How to Become A Lifeguard In South Africa

A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake.

Is it worth becoming a lifeguard?

If you’re looking for a job with an opportunity to learn, take ownership in your work, and assume more responsibility as you go, lifeguarding is an excellent fit. Remember: lifeguards protect the safety and well-being of anyone who comes to the pool. Few summer jobs can top that in responsibility.

Can you be a lifeguard at 14?

To be part of our industry leading world-class organization, our lifeguards must be 17 years or over and demonstrate high levels of fitness, excellent rescue and people skills, and hold the following qualifications: Surf Life Saving Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)

What does a junior lifeguard do?

Building on skills they already have, Junior Lifeguard Club members work to develop and improve swimming and other aquatic skills with emphasis on: Swimming skills, Lifesaving skills, Lifesaving knowledge, Leadership & teamwork, Community education, Competition, Personal fitness.

How to Become A Lifeguard In South Africa

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum age: 15 years (depending on state)

Swim distance using front crawl (freestyle) or breaststroke without resting: 100 yards

Feet-first surface dive, retrieve a 10-lb. brick, and bring it to the surface

Tread water without using arms for 1 minute

TRAINING

The first step to become a certified Continental Pools lifeguard is to complete our Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Training. For starters, you must be at least 15 years of age.

This training course will bring you through various rigorous tests both in and out of the pool, in order to assess your knowledge in different scenarios and test your skills in the water.

From swimming a distance of 100 yards without resting to retrieving a 10-lb brick from a minimum depth of 8 feet, these tests have been carefully designed to ensure compatibility with aspiring lifeguards for commercial swimming pools.

RESPONSIBILITY

A great way to start your journey of becoming a certified lifeguard is to understand the responsibilities of a lifeguard.

The primary duty of a lifeguard is to supervise and monitor all activities within the pool deck. Surveillance of any ongoing aquatic activities in your designated area is crucial to ensure you are ready to respond to any potential emergencies.

This is where lifeguard training comes in handy, as CPR will be necessary in a dire situation. Aside from the safety of pool patrons, you will also find yourself taking care of your respective facility.

This involves conducting daily checks of the surrounding pool areas for any hazards and safety issues, ensuring complete cleanliness and protection

QUALIFICATIONS

Being a lifeguard calls for prolonged vigilance and situations that could require swimming quickly, so endurance and stamina may be considered requirements for the job. Adequate hand-eye coordination and a normal range of hearing and vision alike are required.

During summer months, especially at large clubs and communities, you will often experience high capacity. No need to panic, just make sure you remain calm and alert, using your hearing and vision to supervise the scene at all times.

Since rescuing pool patrons is also part of the job, make sure that you are able to carry, lift, and swim with objects up to 50 pounds and heavier.

What do you wear to lifeguard training In South Africa?

A swimsuit (women: modest one piece is recommended, men: trunks or jammers), a towel, goggles are recommended, pen or pencil, notebook for notes, water bottle, and a lunch/snacks. All participants will receive a loan book and pocket mask the first day of the course.

Can you be a lifeguard at 14 In South Africa?

To be part of our industry leading world-class organization, our lifeguards must be 17 years or over and demonstrate high levels of fitness, excellent rescue and people skills, and hold the following qualifications: Surf Life Saving Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)

How much does lifeguard training cost In South Africa?

In general, Lifeguard Training Classes (LGT) cost between $200-300 and CPRO classes cost between $65-85. The cost for classes can vary from season to season depending on new programs and guidelines set forth by the American Red Cross​.

What are the requirements to Enrol in lifeguard training?

Candidate Requirements

Minimum age 16 years.

Reasonable education level.

Physical fitness and swimming evaluation.

100m swim in under 2 minutes.

2 minutes water treading.

How long does it take to become a qualified lifeguard In South Africa?

The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification course is a minimum of 36 hours, followed by a practical assessment on swimming pool theory, water safety and how to spot potential hazards. The course will teach you the practical skills of lifeguarding, such as water rescue, casualty recovery, CPR and first aid.

How many laps is a 300 yard swim In South Africa?

six laps

What does swimming 300 yards, six laps in the YWCA pool, without stopping feel like? It’s hard for me, sometimes, not to think about other triathletes to whom this looks as easy as walking and get discouraged because it sometimes feels to me like climbing Everest.

How many laps is a 100 yard swim In South Africa?

2 Laps25 Yard pool (Short Course)

MilesYardsLaps
25 yards (from wall to wall)0.5 Lap
50 yards1 Lap
100 yds2 Laps
¼ mile (Sprint Distance)about 500 yards10 Laps

Is it hard to be a lifeguard In South Africa?

Being a good lifeguard is physically challenging. You will want to be in good shape. Lifeguards follow the 10/20 rule. Once a lifeguard notices a potential problem, they must respond in 10 seconds and be able to reach the person in 20 seconds, so it is absolutely necessary to be in shape and to be a strong swimmer.

How hard is it to swim 300 yards In South Africa?

Swimming 300 yards is a daunting task for many, and it will be less taxing and more physically beneficial if you choose the proper stoke. No particular stroke will be the easiest for everyone, but in general, freestyle will be the easiest way to accomplish a 300-yard swim.