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Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.

What you’d do

  • Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
  • Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
  • Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
  • Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
  • Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
  • Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
  • Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.

Skills that matter

  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Service Orientation
  • Active Listening
  • Learning Strategies

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Lifeguard
  • Ocean Lifeguard
  • Pool Attendant
  • Ski Patroller
  • Beach Attendant
  • Beach Lifeguard

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