Be more.
Be a JEM Leader.
All lifeguards are trained under the Ellis & Associates International Lifeguard Training Program™. This program is world-renowned for its quality in training top-tier lifeguards, ready to prevent any potential aquatic risks and to be prepared to handle any unexpected emergency.
Requirements
At first, it may seem daunting at the idea that you will have to go through traning, especially as a lifeguard, before you even step foot in that lifeguard chair!
However, it is completely normal to be a little nervous before your first class. You don’t need to have a swim team background; basic swimming skills, endurance, and the will to try is all you need.
To help ease some of the unknown, here is how you can both physically and mentally prep for your lifeguard class before attending.
On the day you arrive to class before you begin your classroom and water rescue portion we will test everyone to make sure they have the swimming skills they need to effectively perform a water rescue.
You will go through 1 of 4 types of swim pre-requisites:
*For the swim portion of the pre-requisites, Backstroke, “doggy paddling,” or stopping in the middle of the swim will not be considered passing
Shallow Lifeguard
- 50 yard swim non-stop utilizing only the front crawl (freestyle) and/or breaststroke.
- In shallow water of 5 feet, swim underwater a distance of 10 feet to retrieve a 10 lbs brick from the bottom of the pool.
Pool Lifeguard
- 100 yard swim non-stop utilizing only the front crawl (freestyle) and/or breaststroke.
- From the deepest part of the pool, feet first surface dive to retrieve a 10 lbs brick at the bottom of the pool..In deep water, tread water utilizing only your legs and not your arms/hands for 2 minutes.
Special Facilities Lifeguard (with Wavepool)
- 200 yard swim non-stop utilizing only the front crawl (freestyle) and/or breaststroke.
- From the deepest part of the pool, feet first surface dive to retrieve a 10 lbs brick at the bottom of the pool.
- In deep water, tread water utilizing only your legs and not your arms/hands for 2 minutes.
Special Facilities Lifeguard (Open Water)
- 200 yard swim non-stop utilizing only the front crawl (freestyle) and/or breaststroke.
- From the deepest part of the pool, feet first surface dive to retrieve a 10 lbs brick at the bottom of the pool.
- In deep water, tread water utilizing only your legs and not your arms/hands for 2 minutes.
Ready to get started?
WHAT YOU’LL BE TRAINED IN CLASS
There is so much learning that goes into becoming a lifeguard. However, with the way we have our classes set up, you’ll be able to learn the important lifesaving material easily while also having fun in your class.
There are many cool new skills you’ll acquire in class, so we don’t want to spoil it by listing them all here! However, these are the main pillars of training you’ll go through
- Active water rescues
- Unconscious water rescues
- CPR (Adult, Child, Infant)
- FBAO/Choking (Adult, Child, Infant)
- First Aid
- Spinal Rescues and Spinal Management
- Full water etrication and on-deck care.
Next Steps
Once you finish your initial class, you will then be provided facility and OJT (on-the-job training) to help you familiarize yourself with the facility you’ll be working at.
During this time you will also be provided your uniform. Congrats! You are ready to start your first shift!
Resources
My Work Travel with JEM
In my travels with JEM, I have been to Houston, Texas, Aurora, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and the island of Oahu! During my travels, what I enjoyed most was building a supervisor and lifeguard team.
Intern Spotlight – Sadey Equevilley
“You will be with JEM now.” This is what my pool manager told me back in 2018. I remember hating the idea of switching lifeguarding companies because I had always been with StarGuard. However, I believe this has been the best decision of my life and
Intern Spotlight – Haley Foster
“You will be with JEM now.” This is what my pool manager told me back in 2018. I remember hating the idea of switching lifeguarding companies because I had always been with StarGuard. However, I believe this has been the best decision of my life and