Not everyone is crazy about being a lifeguard. Protection can be very stressful and extremely dangerous. At any one time, a guard can be responsible for keeping an eye on dozens of people in or around the water. And as if that wasn’t difficult enough, lifeguards can be forced to deal with strong rip currents, inclement weather, or thousands of other situations. As with any profession, there are several traits that are important to have and develop. A lifeguard must demonstrate competence in several areas to be good at work.

Must be responsible

Irresponsible people are not good lifeguards. The primary responsibility of a lifeguard is to prevent drowning and other injuries. A good lifeguard must be willing to enforce the rules and educate guests on safety procedures and protocol. In addition, there may be a number of dangerous situations or dangerous practices that a lifeguard must eliminate. As it is about life and death, the responsibility assumed by a lifeguard is immense.

Always ready

Lifeguards can fulfill their responsibilities when they are ready. It is very important that lifeguards not only prepare physically, but also mentally and emotionally to act. To be physically prepared, there are several lifeguard-specific fitness programs you can use. Getting plenty of rest, protecting yourself from exposure to sunlight, and staying hydrated are also ways to be physically prepared. Mental and emotional preparation is also very important. Lifeguards should maintain their skills and knowledge through frequent practice and checks.

Excellent communicators

Someone who is able to communicate effectively with many different people has a trait that is necessary to become a good life saver. As in any dangerous situation, you must be able to speak clearly with each individual involved in the situation and convey the importance of staying calm. It is also important that you are able to speak to people of varying skill levels and understanding of security. At one point you may need to explain the importance of safety precautions to a group of children, and the next moment you may need to warn a fellow guard of the inclement weather ahead. No matter who you are communicating with, it is important that you are effective in getting your message across.

Attentive and Patient

Okay, we added an additional feature to it. Lifeguards must be vigilant. There will be thousands of people who will be caring in a given season. It is important that a lifeguard be able to identify a potential drowning victim, as they do not always cause a great deal of commotion. Crowded pools, oceans, or water parks also make it very important that you keep an eye on the details of each person in your area. In addition to being very attentive, you must also be patient. Every day there will be a new person breaking the rules, which can put them, just like you, in dangerous situations. The job of a lifeguard is to patiently inform the violator of the safety violation and what they must do to correct the dangerous action.

As we noted earlier, it takes a person with a special set of skills and traits to be a good lifeguard. These traits can be developed and improved, and to do so, it is imperative that you are always working on them. While not all of them are cut out to be a lifesaver, if you can master these traits, you’ll be on your way to becoming a good lifesaver.