Being a lifeguard is no easy task. Some people have misleading ideas as to what it is like. As a lifeguard, I have had people tell me many misconceptions. Some I have heard over and over again, yet my answer never changes.

If you are a lifeguard reading this, you probably have a pretty good idea what I’m talking about.

1. Lifeguarding is just like the movies.

Only the most devious and ruthless kids are going to jump off the diving boards and not come back up just to lock lips with the hot lifeguard. *cough* "Sandlot" *cough*

2. We give mouth to mouth.

Actually we won’t, but we will give you CPR. Believe it or not we have this thing called a resuscitation mask. It is personal protective equipment that allows user to prevent the passing of bodily fluids when giving CPR.

And yes we have heard that joke before.

3. It's all about the tan.

If you want to not wear sunscreen and get sunburnt everyday or give your skin permanent damage, be my guest.

4. Lifeguards get to play with the rescue tubes.

The title says it all. This is a rescue tube, not a floaty. The purpose of the tube is to aid the guard when assisting a patron in an emergency. I actually have had a patron ask me if he could play with the guard tube. Again, the tube is not a toy!

5. Lifeguards are fun haters.

Guards may seem like they are always yelling and may even come off as “fun haters,” but they are doing their jobs. The rules are set in place for safety reasons.

P.S. Working as a lifeguard is tons of fun! Your co-workers always keep things interesting.

6. Nah, we can't see you when you are under water.

Lets just say water is colorless, we can see everything that happens under the water.

7. The pool is filled with hot guys.

The only guys that come to the pool are middle schoolers going through puberty. Gross!! End of story.

8. Lifeguards are babysitters.

Lifeguards are not going to personally take care of your child. They are there to enforce the rules and ensure everyone’s safety. Leaving your six-year-old at the pool for hours on end and expecting the staff to take care of them is ridiculous. That is not how it works.

9. Guards sit in the chair and do nothing.

Oh yeah, guards don’t do anything. It’s not like there are patron’s lives at stake. It’s not like water is dangerous or anything… nope! There are also little gnomes that magically clean the pool everyday and teach your children to swim.

10. We get free food from the concession stand.

One of the most commonly asked questions is whether or not guards get free food from the concessions stand. Sorry folks, we do not. If they did, I am pretty sure the concession stand would not have any food left by the end of each day. Guards will take free food anytime, so it is not the brightest idea to offer it.

#Lifeguardproblems