Life Guards and Ski Patrollers

Career summary

Life guards and ski patrollers share common tasks. Both look for ways to prevent accidents. They warn people about bad weather, strong currents, dangerous marine life, and unsafe areas.

Ski patrollers and life guards help people who are hurt and provide first aid when accidents happen. If people are seriously hurt, they contact emergency workers and may perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Those who work at ski resorts may teach skiing lessons and those who work at health clubs may teach swimming lessons.

They keep records of accidents that occur on their shifts. They also attend classes to keep their first aid skills up to date.

Life guards

Life guards keep watch from tower stations or elevated chairs. They watch for swimmers who look as if they may be drowning. They may use binoculars at lakes and beaches to see swimmers who are far away. Life guards use the following to help with rescue attempts:

• Flotation devices
• Ropes
• Poles
• Wave runners

Life guards who work at public pools or health clubs may clean and refill swimming pools. They use water-testing kits to determine the chlorine content and pH value of the water. They may record the condition of the water and the chemicals they add.

Ski patrollers

Ski patrollers usually work at ski resorts. They maintain trails and set up signs to provide information. They also mark off trails that are not safe for the public.

Ski patrollers investigate ski accidents to determine the cause of the accident. They help injured skiers off the slopes and take them to first aid stations. They monitor ski lifts for signs of wear.

Some ski patrollers monitor snow for signs of avalanches. They may start avalanches when skiers are not around to reduce the chance of an avalanche when skiers are on the slopes.

Related careers

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Ambulance Drivers
• Bailiffs
• Dental Assistants
• Dental Hygienists
• Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
• Physical Therapist Aides
• Radiologic Technologists
• Recreation Attendants
• Recreation Guides
• Recreation Workers
• Security Guards

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to life guards and ski patrollers.

• Rescue people who need help, using various methods and tools.
• Call for emergency help when people are seriously injured.
• Patrol and monitor recreational areas, such as trails, ski runs, beaches, lakes, or pools. Make sure people are safe.
• Apply first aid to injured people. Perform CPR if needed.
• Use binoculars to look for potential danger to people at recreational areas.
• Teach people how to swim or ski.
• Warn people about severe weather, areas that are not safe, or illegal conduct.
• Keep records of weather, beach, or slope conditions. Document medical emergencies that require treatment.
• Inspect equipment used for swimming or skiing for damage or wear and tear.
• Assist with hiring, training, and supervision of staff.
• Make sure facilities are clean and neat. Maintain quality of pool water by testing it.
• Demonstrate proper use of equipment.
• Take courses to keep skills up to date and maintain certification.

Common work activities

Life guards and ski patrollers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Teach others
• Document and record information

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, life guards and ski patrollers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They talk to skiers and swimmers and may teach classes.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are often placed in conflict situations in which others may be unpleasant or angry.
• Sometimes speak in front of a large group of people, such as when demonstrating how to use equipment.
• Communicate with skiers and swimmers in person on a daily basis.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.
• Write letters and memos on a monthly basis.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other guards and patrollers.

Physical work conditions

• May work indoors or outdoors. Ski patrollers are more likely to only work indoors when writing incident reports.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable, such as children playing at a swimming pool.
• Often wear protective gear to stay warm or use sunblock to protect themselves from the sun.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations that may cause sunburns or frostbite.
• Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger the safety of swimmers or skiers.
• Often make decisions that affect skiers and swimmers. They are able to make most decisions without talking to a supervisor.
• Are able to set some tasks and goals for the day without talking to a supervisor.

Hours/travel

• May work only during the summer or winter.
• May work full time or part time, but most work less than 40 hours a week.

Physical demands

Life guards and ski patrollers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for life guards and ski patrollers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for life guards and ski patrollers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

Skills and abilities

Life guards and ski patrollers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Other programs of study to consider

• Emergency Medical Care
• Recreation, Fitness, and Leisure Studies
• Security Studies

Training

To work as a life guard or ski patroller, you typically need to:

• have CPR certification;
• be an accomplished swimmer or skier; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

You must be an accomplished swimmer or skier to enter this occupation. You must take courses to study methods of emergency rescue, first aid, and other skills. You learn ways to spot danger around the water or on the slopes. You also learn how to prevent injuries and accidents from happening. Most programs lead to a life guard or ski patroller certification.

Ski patrollers often must have EMT certification as well. Both jobs require CPR certification. The Red Cross, American Heart Association, and many other groups offer CPR training.

Work experience

Experience as a ski instructor or ski patrol volunteer is good experience for ski patrol jobs.

Many smaller cities hire students as part-time or assistant life guards. This is a good way to get experience.

On-the-job training

You learn on the job by assisting experienced workers. As you gain confidence and skills, you are given more responsibility. Training may last up to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Introduction to Health Care
• Physical Education
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Some employers require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Life guards must be at least 15 years old and have CPR and life guard certifications. They must be strong swimmers. Ski patrollers must be strong skiers. Some employers require ski patrollers to be at least 21 years old. They must also have EMT certification.

Employers look for ski patrollers and life guards who are pleasant and tactful with others. They prefer applicants who do not have a police record. Applicants should be in good health and have especially good hearing and vision. Life guards and ski patrollers need to be mentally alert and emotionally stable. This is because they must be able to respond to emergencies. Some employers require applicants to pass drug-screening tests.

Tips

Demand often rises during the summer for life guards and winter for ski patrollers and during the holidays for both. Volunteer experience and participation in sports activities are helpful. Avalanche courses, and skills in mountaineering, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and climbing are especially helpful for ski patrollers.

#To Tips, added avalanche courses and snowboarding (since some ski patrollers are snowboarders), 3/28/14 cj.

Licensing/certification

The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association certify protective service workers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They also certify people in various other content areas. Courses for emergency response professionals require 25 hours or more of training. Ski patrollers who also teach may need emergency response certification. Training in CPR takes about eight hours. This may be sufficient for some life guard positions.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

#In Washington, the average entry-level wage for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers is $10.61 per hour ($1,839 per month).

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

#Updated ES wage info 07.16 sd

Wages vary by employer and type of work. In addition, the worker's level of experience, training, and responsibility also affect wages. Pay also varies by area of the country. Ski patrol jobs are seasonal in all areas of the country. Most jobs for life guards are seasonal. However, jobs at indoor pools or in southern states may be year round. Many life guards and ski patrollers have other jobs during the off-season.

Life guards and ski patrollers who work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

In Washington, employment growth depends on changes in the amount of leisure time people have, growing participation in organized health and fitness programs, and programs for special groups. Jobs for ski patrollers at ski resorts may be affected by weather conditions since resorts need sufficient snowpack to operate. A winter with late or reduced snowfall may mean a shorter season for patrollers and skiers.

Job turnover is high. However, competition for full-time openings is strong. Job prospects are best for seasonal workers.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Local government agencies (pools and public beaches)
• Fitness and sports centers
• Country clubs
• Water parks
• Resorts and hotels

National outlook

Demand for these occupations will remain steady. Many clubs, fitness centers, and municipal recreation centers have pools and need lifeguards. Winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding continue to be popular increasing the need for ski patrollers.

Job openings occur as there is high turnover in each of these areas. Job prospects may be best for those with experience and certifications.

Other resources

American Avalanche Association 

American Lifeguard Association 

American Red Cross 

National Recreation and Park Association 
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148
800.626.6772
703.858.0784

National Ski Patrol 
133 South Van Gordon Street, Suite 100
Lakewood, CO 80228
303.988.1111

United States Lifesaving Association 

References

Career cluster

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers (33-9092.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Beach Lifeguard (379.364-014) 
• Lifeguard (379.667-014) 
• Ski Patroller (379.664-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Social/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Service Skilled