Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 16:44     Subject: lifeguard
My kid had to get a lifeguard certificate (Red Cross or equivalent) in order to get hired. His certification course included CPR/AED. He did it over a long weekend this spring.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 16:43     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:My then-16yo got the certification on his own and then got hired, 6 years ago. Never had additional training. Seems odd (and scary!) to hire someone who may not pass. Hopefully they use an independent instructor and not one working for/with the pool.


This is the problem with private pools and companies. My child works for a government pool, and they have 5-7 mandated trainings over the summer (paid) on tope of licensure. They are very hard core about training.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 16:40     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:My son applied for a pool we have never been to because the positions in the pools nearby are all full.

I paid for training, certificates and uniforms. They said after he worked for some hours (like 100, I don’t remember), the pool will reimburse these costs. So, it is still called free training. Is this normal?

If he works for another pool next summer, should he do training again?


He has to do the training every two years. We had to for it all. Work gave out t-shirts, we bought the shorts and other stuff. Some pay for it, some don't.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 16:39     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would make sure they have actually agreed to hire him, and that there’s something in writing. It seems late to be just starting lifeguard training of any sort for the summer. But I agree it’s the pool’s problem to make sure he has the appropriate training.


Some of the private pool companies hire with not job. My kid got a job mid summer last year at a public pool.


What does it mean?


They have you sign a contract, do the paperwork and never actually give you a position.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 16:36     Subject: lifeguard
My son applied for a pool we have never been to because the positions in the pools nearby are all full.

I paid for training, certificates and uniforms. They said after he worked for some hours (like 100, I don’t remember), the pool will reimburse these costs. So, it is still called free training. Is this normal?

If he works for another pool next summer, should he do training again?
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 09:40     Subject: lifeguard
My then-16yo got the certification on his own and then got hired, 6 years ago. Never had additional training. Seems odd (and scary!) to hire someone who may not pass. Hopefully they use an independent instructor and not one working for/with the pool.
Anonymous
Post 06/07/2026 09:32     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:I would make sure they have actually agreed to hire him, and that there’s something in writing. It seems late to be just starting lifeguard training of any sort for the summer. But I agree it’s the pool’s problem to make sure he has the appropriate training.


DD’s lifeguard training doesn’t start until the 14th or 15th. Most of the new kids at the pool haven’t started training yet because they’re still in school and training is long hours after school.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 14:06     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would make sure they have actually agreed to hire him, and that there’s something in writing. It seems late to be just starting lifeguard training of any sort for the summer. But I agree it’s the pool’s problem to make sure he has the appropriate training.


Some of the private pool companies hire with not job. My kid got a job mid summer last year at a public pool.


What does it mean?
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 13:49     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:My 16-yr old will work as lifeguard for a pool this summer. So far, he was only told to register for some training sessions in the pool. It seems he can start working after finishing the training sessions. But, shouldn't lifeguards all get CPR/AED certified? Will that help? I don't mind paying him for CPR/AED.

Please share any experience if your kids have been lifeguards. Is there anything I should remind him?


It’s in the lifeguard training. A good pool will also offer regular training on top of it.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 13:49     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:I would make sure they have actually agreed to hire him, and that there’s something in writing. It seems late to be just starting lifeguard training of any sort for the summer. But I agree it’s the pool’s problem to make sure he has the appropriate training.


Some of the private pool companies hire with not job. My kid got a job mid summer last year at a public pool.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 13:45     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:They generally pay for and provide all necessary trainings. You don’t need to worry about it.


+1. CPR & AED training are part of the lifeguard training.


+2 my son is a lifeguard and all the training was paid for/taken care of as part of the certification process. They just told him when/where to show up.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 13:30     Subject: lifeguard
I would make sure they have actually agreed to hire him, and that there’s something in writing. It seems late to be just starting lifeguard training of any sort for the summer. But I agree it’s the pool’s problem to make sure he has the appropriate training.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 13:28     Subject: lifeguard
Anonymous wrote:They generally pay for and provide all necessary trainings. You don’t need to worry about it.


+1. CPR & AED training are part of the lifeguard training.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 12:33     Subject: lifeguard
They generally pay for and provide all necessary trainings. You don’t need to worry about it.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2026 12:32     Subject: lifeguard
My 16-yr old will work as lifeguard for a pool this summer. So far, he was only told to register for some training sessions in the pool. It seems he can start working after finishing the training sessions. But, shouldn't lifeguards all get CPR/AED certified? Will that help? I don't mind paying him for CPR/AED.

Please share any experience if your kids have been lifeguards. Is there anything I should remind him?