pool...if you used the vacuum it would get jammed), and skim the pool.  You also have to clean the deck and keep it cool by spraying it with water.  \nWe also have to swim at least 500 yards a week.  It really isnt a bad thing.  We also train once a week to keep things fresh.\nCompared to other jobs, lifeguarding is great, it's one of the best things that I've become a part of.  Enjoy yourself, and good luck with training!
930743
You should DEFINITELY join! I have been swimming for a long time but i have also done other sports too. Swimming is definitely the hardest. You will have to work hard but don't even worry about your times compared to other people. You can't compare yourself to people who have been swimming longer than you. You should join your team and then focus on improving for yourself and work on beating your own times instead of other people's. It doesn't matter what other people are doing, just focus on improving for yourself.
275044
My high school still requires freshman to take the swim test and if they can't pass it, they have to keep retaking it. In fact, all freshman and sophmores have to take P.E. and pass it to graduate. In P.E., we run 3 miles a week and play sports for an hour every Mon., Wed., and Friday. They even offer weight training classes as electives for sophmores, juniors and seniors. Our school has wrestling teams, basketball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, and track teams. Most of the kids in my school are pretty fit, but a small amount of them are obese.
743690
You need to take a basic beginners class for swimming.  I don't know where you live, but perhaps there is a local YMCA....they always have courses going.  Or, call the high school swim coach and find out if any of the people on his team wants to earn money teaching you how to swim???\nI was a lifeguard as a teenager and taught many many kids to swim, but unfortunately I am unable to teach you with words alone.    Good luck...and I might add that learning to swim is a very wise thing for ANY person to do.
614614
First of all, try to get someone to explain to you in person, trainer or soething like that, then make sure that you do any exercise to improve the technique as using a pull or something, then after you are prtty sure you are getting into it, try to do 1/4 of laps more than you use to do, then do 1/2 laps more\n\nWithin a month or two(swimming everyday) You won't have any problem with it and you'll improve your technique and the only matter will be the speed that ypu'll be swimming
402350
Swimming isn't easy. First you should go to some swimming pool (there should be a lifeguard)and see on your own skin how do you feel when you are in the water. Next step is to feel comfortable in the water that you can run, jump without clutching the wall. Start breathing into the water and take a float or wogle and try to lay on the water on it - on your back and chest. If you wouldn't scare try to do this without equipment and move your hands and legs. REMEMBER DO ALL THIS THINGS ON NOT DEEP WATER - TILL YOUR HIPS. Take your friend with you for your safe.  it will be easer to take some lessons with good swimming instructor. Good luck