Lifeguarding

While lifeguarding itself may not be a career you pursue forever, if you love the thought of saving lives or being near the water, there are a number of options you can try:

• Water Safety Instructor: Teaching others about boat safety and other aspects of water safety might be perfect for you. You can also instruct others in water sports like sailing, snorkeling, or even swimming. Teaching people skills they need to enjoy these things safely can be very rewarding.
• Coast Guard: If you really want to help people and remain near the water, consider joining the coast guard. This requires tons of additional training, and it can be quite dangerous, as this is a part of the military. However, once in the coast guard, you can take a position that is similar to that of a lifeguard, working to rescue people in danger.
• Rescue Swimmer: Most rescue swimmers are within the coast guard, but you can also work privately as a rescue swimmer, helping the military on an as-needed basis. Rescue swimming is incredibly dangerous and you need to be extremely physically fit. However, it is a good job for thrill seekers, especially because the payoff is worth the risk to many people.
• Lifeguard Manager and Trainer: Often a position held by former lifeguards on the beaches where they work, managers or trainers are the head of a team. They not only serve in a traditional life guard role as needed, but they also coordinate the schedules, plan for training, deal with complaints, hire and fire, amend beach rules as needed, and make the final call in any situation.
• Firefighter, EMT, or Police Office: If you loved the aspect of lifeguarding involved in saving people, you may want to move away from the beach and pursuer a career in another emergency service, like firefighting.