Lifeguard
Lifeguarding has been the most rewarding job I’ve
ever had. As a young person, it is a job where you get to enjoy the hot California
sun by the pool. Though at times the job can get very tough and demanding on
the body. I would say the job is easy 9 months out of the year. Unfortunately
for the months of June, July and August I cannot say the same. Though the days
were hot, you do get a lot of time to be in the pool while monitoring the patron’s
safety. While you are on tower monitoring patrons, you have a lot of time to
speak to the customers. I really enjoyed getting involved in the swimming
community at my local pool.
A lifeguard is someone whose main job is to prevent
emergencies. Although a lifeguard is pretty much the first responder when there
is an emergency (although not considered a professional first responder), our
job is to make sure patrons are making smart decisions that do not put their
safety at risk. Although much of the job is very fun. It does come with a big
side of responsibilities. When you are on the tower, your primary job is to
make sure everyone is safe from drowning. When you’re off tower, there are a
fair amount of upkeep responsibilities that the lifeguards are responsible for.
I describe this job as
- Vigilant
- Reflective
- Lively
Vigilant
Times when you must be vigilant are
- On
tower watching the water
- Making
sure the kids that are going underwater come up
- Making
sure the right lanes are reserved for lessons
During busy times of the day. It is crucial that I
keep a headcount of everyone in the pool. I need to make sure that every head
is accounted for and is staying afloat. A big part of being vigilant is keeping
context of people's actions. If someone is unconscious near a staircase, that
could imply a spinal injury and therefore should be treated with more care than
someone who drowned in the middle of the pool.
Reflective
I describe the job as reflective since when you are
with no source of stimulation but your own thoughts
- Reflect
on life
- Reflect
on goals and future aspirations
- Reflect
on self-image.
Being a lifeguard often comes with stretches of calm
between moments of action, and in those quiet periods, I’ve found the job to be
surprisingly reflective. With time to observe my surroundings and settle into
my own thoughts, I’ve developed a deeper sense of self-awareness and clarity.
Whether it's thinking through personal goals or simply being present in the
moment, the stillness on the stand has given me space to process, reset, and
grow mentally
Lively
A big part of the job is speaking with the
community:
- Communicating
when events are scheduled for the pool
- Making
meaningful relationships with members of the community
I think this is the most fulfilling part of this
job. The caring people that make the community what it is are always cheerful
and willing to chat about life with the lifeguards. I keep those patrons deep
in my heart, feeling very thankful that they made me feel seen and appreciated.
Passive Sentences: 56
Flesch Reading Ease: 8.5
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 0%
Hey Rodrigo! Loved reading your blog about your time as a lifeguard. Funny enough, I have multiple friends and family that have worked as lifegaurds and much of what you said proves to be true! They have very similar stories. I like how you talk about the "Reflective" part of the job. I am aware that it can be quiet during certain hours on the chair and for some its a struggle to stay awake, but for others it's time to think! I look forward to talking more about this in class!
ReplyDeleteHi Rodrigo, being a lifeguard sounds like such a cool job. I remember always wondering what it was like growing up when I'd go to pools for summer camp, etc. It's nice to see your perspective on it. I like how you pointed out the fact that you have different moments of time to think back about things within you and your future goals. When I go to the beach I tend to notice the lifeguards in a pensive mode so I'm sure they are doing the same.
ReplyDeleteHey Rodrigo I also was a lifeguard, I lifeguarded at the YMCA and UCLA. I never stuck to it because it was super boring, but I always stayed vigilant as you said because there is always a possibility. I find it funny that you probably lifeguarded me while I was swimming at Golden roads at the verdugo pool. I'm glad you didn't have as bad of experience as I did, UCLA pools were empty when I was lifeguarding.
ReplyDeleteHi Rodrigo, great first draft! I happy that this was an experience you enjoyed. However, I also appreciated that you highlighted some of the drawbacks as well to really demonstrate the full job description to someone who has never worked as a lifeguard before. I also really enjoyed that you led sections based on descriptive words about the job. Very creative!
ReplyDeleteHey Rodrigo, I also used to be a lifeguard and I really liked my job. There is a lot of responsibility on you to make sure everyone is safe in your pool. But overall I liked reading about your experience during this job.
ReplyDeleteHi Rodrigo,
ReplyDeleteBeing a lifeguard is such a meaningful job. It’s great to know that you are able to make connections with members of the society as a lifeguard and I feel like you really seem to enjoy around people. Your experience is personal that makes it enjoyable to read.
Hi Rodrigo! It sounds like lifeguarding gave you such a unique blend of responsibility and community connection. Its nice to reflect on those moments during the quiet stretches - that kind of mental space is so valuable. It's also great that you built those meaningful relationships with the community members who made you feel appreciated.
ReplyDelete