For the past 4 summers, I have spent my days working as a lifeguarding at my town pool. I have seen a lot of different things happen. I helped kids to learn to swim. I have seen a kid work their way from coming in 6th at a swim meet to 1st. I have seen kids go down the slide and off the diving board for the first time. I have also had to save four people who were drowning. I know more than I wish to admit about things that go on at pools because of this. So here are a few things that will help you enjoy your time at the pool more!
Do wear Sunscreen!!!
While getting the perfect summer tan is something almost everyone loves to do, don’t forget to put on sunscreen. Believe me, I put sunscreen on my face sometime three times a day at on hot days and still my nose some how always gets burnt. Once my nose starts to peal it peals until the end of September, which is never fun. Putting on sunscreen isn’t going to prevent you from getting the perfect tan, but it will prevent the pain and pealing that comes with sunburn.
Do be polite!
If you are nice to the lifeguards and follow the rules/listen to what they say, they are more willing do something for you. For example, there is this one boy who comes to my pool a lot. He can spend hours going down the slide. He is always so nice to all of us and follows the rules. So if he comes on a slow day, when the slide is closed and asks when it will open, we don’t mind opening it for him right then and there. If the same thing happens with someone who is always rude to us and never listens to the rules, we’ll probably tell them that we don’t know when the slide is supposed to open, even thou we do. Always better to be nice than rude.
Do use the pool for workouts!
If you are looking to work out but swimming laps isn’t your thing, ask the lifeguard about using kickboards. All you have to do is hold on and kick. It is still a great work out, but you can talk with a friend while doing it. This makes it a lot more fun to do. Another great work out is just walking around the pool. Another idea is look into seeing if there is an Aquasize class available at the pool. It may have more older people than younger people, but hey no one will judge you if you don’t do a move perfectly.
Don’t swallow the water!!!
Yes there is chorine and other chemicals that make the water clean, but they can’t get everything. You won’t believe what people do in the pool when they think they can’t get in trouble. We have found some really gross things floating around in there. But I do want to stress THE WATER IS CLEAN, but you never know what the person next to you just did or how much chorine is in the pool. If you swallow too much of the choriney pool water your stomach will hurt and there is a good chance your time at the pool will be cut short, because you have to throw up.
Don’t pretend to drown!!!!
Drowning is a very serious issue and should not be taken lightly. While yes the lifeguards do fake drown from time to time this is what is called a drill. It is designed to make sure the lifeguard on the stand is prepared incase there is someone drowning. If you pretend to drown a lot the lifeguard may think you are faking if you ever do actually need help. Also pretending to drown takes the lifeguards eyes away from people who may need it. If you do pretend one too many times, the lifeguards may jump in and “save” you to teach you a lesson, which is very embarrassing to say the least. Being saved can also get you kicked out of a section, like the slide or diving board, for the rest of the day. Also yelling help when it is not needed is a big no no. Once again yell it one to many times and you’ll have a lifeguard “saving” you.
Don’t get in the way when a lifeguard is helping someone!
Where I work, one long whistle is the sign someone is drowning and a lifeguard is going in to save them. So if you hear a long whistle please do not scream or start running. Just stay out of the way, because that whistle means all lifeguards, not on a stand, need to drop whatever they are doing (minus giving first aid) and run as fast as they can to assist. That being said getting there fast can mean flip-flops, sunglasses, towels, etc. go flying off/thrown off as they run so just watch out. Also get out of the way if you see them coming, I can’t tell you the number of times we have almost run over someone because they got in the way. Also crowding around someone who is hurt can make them feel worse. So please just give them space, the lifeguards will handle it until an ambulance arrives if it is needed.
Hopefully with these dos and don’ts you will have a great time at the pool this summer!!!