Those red swim shorts and distinctive whistles have become a mainstay at beaches, pools and waterparks each summer. But lately, interest in the skills and careers of lifeguards seems to be spreading far beyond those environments. In fact, lifeguard training has truly gone viral over the past few years according to American Lifeguard Events, one of the leading providers of certification courses nationwide.
Shifts in Viewing Lifeguard Training
Gone are the days when many saw lifeguard training as just sunglasses-wearing teenagers passing the summer months idly scanning the water. As drowning remains a leading cause of accidental deaths, their value in ensuring public safety at aquatic facilities has rightfully garnered more appreciation and esteem in society.
The advent of social media and viral video content has also demonstrated lifeguards’ heroism in dramatic rescues to wider audiences than ever before. These clips highlighting split-second decision making regularly go viral online – serving as a constant reminder of lifeguards’ absolutely critical role.
Popularity Among Older Demographics
While lifeguarding jobs targeting 16-18 year olds will always exist, older demographics from college-age on up are now taking certification more seriously as both a short term job and long term career aspiration. Many see it as building both practical aquatic safety skills and valuable soft abilities in leadership, judgment and managing high risk scenarios.
Expanded Scope of Operations
Historically lifeguarding centered around dedicated aquatic facilities. Now however, lifeguard-monitored zones are proliferating at beaches, parks, lakes, camping spots and elsewhere with no dedicated safety infrastructure. This emerging frontier of lifesaving means new demand for lifeguard skills beyond traditional pools and waterslides.
Seismic Disasters Drive Awareness
National emergencies like the 2011 Japan tsunami highlighted lifeguards’ potential roles in disaster response situations requiring search and rescue near waterways. As seismic threats increase worldwide, more disaster preparedness professionals realize the value of incorporating lifeguard techniques into their toolkits.
Holistic Wellness Focus Emerges
While drowning prevention remains the core function, new philosophies frame lifeguarding as preventative to much broader risks and developmental issues facing youth. Strategies now encompass building water competency, physical fitness habits and promoting inclusion at recreational areas for all ages and abilities to access.
Program Innovation Sparks Interest
As understanding of rescue science and participant needs evolves constantly, lifeguard training techniques keep pace and invite captivation. American Lifeguard Events leads the charge with immersive courses featuring the latest in simulatedvictim scenarios, aquatic triage protocols and energetic lesson delivery appealing to multiple generations of trainees.
Sought-After Soft Skills Development
Astute employers across diverse sectors recognize how fundamentally lifeguard certification equips individuals, no matter their career path, with highly coveted transferrable skills. Traits like vigilance, effective communication under pressure, split-second critical thinking and display of composure in high stakes situations translate universally well.
Emerging as Role Models
Perhaps the biggest shift we’ve noticed is lifeguards emerging as true role models in their communities. Beyond the obvious water safety responsibilities, lifeguards exhibit qualities any parent would want their child to embody – courage, composure under pressure, leadership, responsibility, physical fitness and concern for others above self.
At our certification courses, it’s inspiring to see how their examples can ignite passion in younger participants to pursue lifesaving careers. We even hear stories of lifeguards indirectly steering high-risk youth away from dangerous activities and toward health-focused hobbies instead. Their influence has undoubtedly saved many lives that never reached the point of a physical water rescue.
Life Skills in High Demand
In speaking with hundreds of employers annually, one theme is constant – the life skills cultivated through training like ours are among the most coveted in any workforce. Attributes like maintaining surveillance awareness for hours, decisiveness in unstable situations and motivating a team are priceless assets in diverse occupations from nursing to aviation.
That’s why many of our alumni who didn’t pursue lifesaving as a longterm gig often credit. The lessons with giving them an edge to advance rapidly in their given fields. No matter the job or academics, the life experience strengthens individual potential.
Meeting Societal Needs
As communities grow and recreational water access expands correspondingly, the need for safeguarding of public spaces will continue mounting. Through conducting nationwide training deployments, our goal is ensuring no person is ever turned away from participating in healthy activities due to lack of safety personnel coverage.
A Constantly Evolving Science
From assessing drowning risks to applying first aid protocols, the knowledge base supporting lifeguard functions is never static. That’s why at American Lifeguard Events, we pride ourselves on delivering cutting-edge training anchored in the latest research.
All professionals know continuing education is a must to serve clients competently. But in an industry protecting human lives, maintaining expertise is a solemn duty. I’m proud our courses prioritize keeping guards and would-be guards informed to the highest standards.
Final Opinion
The training we provide arms individuals with abilities to potentially save lives any day on waters around the world. But more profoundly, it cultivates in them ethics of guarding not just bodies from harm. But entire communities’ well-being, hope and spirit.
As demand for these responsibilities and talents continues rising globally. I’m heartened more will answer the call to serve and make ours a little bit safer wherever they set foot. And for anyone still on the fence. I say take the leap – sign up and let your eyes be opened to lifeguarding’s endless rewards. Read more information click here.