Most of us have watched TV shows such as Baywatch depicting the glamorous lives of lifeguards, all the good looking people that are always on the beach and the dramatic rescues that occur mostly for the TV cameras. The truth is that being a lifeguard is mostly a thankless boring job. Watching after people that sometimes have little or no knowledge of the ocean can be truly exhausting. Trying to convince an overweight 50 year old that is half intoxicated that he cannot swim in 8 ft surf and actually survive is a challenging experience. You may not be able to convince him that he is out of shape and will surely get into trouble. Next you will have to save the 250 pound man in 8 ft surf. Being a lifeguard can be tough. The beaches in Florida are hot, so hot you can’t walk on the sand some days! Many of the lifeguards in Florida are sitting in 100 degree weather 40 hours a week with only an umbrella. By the end of the season you are totally cooked.
Before you decide to become an ocean lifeguard I recommend
that you are in pretty good shape.
Although requirements vary from agency to agency, to tryout in Florida
you are typically required to run two mile under a 20 minutes and then swim 500
meters under 10 minutes. You will be required to become a Basic First Responder and take a lifeguard course.
Some days the ocean is like a lake and others days it rears
up like a stallion and you can’t tell what might happen. Being in shape and
remaining alert to all the oceans different moods is very helpful. Being
watchful of the currents and the tidal fluctuations is a good idea also. If you
have a love for the ocean and you think you can handle yourself accordingly
with people. Then maybe you would enjoy the job of an Ocean Rescue Lifeguard.Follow us as we take a look at the Ocean Rescue Lifeguards of Florida!
1 comment:
I look forward to following this, what agencies are you going to visit?
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